Fake Grass

I am new here. Due to severe health issues I need to make my garden as maintenance free as possible as I cannot cope with it now. It got overgrown and I have just had it cleared and have bought membrane and 'grass' to make a lawn. I now see that I am supposed to put a layer of sand under membrane. Is this really essential? My friend insists its not as the lawn is more for decoration and won't be used much. Can I get away with it? Thanks!

 

to GC @Sherry777

I have no experience with artificial lawns, so can't answer your query with any great knowledge. However, I'm going to assume that the purpose of the sand is to stabilise the ground beneath the membrane/lawn so you get a flat surface (as you would if laying paving)?

Hopefully, someone will be along and able to give you their experience/wisdom.

In the meantime, have a good nosey around and I hope to see you around the forums

 

Thank you. I guess fake grass is not very popular with a forum like this but its my only option. I am sure someone will advise me.

 

I know someone locally who has a fantastic front garden - gorgeous plants, shrubs, ornamental trees. I also know that in recent years they have chosen to use artificial grass for their front lawn
We have some professional gardeners on here too and they may have laid artificial lawns for their clients.

 

I have seen one or two attractive artificial lawns Sherry
You have good reasons to have one so my advice is, go ahead. This from a lawn fan too

 

All I know about it its very expensive for good stuff and the preparation is very similar to doing a drive,

Ok you can use the cheap stuff and throw it down but it will look a pigs ear.

 

My neighbour has one, it looks very good. He had it professionally laid and they took the turf up compacted the soil then a layer of sand was compacted before the "turf" was laid and firmly secured. They then edged it with bricks to finish it off, now all he does is brush the leaves off it.

 

I considered putting some down, the better looking stuff is £45 + a square mtr, to do it right you also need a underlay then prep work under that, it worked out cheaper for Indian stone, if moneys no object go for it but only use a reputable company,

Some lovely examples here.

artificial grass uk - Google Search

 

I've been curious enough to do a little research on this question.
Seems that the layer of sand is necessary.
Sorry.

 

Anecdotally-speaking, a guy who was retiring offered me an artificial lawn business at a rather cheap price last year.

Am not a landscape gardener but gave it a thought. He mentioned the cost of 'decent' turfs that will last (cheap alternatives are often be a waste of money), the processes involved, the massive amount of labour involved and the machinery needed

Was absolutely gobsmacked at the expense of machinery, tools, labour, materials and the necessity of having a tipper truck to dump the waste efficiently without adding extra time on top of each day. The outlay far exceeds the current demand (at least around these here parts).

If you're absolutely sure it's what you want, go for it - they look great all year round if done professionally. If the the materials and lawn-layers aren't widely reputable or they wear stetson hats and spurs, you may need to still mow or strim parts of your lawn on a regular basis

 

This weeks I received a pack of free samples. I am considering using it for my kids' play area. The samples vary in thickness from 25mm to 40mm and cost around £30 per sq metre full price but these are heavily discounted (less then half price). My area is approx 3m x 3m or 9 m sq. that would add up to a lot of money even with the discount. The Range does artificial grass that comes off a roll like a carpet. That's ok but then I would have to connect the seems together neatly and I'm not very good at that sort of thing.

G.

 

@Jack Sparrow - the key to laying the artificial stuff is in the groundwork/prep. The subsoil and any vegetation, rubble etc underneath needs to be removed and a landscaping membrane, hardcore base with an upper layer of sand added.

You can lay the finest quality fake turf on a layer of sand but if your grass contains couch grass, Field Horestails, any weeds with strong taproots, Spring or summer bulbs (to name some of the worst culprits) you'll find your grass eventually becomes raised in certain places or needs regular cutting and/or weed killing and periodic re-levelling.

 

Would it not be possible Sherry to have proper grass and employ someone to keep it cut for you?
It might possibly work out cheaper, less hassle, and a bit more natural looking.