Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 07, 2009 10:21 pm I see there are threads on various types of grass to grow but haven't seen any discussing artificial turf.
It seems to me that in Australia we have more pressing demands on our water than using it to keep grass alive. So for a back yard that does not get much use, I was thinking of putting in artificial turf. Has anyone had any experience with this? What are the cons, if any? Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 2Jan 08, 2009 9:13 am I hate the stuff personally. Lawns produce a heap of oxygen and also add a significant cooling effect for around your home, therefore saving energy in other ways. I love a good lawns, but hey
Rather than synthetic turf I would much rather see our landscape designs move away from incorporating lawn areas. I feel synthetic turf is a temporary means of the population to ween themselves off lawn. like a nicotine patch In years to come I think we will be reading threads about dated fake turf and how to remove it That is just me though and I do know a great installer of this who uses some good quality synthetic turf. PM me for details. here's some threads on the topic https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... +turf+fake https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... +turf+fake https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... +turf+fake https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... +turf+fake Here's how West Aussies can make sand into soil Checkout The Forever Project Before starting your landscape attend a FREE Great Gardens workshop Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 3Jan 08, 2009 9:15 am I don't have it myself, but my kids' primary school installed large areas of artificial turf in the playground and it was brilliant. It stood up to heavy foot traffic, never needed mowing or weeding (or watering), there are no patchy bits in shady areas, and it looked pretty good, especially from a distance.
The downside was the initial cost, and it's not all that soft if kids happen to fall over. It does look artificial close up too. I wouldn't have it in my yard, but then I'm not having any kind of turf. I did consider it for the nature strip, so we can dispose of the mower altogether, but husband says no. Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 4Jan 08, 2009 10:21 am I've seen it down in a lot of schools, one school near me has it for their oval and its been down a few years and still looks good.
Re the hardness that Kek mentioned I think there is different types or underlays or something as I've seen both soft stuff and harder stuff. A lot of the display villages have it down, Mernda is one in particular that I know has it for some of their nature strips so you could try checking it out there. Friends of mine have it in their backyard and the kids seem to like it. It seems easier to ride small bikes, push things etc. As a pro - Its particularly easy to clean animal mess off Building Upside down house in Wantirna VIC Current Stage: Procrastination... it's just all too hard.... Blog: http://thereluctantbuilder.blogspot.com/ Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 5Jan 08, 2009 7:18 pm Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Fu, thanks also for the links: some good info there. Re your comment about lawns producing a heap of oxygen. That is true, but for every molecule of oxygen they produce via photosynthesis, they consume one molecule of water! Have we got enough water to keep all these lawns going? WA is way behind the rest of the country in waking up to this. If you look at the data, each year the water table in Perth is declining by about the same amount all those water cannons take out to grow all that grass. This is not sustainable and sooner or later the pollies will have to wake up to this fact. I would be interested to hear your ideas of alternative landscape designs to replace lawns altogether. The people I have spoken to so far can't think beyond installing instant lawns complete with irrigation systems. Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 6Jan 08, 2009 7:54 pm have a look at what the synthetic turf is made from. Then think about the factories pumping that stuff out. all the oil, plastic, carbon emissions, electricity, stuff that gives you headaches, all the nasties you could imagine possibly in that stuff. It sure stinks when rolled up and stored in bulk. Yuck.
I have it on very good authority that 1sq m of turf can, in sandy soil, have up to 15ltrs of water evaporate from it in one day (potentially). This is not always the case. I am pretty keen on soil health and love studying up on anything to do with it. Soil health is the key to water efficiency. Kevin Handreck former CSIRO ag scientist has published some very interesting literature and research on it. covering large areas with synthetic turf will have some sort of effect on surrounding soils in one form or another. Soils with real turf will be healthier. Having said that, soils with no turf, clever garden design, plant selection and most importantly great healthy soil will be better still all valid points though Here's how West Aussies can make sand into soil Checkout The Forever Project Before starting your landscape attend a FREE Great Gardens workshop Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 7Jan 08, 2009 7:55 pm Albert_Thurgood I would be interested to hear your ideas of alternative landscape designs to replace lawns altogether. The people I have spoken to so far can't think beyond installing instant lawns complete with irrigation systems. I think you have been talking to the wrong people Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 8Jan 08, 2009 8:01 pm Yeah, I know what its made from... but if its from recycled plastics, its not wasting fossil fuels.
And as for soil health... we have bare sand in our back yard because the block has been bulldozed at least three times by now. Its hard even growing weeds in it. I am going to have to build up the soil quality in the garden beds, and while that is happening I thought we would have a try something like this for a couple of years. What ideas did you have for non-lawn and non-paving alternatives for landscaping? Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 9Jan 08, 2009 8:05 pm Fu Manchu Albert_Thurgood I would be interested to hear your ideas of alternative landscape designs to replace lawns altogether. The people I have spoken to so far can't think beyond installing instant lawns complete with irrigation systems. I think you have been talking to the wrong people I know I have - that's why I haven't gone ahead with their ideas! What I would really like to do would be to install a native garden like they have in King's Park, but I haven't been able to find anyone yet who can do such a thing. Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 10Jan 08, 2009 8:20 pm PM sent
but for others reading this I would recommend the services of http://www.inspiredbynature.biz/index.php Her work is some of the best. Most importantly doing business with IBN will be a pleasure for anyone all designs are waterwise and sympathetic to the environment. Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 11Jan 08, 2009 8:23 pm Albert_Thurgood I am going to have to build up the soil quality in the garden beds, and while that is happening I thought we would have a try something like this for a couple of years. I would also suggest getting your soils from http://www.gardenersdirect.com.au/ again, they are mindful of environmental concerns. most soils are certified organic and there are second to none. I have never used a soil that is as good as theirs! ...ever. Re: Artificial Turf: has anyone tried it? 12Jan 08, 2009 9:27 pm Thanks for the PM and the advice, honourable Fu! Hi All, we are starting to think of building with Masterpiece Builders in Victoria, has anyone had any feedback or experience with them 0 13717 Hi we are looking to talk to people who have built with them recently. We have signed mid range built contract but identified that a lot of things are not included.… 0 752 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5945 |