Artificial grass?

[AHungryCaterpillar]

I’ve got an area in my garden that’s just awful, whoever lived here before me has for some reason laid patio on a slope! Meaning it’s uneven and can’t be walked on, can’t put grass there as it’s a shaded area and under a huge tree so be told it won’t grow. I was thinking of putting some artificial grass down there, would this be a good solution as at the moment the area is unusable? nothing can go on there and you can’t walk on it.

One other consideration I’d you lay artificial grass… if you were ever thinking of selling your house, you have to consider that some people will factor in the cost of removal into any offer they make.

May not be an issue if it’s just a corner, but I, certainly, would be one person who would drop any offer to take account of the ££ required to rip it out and make good with something natural. .

I’ve got artificial grass myself so am not anti. BUT it really takes a lot of preparation of the surface underneath before it’s laid, otherwise it will wrinkle and won’t drain well. It’s quite expensive (if you get it done) or time consuming (if you do it yourself) and for a small section under a tree I’m not sure it’s worth it. Plus it will look more fake there as grass doesn’t grow under conifers!

A piece of grass made from recyclable materials, with a ten year lifespan that doesn’t need fertilising, weed n feed, watering or mowing, particularly with a petrol mower, isn’t such a bad thing for the environment.

Don’t forget that a lawn requires maintenance, chemicals, power/fuel.

But a moss lawn which many posters are recommending requires little maintenance and no mowing at all.

No, it's gross.
Work with nature. Whether it's moss or patchy grass and dandelions. We're responsible for looking after our own patch of the environment. Not putting plastic over it because it's muddy or doesn't grow perfect grass.

short a lawn doesn't require chemicals. I've never weeded my lawn. I run a push along mower over it once or twice a month. The dandelions and daisies are left alone.

My previous lawns did require plenty of maintenance, and, a petrol mower.

I think fake grass is a solution for some.

Everything has an environmental impact, do all these people who think it’s gross use fabric conditioner? Because a family using fabric conditioner for a year would be far worse for the environment than a ten year piece of recycled fake grass.

A moss lawn is generally light use only IME so I can’t see how that would work for the OP who wants her kid’s slide etc on it.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

A piece of grass made from recyclable materials, with a ten year lifespan that doesn’t need fertilising, weed n feed, watering or mowing, particularly with a petrol mower, isn’t such a bad thing for the environment.

Don’t forget that a lawn requires maintenance, chemicals, power/fuel.

So at the end of its life, what do you do with it?

artificialgreens.org/can-artificial-grass-be-recycled/

We don’t want this
eu.ydr.com/in-depth/news/2019/11/18/old-artificial-turf-fields-pose-huge-waste-problem-environmental-concerns-across-nation/2314353001/

You still need water to clean it. You still need to sand it. You will still get weeds. It still needs maintenance. Especially if you have pets.

I was never keen on them as many I’ve seen were ‘cheap’ ones and not laid properly. I stumbled across an account on Twitter (shit lawns) that highlighted the environmental impact of artificial turf. That was an eye opener.

Fake grass on a slope doesn’t sound ideal, likely to be slippy. If you want to use the area for storage get in touch with a local tree surgeon and ask them to deliver a truck load of woodchip (free or some charge c.£50) then you cover the area cheaply and easy to store stuff on top. Over time it will break down be full of nutrients and you could then sow grass seed over the top. Or just top up with more woodchip.

Everything has an environmental impact, do all these people who think it’s gross use fabric conditioner? Because a family using fabric conditioner for a year would be far worse for the environment than a ten year piece of recycled fake grass

No, I don’t use fabric conditioner. But my concern with fake lawns is more than ‘just’ micro plastics.

My major concern with them is that they stop animals feeding… birds, hedgehogs, insects… so many. . We’re gradually decimating our natural environment.

I don’t do anything to mine, the rain ‘cleans’ it, why does it need cleaning? I pull out weeds by hand as they grow and it looks great.

Haven’t thought about what I’ll do at the end of its life as I’m three years in and it looks like new.

There are lots of things that aren’t recycled in life. My tiny piece of grass made from recycled materials isn’t going to change the world.

My lifestyle is pretty sustainable on a daily basis. As I said, does everyone vilifying fake grass live a super sustainable life? I doubt it!!!

I’m happy with my small piece of grass when weighed up against the alternatives.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

My previous lawns did require plenty of maintenance, and, a petrol mower.

I think fake grass is a solution for some.

Everything has an environmental impact, do all these people who think it’s gross use fabric conditioner? Because a family using fabric conditioner for a year would be far worse for the environment than a ten year piece of recycled fake grass.

A moss lawn is generally light use only IME so I can’t see how that would work for the OP who wants her kid’s slide etc on it.

Whataboutery is unhelpful imo.

Is plastic grass environmentally negative? Yes.
Is fabric conditioner relevant to that discussion? No.

FWIW, I don't use fabric conditioner or have plastic grass. Does that make me a higher being? No.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

A piece of grass made from recyclable materials, with a ten year lifespan that doesn’t need fertilising, weed n feed, watering or mowing, particularly with a petrol mower, isn’t such a bad thing for the environment.

Don’t forget that a lawn requires maintenance, chemicals, power/fuel.

A lawn doesn't require chemicals or power/fuel.

Yes it does - feed/weed/watering in dry spells, petrol or other fuel for mowing.

I think whataboutery is relevant here because the environmental impact of a small peice of grass is a drop in the ocean compared to the impact of things that people choose to do in the scheme of life.

Until governments have the balls to introduce legislation to ban everything which we know is harmful to the environment, surely it is our responsibility to make as many wise decisions as we can on behalf of the planet, future generations and all the animals we share it with who have no say in the damage we are causing by the way we live our lives? None of us is perfect, we can't always get it right but I really believe that if you know something is a bad choice environmentally you should try and find an alternative. Justifying a bad purchase because other people drive cars, or use fabric conditioner really isn't going to help anything.

Surely putting fertiliser and weed killer on lawns is a minority thing, at least nowadays? And watering, well it depends on the weather where you live and how much you care about it staying green through a heatwave. If you don’t water, it will grow back green afterwards!

I am happy with my choice.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

A piece of grass made from recyclable materials, with a ten year lifespan that doesn’t need fertilising, weed n feed, watering or mowing, particularly with a petrol mower, isn’t such a bad thing for the environment.

Don’t forget that a lawn requires maintenance, chemicals, power/fuel.

Never put any chemicals anywhere near a lawn. Mow it occasionally with an electric mower.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

Yes it does - feed/weed/watering in dry spells, petrol or other fuel for mowing.

I think whataboutery is relevant here because the environmental impact of a small peice of grass is a drop in the ocean compared to the impact of things that people choose to do in the scheme of life.

No it doesn't, I have never put artifical feed or chemicals on my lawn, and I do not use a powered mower. You are describing choices, not requirements.

Whataboutery is never relevant.

Every individual choice we make is small.

@Christienne

Everything has an environmental impact, do all these people who think it’s gross use fabric conditioner? Because a family using fabric conditioner for a year would be far worse for the environment than a ten year piece of recycled fake grass

No, I don’t use fabric conditioner. But my concern with fake lawns is more than ‘just’ micro plastics.

My major concern with them is that they stop animals feeding… birds, hedgehogs, insects… so many. . We’re gradually decimating our natural environment.

Agree; the wildlife/eco-system aspect is of great concern. Some things are more important than a kiddie play area.

Ironically it's those kids who are going to bear the brunt of today's utter disregard for the environment.

Found this article with some lovely planting inspiration for shady gardens:

www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/gardening/best-plants-for-shade-garden-london-b995470.html?amp