Astro Turf worth it ?

Dan103 · 17 Jul 2017 at 12:39

As title suggests I'm considering getting astro turf in our front garden to replace the sad excuse for grass.

Wanted to know anyone's experiences and whether they recommend or not recommend and why?

thanks.

Punt · 17 Jul 2017 at 14:51

We've got it in the back garden. Was there when we moved in 18 month ago. Kids play on it, they've got a swing and slide set and the 'grass' underneath is perfect. No maintenance, brush, blow or vacuum if you feel the need, we haven't.

I would 100% recommend it.

Saint · 17 Jul 2017 at 14:53

Yes, 100% recommend it.

Pros:

- Low maintenance. Just need to brush sand into it and hover it twice a year. It doesn't grow either.
- Looks good all year round
- Not affected by bad weather, so not muddy etc.
- If you get decent turf, its softer than normal grass
- Most is pet/child friendly. Easier to clear up pet 'mess' as it sits on the surface

Cons:
- Expensive

ChrisD. · 17 Jul 2017 at 15:19

I had my garden redone last year, I wish I would have spent the extra and got it.

joey1211 · 17 Jul 2017 at 15:21

Is it any wonder that butterfly and bird populations are dropping with people putting this stuff down instead of a few plants.

ChrisD. · 17 Jul 2017 at 15:23

joey1211 said:
Is it any wonder that butterfly and bird populations are dropping with people putting this stuff down instead of a few plants.

I highly doubt a few gardens here and there has made any difference.

dalehitchy1 · 17 Jul 2017 at 15:27

Not long bought a house and just took up the moss / weeds and seeded it. Looks great but wish o astro turfed it.... Dogs pee and poo is killing it already

Psycho Sonny · 17 Jul 2017 at 16:20

why do you need to hoover astro turf? it doesn't grow. if it sheds then just let it be. otherwise over time with enough hoovering it will need replaced.

joey1211 said:
Is it any wonder that butterfly and bird populations are dropping with people putting this stuff down instead of a few plants.

didn't know butterflies and birds ate grass

topgun06 · 17 Jul 2017 at 16:29

Psycho Sonny said:
didn't know butterflies and birds ate grass

They don't. But grass is the natural habitat of many insects which butterflies and birds do eat.

Fake grass isn't for me personally. I can see the pros of having it and yes, my garden would look superb, but there is just something about fake grass that doesn't sit right with me. Au Naturel for me

Psycho Sonny · 17 Jul 2017 at 16:32

topgun06 said:
They don't. But grass is the natural habitat of many insects which butterflies and birds do eat.

Fake grass isn't for me personally. I can see the pros of having it and yes, my garden would look superb, but there is just something about fake grass that doesn't sit right with me. Au Naturel for me

those same insects can just move to nearby flower beds, etc. so makes no difference.

or birds can just relocate to greener areas.

Dan103 · 17 Jul 2017 at 20:01

Punt said:
We've got it in the back garden. Was there when we moved in 18 month ago. Kids play on it, they've got a swing and slide set and the 'grass' underneath is perfect. No maintenance, brush, blow or vacuum if you feel the need, we haven't.

I would 100% recommend it.

Saint said:
Yes, 100% recommend it.

Pros:

- Low maintenance. Just need to brush sand into it and hover it twice a year. It doesn't grow either.
- Looks good all year round
- Not affected by bad weather, so not muddy etc.
- If you get decent turf, its softer than normal grass
- Most is pet/child friendly. Easier to clear up pet 'mess' as it sits on the surface

Cons:
- Expensive

Cheers for the recommendations

joey1211 said:
Is it any wonder that butterfly and bird populations are dropping with people putting this stuff down instead of a few plants.

I can see where your coming from but we will still have plant pots in the front and it will only be our front garden. We have a bigger back garden which will be keeping as grass due to having pet rabbits.

Dan103 · 17 Jul 2017 at 20:02

ChrisD. said:
I had my garden redone last year, I wish I would have spent the extra and got it.

This is our predicament either get lawn redone or astro turf and never have to worry about it . I hate gardening so its a reason I'm considering it

LeeUK · 17 Jul 2017 at 22:31

I can't see any pros to fake grass. Might as well just concrete your garden over and put a rug out.

Can't beat a nice proper lawn.

godinman · 18 Jul 2017 at 06:31

Not turning this into a big debate but large amounts of birds and insects are in decline precisely due to a lack of green spaces, it's not just as simple as moving to a new area what with territories and competition for food etc. It's this AstroTurf thing combined with lots of other things (unsympathetic farming methods, water course pollution, slug pellets, slabbing over grass etc) that combine and tip the balance between us living in reasonable harmony with nature and with us living in a sterile land all on our own.

Just my 2p at 6:30 in the morning.

roadie · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:16

Astro turf=chav

ChrisD. · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:26

roadie said:
Astro turf=chav

Not sure it's the sort of things chavs can afford.

Salty22 · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:28

How do you go about getting it done? I wouldn't mind quotes for mine tbh

LeeUK · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:28

Fake grass is one of those fads up there with TVs high up on the wall on chimney breasts.

Cleisthenes · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:39

ChrisD. said:
Not sure it's the sort of things chavs can afford.

You don't have to be poor to have chavy taste

Psycho Sonny · 18 Jul 2017 at 11:50

Salty22 said:
How do you go about getting it done? I wouldn't mind quotes for mine tbh

homebase and b&q sell it. just buy it and lay it out yourself. cut the edges off you don't need.