Is artificial grass a good option for family gardens?

Picture the typical family garden in your mind, and chances are there’s grass involved. 

Lawns are a popular choice in family gardens for good reason: they provide the all-important space that kids need to let off steam, be that through ball games, obstacle courses, imaginative role play, or plain old running around.  And of course, a lawn provides a softer landing than a paved area, while still being nice to look at.

Lawns do require a fair amount of maintenance though, and recent years have seen a definite rise in the use of artificial grass in our gardens.  But is artificial grass a good option for a family garden?

If you’re looking to revamp your family lawn, here are some reasons why artificial grass could be the way to go.

Low maintenance

Probably the biggest bonus for busy families, artificial grass is really low maintenance.  It’s tough and durable, and there’s no need for regular mowing, edge trimming, weeding, watering or fertilising.  You can also free up some space in the shed, as you won’t be needing a lawnmower or strimmer.  To look after artificial grass, all you really need to do is remove fallen leaves, hose off any dust regularly, and give it a good brush every now and then to lift the fibres back into an upright position.  Not exactly hard work!

Getting mucky

Walking or playing on wet grass usually results in muddy feet, right?  Not with artificial grass.  If you like the idea of banishing muddy footprints from the house, it’s a great option, and if you’ve got pets that go outdoors regularly you’ll notice the difference even more.

Increased outdoor time

As well as causing a mess, that mud factor can make us stay indoors more too.  Sometimes the thought of the cleanup job required after outdoor play is enough to put a stop to the kids heading outside.  Heavy traffic on soggy grass can cause damage too, resulting in bare patches.  Artificial grass has drainage holes that allow water to flow away quickly, which means you won’t cause damage, and your lawn isn’t out of bounds at any time of year.  The fact that it doesn’t deteriorate when wet also gives you the perfect playing surface regardless of the weather.

Allergies

If you’ve got hay fever sufferers in your family you’ll be only too familiar with the misery of grass pollen season.  Hay fever can really restrict the amount of time spent outdoors enjoying the garden, and that large expanse of lawn could be the main culprit.  Artificial grass is allergen free, so if hay fever is an issue it can make it easier and more enjoyable to spend time in your garden during spring and summer.

Safety

Just like real grass, artificial grass is by nature non-slip and gentle on the feet.  You’ve also got the added safety option of being able to add foam underlay in areas where you’d like to soften a fall, such as under swings or play frames.  You won’t need to use potentially dangerous pest and weed control products either.

What about local wildlife?

Artificial grass isn’t going to provide a natural habitat for wildlife in the same way that living grass does, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to become a no-go area for your local species.  It’s not difficult to support wildlife in other areas of your garden; growing plants that pollinating insects love, providing a food source for wild birds, making a log pile and adding a water feature are all great ways to ensure that wildlife continues to visit and thrive.

Could artificial grass be the perfect option for your family garden?

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