fake grass

My SIL is an experienced landscape gardener in inner London .Where space and time are limited 'fake grass' is in demand .He is now converted and has done several layouts to the satisfaction of his clients. It is definitely advisable to get advice and have it professionally laid. If he weren't so far away I would have mine done. Lugging lawn mower around and dealing with cuttings is becoming such a chore with a painful shoulder.

Thank you all for such information I had not thought of.
I am giving serious thought to Camomile or Thyme.
Yes also to Glammanana, I hadn't thought of Cats, and as you said I would have to buy more than I need.

Well we have it merlot and have to say it's brilliant. When we moved here in June 2012 there was a lumpy lawn with ant heaps and weeds amongst the clumps of rough grass. We researched astroturf on-line and went see a local garden with it installed. I was dubious at first as it did look artificial in the garden we viewed but then his whole garden did - it was like an illustration in a gardening magazine.

We had quotes from three local suppliers and chose the one which we thought looked the best from the samples they showed us. We chose a high quality one from the range. It took them a day to install and indeed the preparation was the longest part of that. There are layers of sand and membrane over a sub-strata which has been de-stoned and flattened.

Lots of people pass our house and many stop and ask if it is real, it looks so good. You can wash it or vacuum it and we have had no problems with it at all. We have even given our lawn mower away.

It's all part of making our life easier as we age and cope with our various health problems.

Why would anyone want fake grass?

Is there weed-smothering membrane under the chippings, because that should stop the weeds taking hold in the earth beneath them. you can still get small one starting to germinate if there is any dirt between the chippings, but it does help. I think that fake grass also needs a membrane beneath is to keep down the weeds.

You can get much better kinds of pseudo-lawn now than used to be available, and it can look very good.

camomile or thyme have my vote too. But wondering, what work do slate chippings need? If weeds are coming through, perhaps you just need another bag to increase depth. Could you have someone to come for a couple of hours once a month to help out?

Must say I just hate the thought of fake grass.

Have you thought of several varieties of creeping Thyme. They need very little soil, would spread through the chippings, look green and need no mowing. Also, smell lovely and can be eaten! X

Some neighbours had their front lawn replaced with fake grass last year. Looked lovely at first but the weeds have grown through the membrane and the grass, and it's beginning to look rather motheaten as well. They're very disappointed and are thinking of taking it up.

Why not...I meant to say.

Why now create a small area of camomile lawn instead? That won't need cutting or maintaining. Seeds are cheaper than pot plants if that's a factor.

anneey why don't you google fake grass because I am almost sure that you cannot just lay it like a rug-, especially over chippings, there is more to it. I agree with glammanana re the widths. Again you may be lucky if you advertised for somebody's cut offs. I would keep the chippings, you know what you are dealing with. As previously said, you cannot just lay it and leave it.

I am sure it will look very attractive anneey but do remember that it comes in 3mte.widths when on the roll and you may be paying for a lot of wasteage if you only need a very small piece,my friend has a part of her garden done with it and whilst it looks effective she does have to keep it disinfected as cats do tend to "wee" on it and if left the smell can linger.Best of luck on your decision.