Artificial grass may be seen as a convenient option for city gardens and areas where lawns won't grow, but it has its downsides. Read on to find out about the pros, cons, and alternative options...
Why do people choose artificial grass?
Artificial grass is widely seen as a low-maintenance option for our gardens, compared to the real thing. There are many reasons for choosing it, which might include a reluctance or inability to mow the lawn on a regular basis, or problems with growing grass, especially where much of the garden is shaded or liable to become waterlogged and muddy. It won't lose its appearance in a drought or hot weather and have unsightly bare patches, it saves water as it needs none, and won't fall prey to pests. The hardwearing nature of artificial grass means that it won't be churned up or damaged by children playing on it, dogs digging in it or rain weakening it, and even with minimal maintenance it can last for 15 years or more. For serious hayfever sufferers, it could be a relief from summer symptoms too, which is quite a big plus for much of the population. It's also quick to set up, and therefore a good solution for rental properties and temporary accommodation, as well as for people with concrete balconies or rooftop gardens where real grass isn't an option.
Disadvantages of artificial grass
Artificial grass is often made from polypropylene and polyethylene, which are certainly hard-wearing but not particularly environmentally friendly, and certainly not biodegradable. A common misconception is that artificial grass is a sustainable option, due to the fact it doesn't need watering, but its very materials rule it out. There are some options out there, however, made from mostly recycled plastic (such as Trulawn), and that are themselves recyclable, as garden designer Rosemary Coldstream recommends, and this at least mitigates the environmental impact.
Although some might see freedom from bugs and pests as an advantage, the focus in horticulture has increasingly shifted towards creating wildlife friendly gardens. These encourage a diverse ecosystem, and it helps to let lawns grow long and seed them with wildflowers to create a welcoming environment for birds and insects. Where there is no grass, there is no ecosystem for the wildlife to thrive, bees to prosper or insects to roam.
Artificial grass is also expensive to install, compared to the cost of grass seed. While you may save money on tools like lawnmowers and clippers, there will still be maintenance involved - as an artificial surface, everything that lands on it, like dog or bird poop and any food or drink spills, will have to be cleaned off the grass by hand, rather than degrading into the soil.
Lastly, unlike the cool surface of grass, artificial grass can heat up on hot days, making it a less than attractive surface to lounge or play on, and it can emit a rubbery smell in warm conditions. It can also melt if anything really hot, like barbecue coals, lands on it.
What are the alternatives?
If you struggle with a patchy lawn or you have shaded areas where grass doesn't thrive, consider going for more of a meadow feel by seeding the area with wildflowers. "Wildflowers, particularly perennial wildflowers, grow best in disturbed soil where grass is thin, so they’re perfect for filling any gaps in your lawn," say the team at Greenhouse People. "Simply rake the desired area and sprinkle over some seed. You won’t need to cover the soil since wildflowers need light to germinate." Unlike a crisply manicured lawn, areas of wildflower meadow are low maintenance, requiring less in the way of water and fertiliser.
If maintenance is the issue, a chamomile lawn can be a great alternative, says Rosemary Coldstream. These create a lush green look without the artificial feel of plastic grass, but they can only tolerate light foot traffic, so won't work well for play areas. There are plenty of other plants that work well for greening lightly used areas – moss is an obvious alternative, as well as sedum and rupturewort.
This story originally appeared on House & Garden UK.
