Which lawn, artificial or natural?

Natural lawn

Good:

• Good for the environment, helping to encourage natural wildlife and provides oxygen, reducing your carbon footprint.
• It looks great & you can enjoy the smell of freshly mowed lawn in summer!
• Some people prefer the look of natural grass to artificial turf.
• Easy to install without too much difficulty if the ground is well prepared beforehand (very important step!).
• Turf is less expensive to install than synthetic grass. It can be even cheaper if you sow lawn seed rather than turf.

Not so good:

• Depending on the type of turf you choose, lawn may not be as durable if you have children and pets.  
• It can take quite a lot of maintenance, depending on the area of your garden. There will be mowing, fertilising, aerating, weeding (especially prickles!) etc.  
• A lawn requires a lot of water to keep it looking lush and healthy so it will increase your water bill (unless you have a bore).

Synthetic Lawn

Good:

• Little to no maintenance required – no mowing or watering. This makes it perfect for older people who can’t manage the upkeep – or if you work away; your lawn won’t be overgrown when you get back!
• Durable – it can withstand lots and lots of foot and pet traffic!  
• No waiting for it to establish – it’s ready to be enjoyed as soon as it’s been laid.
• Less water usage to keep your water bills down.
• It looks great - synthetic grass has come a long way over the years.  

Not so good:

• It is generally more expensive to buy and install than natural turf.  
• It can’t be recycled and may discourage local wildlife.
• It can get too hot in summer.

It all boils down to a matter of choice but whichever you choose, contact your local landscaper to make sure it is installed properly.

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