Gardens / Pools > Lawns > Artificial grass Cape Town

Reasons for buying a Waterless Lawn

I have heard that in some regions of the USA people are banned from planting real grass for their lawn! Residents are being paid not to lay real sod, strange but true. Yet it makes sense in a world where out water supply is reaching critical mass. Who would have thought?

I lived in JOHANNESBURG during a serious drought a few years ago. We weren't allowed to water our lawns, wash cars or fill swimming pools. Each household was allocated a certain amount of litres each day to wash in, cook, clean and tend to our gardens. Meters were vetted and heavy fines doled out and we were forced to use re-cycle our bathwater and dishwater. It wasn't the best of times, but it did teach many a valuable lesson.

What other benefits does artificial grass offer?

1. Artificial grass looks real; it really does, and comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and piles.

2. Artificial grass is economical, costing around the same as paving per square metre. Around R120 without fitting.

3. By laying down artificial grass, you are doing your bit towards the environment. The majority of homes in South Africa use the majority of their water usage on their garden alone. Artificial grass also cuts down on pesticides and fertilisers which in turn eliminates run-off into our water sources. You don't have to mow your lawn which further helps towards cutting down our pollution problem. Running a lawnmower is said to create as much pollution as a late model motor car. You'll also be able to sleep in Sunday mornings.

4. Artificial grass is the thing at the moment, something to show off to the neighbours

5. Artificial grass comes with a warranty, no kidding! Sometimes up to 10 years.

6. Artificial grass needs almost zero maintenance. If you take those few hours you spend in your garden on the weekends it adds up.

7. Artificial grass can tolerate all kinds of weather from extreme cold to blistering heat. It is UV stabilised too so it won't fade.

8. You get a lush, manicured, green, well-tended lawn all year round to look at. When you go away, no matter how long, it will look as good as when you left.

9. You can even take it indoors if you want, lay it down on a roof patio or indoor courtyard.

10. You will be getting ahead of water restrictions in the years to come and your rates and taxes will reduce over time.

11. You will be helping the environment, and leading by example. Demand will increase and during our next water crisis, you and your friends will be smiling.

Can you Trust It?

If you are concerned about how artificial grass will look and perform, don't be.

Artificial grass is not toxic; it is soft and safer in fact than real grass. If you have pets and children, artificial grass can actually keep their paws free of dirt. Your kids can play outside the whole day without fear of grass stains, muddy feet, grazed knees or nunu bites.

Landscaping with Artificial Grass

Owning a home complete with garden is great, owning a home with a tatty, muddy or bare patch of earth isn't. Everyone wants a beautiful lawn where friends can be entertained or kids run wild.

Growing a healthy lawn can be hard work. You first need to find the right type of lawn that will grow in your climate. Then you need to lay it down or sown from seed, keep it watered and coax it into a lush green carpet. Even if you baby your lawn you may still find that certain areas of your garden grow luxurious while other parts just wont catch up, especially those areas under shade. Again, you are left with muddy or dusty patches of earth, or worse, good for breeding mosquitoes in summer.

Artificial grass will eliminate all of these problems and landscaping with it can save you a lot of money, time and effort. It will also give you enormous satisfaction and pride in your home.

Maintaining your artificial Turf

Ok I have told you that artificial grass needs no maintenance, but it does need some form of protection.

When you buy your grass, ask for a maintenance log. As a fairly new idea in South Africa, they must be able to provide you with one, or at least a detailed working document. This is also vital for warranty purposes.

One of the most important protection steps would be to fence off your lawn, being a novelty artificial grass will invite attention and nobody wants uninvited guests getting their grubby hands on your investment! Even though artificial grass can take an incredible amount of use, it should supervised, you don't want someone stamping out his or her ciggie butt or lit match on it. It also needs to be kept free of rubbish such as broken glass. While tobacco and organic matter will break down and rot over time.

Keep a litterbin nearby in close reach and educate your kids and visitors on the potential consequences of littering. They should be aware of the importance of keeping the lawn safe and clean.

Perhaps you could consider investing in a blower. Regularly check your turf for unusual tears or damage, especially in those areas that get the most traffic. A well-maintained artificial turf will definitely last for many years if looked after properly.

Lawn for Life or Lawn for a Season?

Artificial grass or synthetic grass is fabricated. Manufactured from a blend of synthetic materials yet it looks and feels like the real thing and can be applied to in any size or shape area.

Installing artificial grass is best left to the professionals. They will start off by removing any potential hazard such as sprinkler heads etc. Next, they will level and smooth the area and then lay down crushed rock which is used to act as a barrier on which the grass will rest.

The crushed rock is then levelled with the help of a cement roller, watered and then levelled again. The artificial lawn is rolled on top of this barrier and trimmed to fit.

Once it is laid, it is then anchored down. Be sure these anchors are included when you buy your lawn. A layer of white sand is then sprinkles over the lawn and smooth out. This forms a seal. Finally the lawn is watered which sets it in place.

Easy as that!