Say NO To Plastic Grass and Plants

I fully support a new campaign launched this month by the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Landscape Institute (LI), that highlights the extreme environmental damage and decline to wildlife caused by artificial grass and plants.

The ‘Say NO to Plastic Grass and Plants’ campaign aims to encourage homeowners, gardeners, garden designers and landscapers to opt for natural solutions in gardens, to help cut down the pollution and ecological destruction caused by plastic grass and to create more habitats for birds, bees and other wildlife.

The UK now ranks as one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe. One of the key reasons for this decline is the loss of natural habitats and ‘green corridors’ in our towns and cities, of which gardens form a major part. 

I highlighted this problem five years ago in a blog post on this website back in 2018. Sadly, since then there has been huge growth in the use of plastic lawns, with devastating effects on both the environment and biodiversity.

Artificial grass destroys soil ecosystems by removing topsoil and covering the ground in plastic, eliminating a crucial habitat for earthworms, fungi and a whole host of other soil organisms. This in turn removes all sources of food and habitat for insects, birds and other animals.

Plastic grass is manufactured from fossil fuel-based plastics, which results in increased carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. By contrast, natural lawns and plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. 

When heated by the sun, natural lawns are cooled through evaporation. However, plastic lawns absorb the sun’s heat, becoming hot under foot and contributing to ‘urban heat islands.’

Artificial grass absorbs less water than natural lawns, causing more run-off and potentially flooding. Furthermore, as the plastic used to make artificial grass gradually deteriorates, microplastics are released into the environment and watercourses, polluting our rivers and seas.

Despite dubious claims made by some manufacturers of artificial grass, it is not bio-degradable, cannot be recycled, does not last forever and is definitely not maintenance-free, requiring regular cleaning and even weeding!

There are plenty of natural and sustainable options that benefit both people and the environment. For instance, a traditional mown lawn or a low-mow lawn that allows flowering plants to flourish between cuts. Other options include chamomile lawns or clover lawns in sunnier areas or blue star creeper ground cover in shadier areas. Or why not try a wildflower meadow to encourage even greater biodiversity. 

Even a bark chip mulch under and around children’s climbing frames and trampolines is a  better option than artificial grass. Being a natural organic material, it will gradually break down releasing nutrients back into the soil and can easily be topped up if required.

In light of all the detrimental effects of artificial grass, there really is no excuse to use it. I will not be specifying artificial grass or plants in any of my garden designs. 

Artificial Grass or Natural Lawn?

The popularity of artificial grass has grown rapidly in recent years with numerous products now available. It’s something clients sometimes request during our initial design consultation, especially those with small gardens and young children who require a low maintenance play space. So what are the pros and cons and is it really worth it?

A major appeal of artificial grass is that it requires minimal maintenance other than sweeping off leaves and perhaps washing down with a hose occasionally. A natural lawn, on the other hand, needs regular mowing during the growing season, plus other seasonal tasks such as fertilizing, scarifying and aerating if you want to keep it looking its best.

Many of the higher quality artificial grass products now available look very realistic, however they can’t replicate the sumptuous feel of walking bare feet on natural grass on a warm summer’s day. Synthetic grass can heat up on hot sunny days and may become uncomfortable underfoot.

Installing artificial lawns properly requires the right sub-base preparation. A poorly laid artificial lawn will soon look like ruffled old carpet and need replacing. The installation cost is typically 3-4 times that of laying turf. Also, if you ever want to revert back to a natural lawn at a later date, there would be an additional cost in removing the sub-base material and adding a lot more topsoil prior to turfing.

Where artificial grass is most beneficial is in high wear and tear areas, such as children’s play areas, where natural grass simply wouldn’t last. It’s also a good option for roof terraces and balconies.

But perhaps the biggest consideration is the environmental impact of artificial grass. Intensive farming and habitat loss in the countryside means gardens are increasingly important for supporting wildlife. Whilst not as rich a habitat as a wildflower meadow, lawns still support an eco-system. Worms, invertebrates and many other soil organisms live in them, which in turn provide a food source for birds and other animals. Artificial grass, on the other hand, offers absolutely no benefit to wildlife and equates to yet more habitat loss.

At a time when concerns over plastic pollution are firmly on the political agenda due to its long-term damage to the environment, the oceans and wildlife, should we really be covering our gardens in the stuff?

The trend for artificial grass seems set to continue and it does have its place, but careful thought should be given as to whether it’s right for you. In the urban environment gardens are vital for biodiversity, so there’s a balance to be had in creating a functional outdoor space and one that also encourages and supports birds and other wildlife. Numerous studies have shown the positive effects being surrounded by nature has on our health and wellbeing, which is surely one of the main attractions of a garden.

What to consider in your garden design brief

When engaging a garden designer the first thing you need to consider is the brief, that is, a list of your wishes and requirements for your garden. The designer will use this information to inform the design process and come up with appropriate solutions, so spending time thinking about this from the outset will be time well spent.  During the initial consultation, the designer will be able to steer the discussion to ensure all aspects of the garden are considered, so don’t worry if you don’t feel confident compiling a brief beforehand.

• A good starting point is to flick through books and magazines and tag images of gardens, features or plants that particularly appeal to you.

• Spend some time in your existing garden thinking about any aspects or elements that you particularly like or dislike. For example, are there any eyesores or neighbouring properties that need screening.

• Think about how you would like to use the garden – for entertaining, sun-bathing, children’s play, encouraging wildlife, growing your own food, etc.

• Consider how you want the garden to feel – wild and romantic or more formal and structured. Is there a particular style that best describes the character you desire – cottage garden, Mediterranean, urban chic, minimal, classical, exotic, Japanese, etc.?

• How keen a gardener are you and how much time will you want to spend maintaining your garden (or paying someone else to)?

• Are there any specific functional requirements to consider such as storage space or an area for wheelie bins?

• How much do you want the garden to embrace issues of sustainability, such as composting and re-using all green waste on site, harvesting rainwater to irrigate the garden, planting to encourage greater biodiversity, adhering to organic gardening practices, etc.?

• Would you like to incorporate water into the garden and, if so, for what purpose, to create a cooling tranquil effect or to encourage wildlife such as frogs and newts?

• Would you like any ambient lighting to allow viewing and use of the garden at night?

• In terms of planting do you want lots of seasonal flower colour or more foliage planting? Are there any plants of particular significance to you that you would like included?

• Finally, think about what budget you are prepared to spend on the garden. You may not feel comfortable discussing this, but it is extremely helpful for the designer to know this from the outset, to ensure your expectations are realistic and to avoid wasting anyone’s time.

The initial consultation and discussion of the brief should be an exciting and enjoyable process, the starting point of a journey towards realising a new outdoor sanctuary that will improve your quality of life for years to come.