Artificial grass with dog

[WorthyOtter]

Were in the process of laying artificial grass. Our dog destroyed the grass we had so we've resorted to this. We've removed all the grass, dug down 10cm, and laid the weed membrane stuff. We're seeing conflicting things online about the next steps. Can anyone who's laid grass with a dog let us know what you steps you took next? Thanks

It's quite possible to have a less environmentally unfriendly grass free garden.

One of my friends has a Mediterranean garden with the odd paving stone on gravel (on a permeable membrane) and loads of low growing plants like Chamomile. The other option is to have just one patch of grass that can be cordoned off for the dog and train it to use that as the toilet.

You can also buy products that you can put on the grass to neutralise the urine.

A quick google found this:

https://caninenaturalcures.co.uk/products/green-peez-100ml-dog-urine-grass-repair-neutralise-dog-urine-grass?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21844657088

It doesn't have to be real grass vs fake plastic grass/concrete. There is a middle ground.

Sorry but that is like one of the gardens that is always showcased on the Shit Lawns account. Fake, grey and devoid of life.
No wonder we are having a nature crisis.

It also reminds me of those old school greengrocers shops they always have the citrus fruits on a plastic grass ‘carpet’ display

What a depressing garden.

Are you insane? Never used chemicals, never used fertiliser, the weather takes care of watering it (and in a drought we shouldn't waste water on a lawn anyway). Mow it once every 10 days during summer (and not at all during May) and it's fine.

Artificial turf is appalling for the environment and can't be recycled.

Only on an MN thread can a gardening topic descend into personal attacks

Oh dear - they are also using Jeyes Fluid to clean it! So run off from that too killing everything in its tracks.

In fairness, the OP came to the Gardening board to ask about covering her garden with plastic instead of plants. Talk about not reading the room.

Nah, still not ok to do personal insults

@BurntBroccoli no way??? I am truly horrified
That stuff is so toxic it should be banned like creosote is now

it can kill cats

@BurntBroccoli what can you expect from someone who spells ‘pour’ as ‘poor’ ? Or who seeks advice on using toxic chemicals from Facebook

I know 😞
This is the problem with fake plastic grass. It’s not just the product itself but the fact that people will start to use awful toxic cleaners on it.

@BurntBroccoli Chris Packham summed it up he calls it the `horticultural antichrist’

jeyes fluid is ABSOUTLEY horrendous, those poor dogs it has such a strong smell as well

Not as depressing as covering it in plastic.

Mediterranean garden > artificial grass

Paving stones with grass in between.

Looks neat and it's real grass.

Plastic grass is an abomination.

OP please reconsider. Some good alternatives on this thread. Plastic lawns are environmentally appalling (it’s the double whammy of ripping out something natural to replace with plastic) and also look so soulless.