Released On 13th Jun 2024

Real or Artificial? Battle of The Grasses

In the UK, we love our lawns. They’re a point of pride, and an oddly common topic of conversation in the warmer months. Talking about cutting the grass, treating it for weeds, or how long it’s grown should really be considered national pastimes at this point.

Yes, that small green plant that has a way of sprouting everywhere is the most popular garden plant in the country. Most gardens have grass in some fashion, whether that’s a full lawn or just a strip of it to enjoy on a sunny day. But is your beautiful green lawn made from real grass, or is it hiding a secret?

Artificial lawns have been on the rise in the last few years, especially since the quality of artificial turf has improved so dramatically. In many cases, you might not even realise that the grass you’re standing on is fake! Which leaves a difficult decision this year – do you want real grass, or artificial? Here are the main things you will need to consider.

Cost

This is one of the biggest considerations when people are trying to choose between real and artificial grasses. Generally, real grass is cheaper to put in place (especially if you already have real grass there). But it can be more expensive to maintain in the long run.

Artificial grass is very much the opposite. It has a higher up-front cost to install, but it’s much more cost-effective in the long run, since it doesn’t need as much maintenance and isn’t replaced as often as natural grass would need to be.

Looks

This is one we can’t help you with! Some people prefer the natural look of grass, while others like the more uniform appearance that artificial turf gives their lawn. It’s really down to personal preference.

Maintenance

There are undoubtedly a lot of maintenance commitments involved in real grass. It needs regular watering, mowing and fertilising to stay healthy and look its best. This can be a time-consuming and costly, as well as being incredibly seasonal. If you’re time-poor or don’t have the ability to commit to this level of maintenance, then you might be leaning more towards artificial grass.

Bear in mind though that there is still some maintenance involved here too. It will need occasional cleaning, especially during drier months. You’ll need to remove any leaves that fall onto the grass, and keep an eye out for any weeds. Yes, artificial grass can get weeds too! It’s just as susceptible to airborne seeds as normal grass, so applying weed killer twice a year to keep them at bay. Over time some of the turn might get worn down and need replacing as well.

Health & Environmental Impacts

Natural grass has some hidden environmental impacts that not many people know about. For example, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the environment, and providing natural sound deadening in the area. It can also help reduce the temperature in the area, improve your soil quality and reduce erosion in your area. But on the flip side, maintaining grass lawns often needs chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to human health as well.

However, artificial grass has some environmental positives too. It eliminates the need for watering and cutting, which reduces the strain on local and national resources like electricity, water and petrol, making it a much eco-friendlier option in the long run. Though, it is made from synthetic materials and can’t be recycled, which isn’t ideal.

Durability and Lifespan

Natural grass lawns can last anywhere from a few years to a couple of decades, depending on how well it’s maintained. It will need to be reseeded or replanted, or overseeded during that time to keep it healthy. The area you’re in and weather conditions play a big part in how long your grass can last too, as it can be damaged by flooding, intense heat and even heavy objects.

Artificial grass can last between 7-15 years, and is much easier to maintain and replace along the way.

How to Choose the Right Lawn for You

But just in case, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you decide:

What will the lawn space be used for?

How much time each week can you dedicate to caring for the lawn?

How much money do you want to spend on maintaining the lawn?

Will your children or animals want to use the lawn space regularly

Does your lawn area struggle with airflow, light or shade?

The key really is to know what you want to do with your lawn space. Once you’ve decided that, the rest is easy. At CMA Garden Design we can supply and fit all types of grass, from artificial grass to real turf, professionally fitted to make your garden look fantastic. If you have any questions, or would like to know more, just get in touch with the team today.