Fake grass- yay or nay?

[ReganSomerset]

We're looking to sell in a few years and are currently sorting out the garden. I'd quite like to put fake grass down and it would probably be easier than laying it to lawn properly, but I'm concerned it might put buyers off in future. What do you think?

I have it cleaned and disinfected regularly

That makes me feel a bit ill.

We've just had it. It looks fabulous!

On a small area where it's almost impossible to grow a nice lawn

I did consider it for this. Our tiny lawn will
not actually ever stay a lawn because it is surrounded by big trees that suck all the goodness out of the ground. We've worked really hard on it over the years. But I'll probably give up and just ignore it now the children are big and not interested in the garden.

I thought people were supposed to be more environmental now, especially if they have children. The birds in my garden peck around in the real lawn looking for insects. Plastic lawns should be banned

I love a 'real' garden and don't like vast swathes of concrete, pebbles, tarmac etc so it's a no for me. Having said that I know people who have fake grass and love it.

Another vote for no, in my opinion they just look odd. Very bad for the environment, grass serves the purposes of soaking up rainwater and supports wildlife. I used to love it when my parents would cut the grass and I love doing it now, the smell of freshly cut grass is beautiful.

We have a very small garden, and were plagued by ground elder, it was impossible to keep on top of we got fake grass and have put in beds with lots of bee attracting plants. It is very nice and people genuinely think it's grass. I would only use it for a small area.

Big fat no for me, we should be encouraging wildlife not adding more fake plastic to the world.

I’m not a fan

No. Horrible fake stuff, why would anyone think coating the ground in plastic is a good idea I don’t know.

Horrible stuff. Leaches plastic when it rains, disrupts the mini ecosystem. Only place for it in my opinion is on tiny patches with no sun if gravel isn't an option. Don't agree with the argument that it saves electricity from lawn mowing when I frequently see artificial grass owners vacuuming their outside 'carpet'.

I visited a childminder once whose garden was entirely fake grass so she could steam clean it every morning to keep it hygienic for the children. I was

It's not for me.

Fake grass is hideous. It would also be a marker indicating a shady, damp garden to me. It would and is a massive deterrent on a house.

I also think they should be banned. If you have a tiny bit of lawn, grow a carpeting plant that you can walk on. No maintenance and better for the environment.

It's interesting the number of people who have it, but really wish people to think it's real. I think that says it all really.

I guess it's like having a fake Chanel bag, and also wanting people to believe it's real.

Awful stuff. If you really can’t grow anything at all on an area then put gravel down. At least give wildlife a chance.

I love mine. I have a very small garden with terrible soil and despite many attempts (and a lot of money) couldn't get grass to grow. The lawn always looked patchy and unloved.

I decided to get artificial grass laid, but also added gravel sections and patio areas. I then added loads of plants in pots, climbing plants to the fence/trellis and even small potted trees. My garden now looks great and I spend loads more time outside.

Plenty of birds and insects visit my garden and I now spend my time and money in my garden on gorgeous plants rather than on grass that was never going to grow. I love it and have had lots of lovely compliments about my garden.

It wouldn't put me or my family off. They prefer it. Less work. No cutting grass, no patchiness, no mud.

I can understand if you have a such a tiny space that it wouldn't be worth buying a lawn mower for but I wouldn't want it for a normal sized lawn.

My sister in law has it and it makes me sad. When we went to her's for a BBQ it felt like we were sitting inside a fake garden display area in Homebase - especially with the little plastic mini picket fence style edging.

She loves it and hoovers it if it gets any debris on it. It looks neat and tidy and she does love everything to be neat and tidy at all times so it suits her.

Also why wouldn't wildlife come to garden with fake grass? The holiday house we went to near the sea had loads of insects there, because as well as the fake grass they had separated sections with real soil (like a border) that was elevated go waist height with real plants and flowers. There were loads of bees and butterflies and the like.

God no!

Don’t like it, would definitely find it off-putting.

I have loads of tubs with plants and flowers and my garden is haven of wildlife.

Of course, no mess heaven forbid you have to tidy up the odd grass clipping, meanwhile insect and plant diversity goes down the pan and we continue to fuck over our planet. But no worries hey, because it means less mess and less work.

Well my grandparents are elderly now and have various health problems that mean they don't want a fussy garden of to do any garden work at all tbh. They don't want stone/paved over because if they had a fall (granddad has a few) it would cause more damage, also if their young great-grandkids knocked their head when playing in the garden. So soft fake grass it is.

@Bamb00 I know the wee problem well. Have a look at Top Dog Turf - they sell an enzyme cleaner which is much better.