It’s that time of year again where many gardens get an upgrade just in time for Summer. Perhaps you’re stuck deciding between traditional turf, and the ever-popular artificial alternative? Both choices have their benefits, so in our latest blog, we thought we’d go through the pros and cons of each.
Things to think about before you decide
It’s important to think about what your garden is used for. Do you have pets? Do you have children that will play outside frequently? What is your budget? How much money do you want to spend on the maintenance of the lawn? Do you have the time for regular upkeep?
Once you have the answers to some of these questions, it will help you weigh up the pros and cons of both turf and artificial grass. So let’s get started.
Price of artificial grass vs turf
There’s no way around it, turning your lawn artificial would have a significantly higher start-up cost. Fake turf itself is much more expensive than real turf. (We know there are cheap artificial grass options out there, but trust us, it’s just not worth it!)
One square metre of lawn turf can start from just £3, whereas a middle-range artificial turf starts from £20+ per square metre.
Despite what you may think, laying an artificial lawn is not just a case of rolling it out like a huge rug. Depending on your current gardens properties, there are many different ways to lay the lawn, from the foundations to the framework.
Turf: 1 Artificial grass: 0
This transformation was in one of six new build properties where the natural lawn just wasn’t able to thrive due to poor soil conditions. Our team worked hard installing artificial turf to all six gardens, creating a much brighter, cleaner space to enjoy!
Maintaining artificial grass vs real grass
The main reason there’s been such a boom in the sales of artificial grass is that it requires a lot less upkeep than real grass. This is especially true for people in suburban areas with smaller gardens. Real grass lawns cannot deal with high traffic. This means that after one barbecue this summer, your lawn may look like it hosted two weeks of Wimbledon.
To keep the grass looking good, it’s important to brush and wash down the artificial turf occasionally to keep it looking and smelling fresh especially if you have pets.
Turf: 1 Artificial grass: 1
Biodiversity and environmental factors
Plastic grass is exactly what it says on the tin… plastic. It doesn’t offer a homely environment for wildlife and contributes to the ever-growing amount of plastic in our landfills when you’re done with it.
Real grass, on the other hand, absorbs dust and carbon dioxide, and in return gives us oxygen through photosynthesis. It houses a wealth of wildlife, from spiders to ants and earthworms. An area of real grass measuring 2,500 square feet produces enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe. An average-sized healthy lawn can capture as much as 300 pounds of carbon per year and a golf course fairway can capture 1,500 pounds per year!
Turf: 2 artificial grass: 1
So, should you fake it, or not?
If you’re fed up with your patchy lawn, or if you feel like it’s in need of some TLC, then perhaps the first thing to do would be to consult with your local gardening services provider to see if there’s anything that can be done to bring your lawn back to life. Our professional team of experienced gardeners are passionate about all things horticulture and would love nothing more than to help bring your gardens back to their former glory. Upkeep and cost are the two main factors that are going to influence your decision, and we hope this blog has helped you make your mind up! If you would like a consultation to see what work is needed in your garden, then please do get in touch, or follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more examples of what we can offer you.
