Artificial Grass

[Nik2879]

We have a small back garden at the moment its a step to the grass. The lawn isnt flat and the grass does flood a lot so doesn’t always look the best. Thinking of getting artificial grass as we also have a toddler. Has anyone got this recently and can recommend the best type of grass to get thats the most realistic please? Ideally Id rather keep real grass but I think we would have to dig it all up and start again.

[AppleBirdBrush]

You said you'd rather keep the real grass, what is it that makes you think you need to compromise on artificial grass? In what way do you think it will be better for your toddler? I've heard it can get really hot so is unusable in high temperatures. There's also the environmental issue that you may or may not feel comfortable with.

You'd need to dig up and flatten off anyway, I'm no expert but I imagine fake grass would be less forgiving on an uneven surface. I can't see it would be less initial faff or cost to re-turf if that's your preference?

Sorry if I've misunderstood, I can't help with recommendations if you are set on artificial.

[greenacrylicpaint]

if you put a similar amount of effort you would to install plastic grass into installing drainage etc you are able to keep the real grass.

[Neverendingdust]

Keep the real grass. Artificial is terrible for the environment and it’s fake, you may as well just concrete your garden and put a rug down!

[Nik2879]

I think we just dont have very good soil for real grass its full of moss and looks a bit brown and the grass floods if we have heavy rain.

[BiscoffSundae]

You won’t get support for artificial grass on here unfortunately

[squashyhat]

The soil needs preparation but it's not that onerous. There are loads of YouTube videos showing you what to do. And the turf-supply companies (I recommend turf rather than seed) provide guides as well. You can get hard-wearing mixes designed for gardens that get lots of wear. I can personally recommend turfgrowers.co.uk - very pleased with delivery and quality.

[ChardonnaysBeastlyCat]

You won’t get support for artificial grass on here unfortunately

Why unfortunately?

[FAQs]

It’ll make the flooding worse unless you add drainage, you’re better with real grass rather than carpet.

[QuestionableMouse]

Do a miss lawn. Miles better than plastic grass!

www.homesandgardens.com/news/moss-garden

[Seeleyboo]

It gets so hot to the point of not being able to walk on it. It harbours smells, like dog pee etc. Very difficult to get bird poop off as its melted into it. Lasts about 2 years looking nice. Mine lasted 2 years and i would never get it again.

[Nik2879]

Really thats good to know. Definitely would be happy if after 2 years it looked rubbish. Might have to just dig up the lawn and start again then.

[ItsSnowJokes]

We have artificial grass as nothing grew and we had a mud pit! Even moss didn't grow here.

If you go for a high quality grass and also have the proper sub base put in it will last years and years. Most installers offer at least a 10-15 year guarantee (we got a 12 year guarantee on ours). My advice is get it professionally installed. Also it is not zero maintenence. It still needs brushing etc..... and we have a "service" on it every 2 years and they come and power brush it and get it looking like new. Ours also doesn't get that hot and I can walk on it in bare feet even in a heat wave. Again you need a very high quality grass.

A lot of MN hate artificial grass though, so you won't get a fair view on it.

[megletthesecond]

What's the problem with moss and brown grass? The grass will help soak up water too.
Don't ruin your environment.

[QueenieL1]

Your toddler won't be a toddler for long though.

[senua]

@Nik2879

I think we just dont have very good soil for real grass its full of moss and looks a bit brown and the grass floods if we have heavy rain.

What are your neighbours' lawns like?

[Nik2879]

All our other neighbours havent got grass. Even one else on this side of the road have just got flag stones. Dont know about over the road.

[Nik2879]

Thanks good to here from someone who has it.

[carefullycourageous]

Plastic grass rubbish and is absolutely shit for the environment. Of course there won't be support on here!

Don't do it OP, there is something about plastic grass that just screams 'my soul is dead'.

[gerispringer]

Artificial grass will not decompose for 500 years but will look rubbish after a couple of years. You have to brush up leaves and dust so it’s not maintenance free. It’s terrible for insect life and should be banned in my opinion.

[carefullycourageous]

Should read 'looks rubbish'

[minipie]

There’s always lots of hate for artificial grass on MN.

We have it in our postage stamp size garden and it’s great. Our real lawn was full of ants nests, bare patches and weeds. We use the garden so much more now. Had it 3 years and looks as good as new.

However, if you want it to sit well and last well, it does require a lot of ground prep before you lay it especially if the ground is prone to flooding. You ideally need a professional to lay it. So it’s really not a cheap option.

And yes, it does get hot in summer if you are S facing.

[Tessasanderson]

Does it get hot - No it warms up and can actually maintain some heat so becomes a bit like having underfloor heating. Never ever witnessed it getting too hot to comfortably walk bare foot

Does it smell - Had artificial grass for 15 years. 5 of them with 2 dogs. No it doesnt smell. The grass is permiable, the pee drains into the subsurface and anything else is washed away, much like normal lawns. The only sub point to this is our installer recently commented not to have the thick membrane underneath. It makes the grass feel softer but would soak up dog pee and 'possibly' smell in the long run. We took his advice but our last artificial lawn of 14yrs had it down and we had no issues.

Does it flood - Well it is fully permiable (There are big holes in the material) so if you are getting flooding now, then you will get flooding with artificial. If you lay a proper surface for it then you will not have any issues. If you lay it on top of a poorly draining surface (Patio, clay etc) then of course it will flood.

[007DoubleOSeven]

I don't agree with artificial grass but I know someone who had it put down because they couldn't keep up with the floor and paw cleaning from their dog and cat in winter who seemed to bring an huge amount of mud every day.

They have health issues which limit their ability to do lots of cleaning daily, which is what was needed.

It's not ideal but in the circumstances it was the best option for them.

[Drive43]

'Artificial' grass is a misnomer. It's plastic. Who in their right minds wants to cover the earth with plastic?!

[minipie]

Yes, it’s plastic and definitely a lot worse environmentally than real grass, no two ways about that. However I’m not sure concrete or porcelain paving slabs are much different and yet those don’t get nearly the same level of vitriol on here.