AGDIY

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"Some 3 years ago my son told me that he was having artificial grass installed in his garden, I was absolutely horrified at the thought, there is nothing quite like real grass! Or so I thought. I was amazed at the quality and how real his artificial grass looked. How neat and tidy his garden remained throughout the whole year, and what a welcome sight his garden was in the depth of Winter!

I was converted. I shopped around for samples and prices and the best quality and price. I could not afford unfortunately to have my garden prepared and grass installed for me. With the help of my sons, we gutted the garden, broke up all concrete areas and cleared the garden. The garden needed 233 sq. metres of artificial grass.

40 tonnes of scalping went down as a first layer – this was compacted with a compactor purchased new as opposed to hiring one. It was cheaper to buy as I wanted to complete this project in my own time and not having to keep hiring the compactor. (We will now sell the compactor for at least half the cost – cheap at the price)

Next layer was granite dust and this too was compacted several times. The flatter and more compact the base, the better the installed grass will look. Membrane is then laid on top of the granite dust compacted layer and finally the grass. I hired 3 labourers to carry the rolls into my garden – the rolls of grass are very heavy. They rolled out the rolls onto the three areas and left the rest to me. So with very sharp hooked Stanley knives, I proceeded to cut and fit around paving areas. Patience and care is the only skill needed, and I am 70 years old! I would just like to add here that scalping and granite dust are not necessary, if you remove the turf, compact the soil, then lay sharp sand – this also forms a good sub-base for the grass.

The grass is so hardy and my German Shepherd, Rommel, runs and scamps around the grass. It does not budge a centimetre. It has marvellous drainage. Poops are easily to scoop and if the poop is sometimes not as firm as it should be, then some antibacterial wipes on the area involved.

After all the awful snow we have had, most people`s lawns are muddy and patchy and messy, but my lawn is beautiful, the snow just glides off it, or drains through the special drainage holes in the artificial grass. So no muddy paws in the house when Rommel has played in the garden. And with pieces left over, I have cut them into door mats; they make excellent door mats. Perfect for scraping your shoes on.

If I were asked what would I prefer (if money was limited) to a new kitchen or an artificial lawn, then I would have to say, without hesitation, that I would prefer an artificial lawn. I chose artificial grass with a shorter, easier for scooping poops! And it always has that “just mowed” look."

No watering, no mowing, no mud, no worm casts. No chemicals, spring feeds or autumn feeds, or lawn care. Just enjoy the garden 12 months of the year. It really is worth the money.

Ms V Herrington – London - Feb 2011