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?

What are you going to do with the grass you've ripped up. Surely that will now end up in landfill.

I’m terms of how difficult it is to lay turf, it’s just hard work, not a particularly skilled job when I did it. Hard part is preparing the soil underneath, it needs to be free from as many weed roots, fairly finely raked and also it helped my turf by adding bonemeal fertiliser (a bit of googling told me this)

I think half the problem with the environmental issue surrounding artificial turf is the disposal of it....

I also fear that if you get some heavy storms in the next day or two you'll have a mud bath for a garden.

My hero 💕

Sometimes just digging over with a fork and smoothing any clumps can work instead of hiring a rotavator. It depends how fit you are and how much money you have.

Even if there is a hosepipe ban you are still allowed a watering can. Again, time and effort, but doable.

Like me, you may find that underneath is hardcore and rubble and no soil. Let us know how you progress please

DH is now on board, he is loosening it all up and I'm off to the garden centre. I quite liked the suggestion of topsoil and seeds and just seeing what happens. If that doesn't work, turf it'll be.

Get rid op! Literally anything else underneath is better than that awful stuff. I think advertisements for it should be banned it’s dreadful. The product itself too but sadly I think that’s unlikely in the near future.

The plastic is difficult to dump. But a real lawn, including seed (cheaper) can be made in the autumn. We have a dog, we have a real lawn

Well done!
Now think carefully about what you want down and what your needs are.

Do you have time to be maintaining a lawn? Normal grass seed are not your only option anymore, Would planting something like clover or another low growing grassesque plant be better? It's lower maintainence as only grows 5cm but great for pollinators.
Do you have children who want a place to kick a ball? In that case you might want turf.

Or do you just want to sit out there in the evenings watching wildlife, so digging a pond and sowing just a wildflower/grass seed mix and putting a nice slabbed walkway through might be more suitable (once you wildflower you'll never get a pristine lawn back). Wild flowers grow best in crappy, low fertile sandy soil so could be a good option. But tall flowers and grasses increase the risk of ticks that might not be great for your dog.

Well done! 🌎

Even if it looks shite for weeks at least you can loosen the soil and it'll get rain at some point. The wildlife will start work on it too if you get some areas damp.

Shamelessly placemarking. Well done OP, I would love to see some before photos and some in a few months time when you hopefully have a lovely lawn.

Well done OP! The more people who rip this awful crap up, the better.

Dog proof grass seed! What a find. Got some wildflower mix and six bags of topsoil.

Brilliant OP! Fake grass should be banned, it's atrocious. Really glad you've got rid of it and good luck with your hopefully soon to be wildlife haven 💕

Reseed with low growing clover. It stays green, can be mown and is hard wearing die dogs! I have seven and more when others visit!

Yes, you can do it OP. Will make a huge difference to wildlife wellbeing in your garden 😀

OP you're todays hero!

Do a small test pit to see how far the sand/shingle mix goes and to check whether there's a sheet/membrane beneath it. The sand/shingle will give good drainage, the risk is that it might be too good. You'll want a good 10cm of top soil.

Put at least three times the amount of seed on than it recommends. So there’s enough left to grow after the birds have eaten some.
when the grass starts to grow. At this time of year it will need watering carefully. Put more grass seed on. Then you’ll get a nice thick lawn. If it looks thin at any point you can put compost and grass seed in the thin bits.

You should offer the stuff you've taken up on Freecycle or Gumtree or something - at least that way it's not going to landfill, and it'll save someone else from buying it new and putting more of it into the world.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Put at least three times the amount of seed on than it recommends. So there’s enough left to grow after the birds have eaten some.

Agree with this. A third for the birds, a third that fails and a third that grows. My lawn is very hard-wearing but I have clover, buttercups, daisies and other "weeds". They all work together so the bees and humans are happy (even better you get to mow less 😂)

Fair play OP 👏👏 Really impressed you decided Fuck It and got on with it 👍😅

Finished 🥵 blimey I'm hot.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We turned it all over with a hoe and a rake, mixed in a load of soil improver then put top soil on top. Scattered grass seed, wild flower seeds, and some other random stuff I found in the cupboard (cat grass, cat mint and some lavender). Light raking and a light watering. I'm going to see if I can get some clover seeds too. Then wait and see!

I hadn't thought about the AG going to landfill, I assumed it could be recycled but probably not. I've rolled it up and hidden it down the side of the house for now. I'm not sure if anyone would want it because it absolutely stinks. I think I'll unroll it tomorrow and wash it to see if I can get the smell out, then once dry post it on FB marketplace and see if anyone wants it. Interestingly, it seems to be the local garden centres floor covering of choice, maybe they'll take it off my hands 🤣

I'm off for a cold shower and a G&T. I'll post before and after pictures in a bit!

We’ll done 👏 also artificial grass can be too hot for dog paws.