Tag: artificial lawn

Benefits of having artificial grass

Benefits of having artificial grass

In many instances, having artificial grass is a wise decision as it offers many benefits when compared to natural turf. It allows you to enjoy a clean, durable, beautiful looking lawn all year round. You also do not have to worry about the perennial problem of hose-pipe bans. If you’re still not convinced, here are some benefits of installing artificial grass.

Eliminates puddling

Before installing natural turf, the ground needs to be prepared; time must be taken to roll and smooth out lumps & bumps. Doing so helps remove valleys and grooves that would otherwise attract stagnant water. Integral to the design of artificial grass are small irrigation channels to drain excess water away, preventing pooling in low areas.

No maintenance

One positive outcome to installing artificial turf is that it requires very little maintenance – unlike living turf. The time and energy saved by not weeding and mowing regularly can be spent on more enjoyable and relaxing gardening activities.

No ruts or bare spots

Heavy foot traffic on natural grass causes bare spots and furrows in lawned areas. Imitation grass is extremely resilient, resisting constant pressure when walked upon regularly. Artificial blades of grass bounce back time and again when trampled.

No marks or stains

Children can play on synthetic grass with ease. You don’t need to worry about them getting mud or grass stains on their shoes and clothes.

Extremely safe

Pets and children can play, sit or even sleep on artificial lawn worry-free. It’s soft to the touch and cushions if they fall. Reputed artificial grass suppliers can provide artificial turf with anti-bacterial properties. Thus, it helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and germs.

Shade’s not an issue

Shaded areas generally don’t support healthy, natural grass growth. Hence, grasses in such areas fade and die leaving the ground barren, hard and unattractive. On the other hand, simulated turf doesn’t require any direct sunlight. Even in shady areas, synthetic lawn works amazingly as it can maintain its size and colour with/without water and sunlight.

Recreational areas

There are many recreational areas such as tennis courts, bowling greens and patios where artificial turf can be installed to great effect. It’s designed to withstand heavy and regular use. In addition, it can be cut and shaped to fit unusual spaces.

No need for harsh fertilisers

Artificial plants can look beautiful throughout the seasons; it doesn’t become patchy or overgrown. Also, it doesn’t require any regular feeding or fertilising. The turf will remain toxin-free, green and lush looking for years. On the other hand, harsh fertilisers used on natural grass can smell and may cause disastrous effects on the local environment. It leads to algae overgrowth in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

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Going for artificial flowers and turf in your garden

Going for artificial flowers and turf in your garden | H is for Home

Many people discount artificial grass and flowers for their garden because they assume that it will make their outside space look cheap and tacky. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Artificial outdoor products have come on laps & bounds over the years, and they’re a lot better than they once were. In fact, in many cases, you’d struggle to tell the difference between artificial turf and the real thing!

There are many benefits to be gained by getting in touch with a company like DDS Landscaping for artificial turf services. Of course, one of the main plus points is that it’s going to make your garden a lot easier to look after. You won’t need to worry about spending a lot of time and money on the upkeep of your outdoor space. Instead, once the grass has been installed, it pretty much looks after itself. There’ll only be a very small amount of maintenance required on your part. No matter the time of year or the weather outside, you can be certain of grass that looks well cared for and vibrant.

Artificial primulas

Why are artificial flowers good for outdoors?

When it comes to decorating your garden space, there are many different options from which to choose. However, one of the key decisions you need to make is whether to plant fresh flowers or go for artificial blooms instead. In this section, we’ll reveal the reasons why artificial flowers for outdoors can be advantageous. Read on to discover everything you need to know.

There are many benefits associated with outdoor artificial flowers, with the first being that these flowers are able to withstand the unpredictable UK weather. From snow to rain to hail, you won’t have to worry about your blooms being damaged once the elements start wreaking havoc. The same cannot be said for live flowers.

Another positive aspect is that you can save a lot of money by going down this route. You won’t need to replant your flowers as frequently, and thus you won’t spend as much. You’ll have a greater selection of flowers at your disposal too.

With fresh blooms, you’re always going to be restricted to what’s in season or suitable for the climate. However, there are none of these limitations with artificial flowers. Artificial blooms are also ideal for those who don’t have the inclination or time to dedicate to taking care of their garden, as they require very little maintenance.

More and more people are purchasing artificial flowers for outdoor use, as they simply do not have the time to dedicate to looking after their garden. However, when purchasing artificial blooms, you need to do so with care, which is why we have put this guide together. Read on to discover everything you need to know about where and how to buy artificial flowers.

It’s easy to buy outdoor artificial flowers from the internet. You’ll have a much greater selection available to you if you go down this route. It’s likely that you’ll be able to find whatever flowers you have your sights set on and discover others that you didn’t know existed. Moreover, you can read reviews and compare various products & prices against one and other with ease.

Questions to ask yourself include what colour scheme are you going for? Do you want to recreate a traditional cottage garden, tropical rainforest or desert landscape? Do you want to display them in plant pots or hanging baskets?

The scope of designs using artificial flowers and turf is almost limitless!

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DIY: how to install artificial grass in your garden

DIY: how to install artificial grass in your garden | H is for Home

Want to keep your garden green all year ’round but could do without the added expense of hiring workmen so soon after Christmas? What if we told you that you could have a lush landscape in under two days? No workmen required! Installing artificial grass is one of the quickest and easiest home DIY projects and it leaves you with a beautiful garden whatever the weather. Find out how to lay artificial grass in six simple steps with this handy guide from Artificial Grass Direct.

Small area laid with artificial grass lawn

What you’ll need:

  • Artificial grass (enough to cover your desired area)
  • Sand (enough to cover your desired area in a 35mm layer)
  • A shovel or builder’s plank to compact sand (or a vibrating plate compactor for larger gardens)
  • Weed membrane (enough to cover your desired area)
  • Fibreglass backing tape
  • Multi-purpose adhesive
  • Craft knife

Paved path running through artificial grass lawn

Step one: Measurements

Work out the size of the area you want to cover with artificial grass in square meters and remember to leave space for features like ponds, so you don’t end up with too much artificial turf. Make sure you allow some extra lawn length for a small amount of wastage depending on the design of your garden and how the rolls are laid.

Lawn laid with artificial grass with Wendy house and slide at the bottom of the garden

Step two: Preparation

Never lay your artificial grass on top of natural grass as this can cause rot and leave you with an unsightly and uneven artificial lawn! For best results, we advise laying your artificial grass on a layer of compacted sharp sand. In smaller gardens, sand can easily be compacted with the back of a shovel or a builder’s plank. For larger areas you try using a vibrating plate compactor (available to rent at most garden equipment hire centres).

Lawn and roof with artificial grass installed

Step three: Weed membrane

Next up, you’ll want to lay a layer of weed membrane over the sand to stop any pesky seeds finding their way in whilst you continue your installation. This will prevent any new vegetation growing underneath your artificial grass and ruining your garden. Overlap the weed membrane by at least 100mm and take it right to the edge of the area to ensure full coverage.

pair of swings with orange seats over artificial grass

Step four: Let it settle

This next step is super simple. Just lay your artificial grass on top of the membrane and leave it overnight. You’ll want to allow 50mm of artificial grass on all sides to trim for the perfect edge. Letting the artificial turf settle helps avoid creasing and wrinkling.

Walled garden with raised beds and artificial grass lawn

Step five: Joining

Now your artificial grass has had a chance to settle, make sure you’re satisfied the lay by butting any edges together for the perfect fit. Next, peel the grass back and lay the fibreglass backing tape under the join. Apply the adhesive to the tape using a spreader before folding the grass back into place. Take care not to be too heavy handed so as not to squeeze the adhesive up on to the grass strands.

Split level lawn laid with artificial grass

Step six: Trimming & fixing

The last step is trimming and fixing the edges for the perfect garden. Using a sharp craft knife, cut and trim your artificial grass, making sure there are no gaps between the walls and grass. A sharp blade is a safe blade so make sure you change your blades regularly as blunt blades can cause accidents. Once you’ve trimmed your grass, secure the perimeter using ground pins. Nail these into the ground at an angle, spaced out at intervals of roughly 200mm.

AUTHORS NOTES:
By Ieuan Nicholls, Marketing Manager at Artificial Grass

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