Artificial grass - help!

[PennyPinkPineapple]

We've got artificial grass in our garden, about 11m2 of it. I don't like it but DH says it's more suitable than real grass as we have a dog.

I've just read a thread about how bad for the environment it is and seen other discussions about no mow May, wildlife in gardens etc and I've decided I want it GONE, like now!

DH has finally agreed we can get rid of it but 1) not until winter because you can't lay turf or grass seed in summer - no idea if this is true, and 2) we have to pay a professional to do it because it's hard work - again, no idea if this is true.

Whilst this discussion was taking place I got another waft of hot dog wee and said enough is enough, I'm doing it today. This has turned into an argument and I've been told I'm being reckless and impatient 🙄and the garden will be ruined by sun down.

Before I embarrass myself by starting something haven't got the strength or ability to finish, can anyone tell me if I can do this? I was just going to rip the AG up, take it to the dump and go and get some turf and unroll it and cut it into shape with probably a knife from the kitchen?

Depends very much on what's underneath.

I'd do the same as you Op - but no idea if it's the right thing to do or not! Astro turf is horrendous for the environment so grateful that you're fixing this!

Are you in a hosepipe ban area? Because turf needs a lot of water otherwise it'll dry out and die.

I actually grass seed, there's something about watching it grow from nothing.

But your garden will be a quagmire if it rains

I've had a look underneath a bit at the end and it seems like just sand. Will I have to get rid of the sand before I put anything on top?

Good choice op!
Grass doesn't grow in winter so doing it then will mean it is less likely to 'take' and integrate with the ground beneath.
Doing it in summer is better for it is growing season but you'll need to make sure it doesn't get too dry before it is established.

Doing it yourself is easy enough: order turf.
Hire a rotavator and turn the ground over.
Unroll turf in neat lines to cover the ground.

It's a physical job and takes time but not rocket science!

But if under your ag you've got stones and clay and god knows what you might need extra preparation first like a topping of top soil.

I'd just chick some top soil on top of the sand and throw some grass seed down me. But I'm lazy.

Awful stuff fake grass.

Fuck it, it's coming up.

Under the sand is likely a plastic sheet and under that - who knows? Hopefully just soil.

Lots of soils contain sand (Google loam), so turning it with a rotavator will mingle that in with the earth below and create a sandy loam.
Unless you've got a thick layer in which case might be worth taking some away.

And trying to do it in winter could be a nightmare as getting a long enough ferry down so it doesn't become a mud bath would be a challenge!

Go for it

Dry spell, not ferry down!

Hooray! You are a hero. Get it up.

It will be a big job. Your husband is correct that it won't look great tonight, you'll have to ditch the sand, add topsoil, rotivate and lay.

You'll struggle if there's a hose pipe ban or you plan to be away.

But yes! Go for it! Every inch returned to earth is a so precious. There are no excuses for artificial grass.

You'll struggle if there's a hose pipe ban or you plan to be away.

Sometimes (usually?) exemptions if you’ve laid a new lawn

Omg FANTASTIC!!! I have no bloody idea how this stuff is still being sold when they've banned plastic carrier bags and are charging us to use our cars! Brilliant OP, get it up. No other advice apart from to say well down and can we have a progress report ?

** done not down

In california people are getting rebates on their equivalent of council tax if they establish native flora instead of grass as they don't need watering so much.
Grasses with with wild native plants are so much more resilient as the roots are much deeper. I've always fancied a chamomile lawn (and intend to do that one day) but don't have a lawn at the moment.
Dandelions are to be welcomed as they enrich the soil and pave the way for other species, then comes clover (red clover fixes nitrogen so is very good for the soil and the microbiome in the soil). Every step we take is better for all the wildlife. You might find the baking heat you get from AG has fried things and your soil takes time to recover.

Hear hear!

There's an ants nest

Hopefully pics this time

Hooray,you have wildlife 😂

Good for you OP. Any chance of some before and after photos? Would be interesting to see.

Oh! Cross post!

Well done for taking it up, but maybe wait till the end of the summer. You won't be able to walk on new turf for several weeks, with the summer holidays coming up that could be a real pain. It will need regular watering when it's hot and dry, and may die if your away for a week and it's hot, or if you have a hosepipe ban. Also lawns generally establish best if sown of laid in autumn or spring when it's still mild but generally a bit damper.

Well done op. Rip that plastic crap up!

But yes it’s true to say now is not the time for laying turf- you need it to be wetter than it is right now. Spring and autumn is when it’s usually recommended.

It's like sand mixed with granite chippings. All up now!