Garden Design Award Finalist

I’m delighted to have been shortlisted as one of the finalists for the inaugural ProLandscaper Small Project Big Impact Awards 2018. The design was a small contemporary garden that cost under £20,000 for the build and planting. All of which just goes to show that smaller gardens with limited budgets can be just as challenging, interesting and rewarding to design.

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.