[AlanHo]

I like a nice lawn and when we moved into our retirement estate in 2013 the lawn was more moss than grass. I had it removed and re-laid with what was claimed to be high quality turf. During 2014 and 2015 it was lovely.

As you can see from this pic taken in June 2015



During the whole of 2016 the lawn was invaded by meadow and couch grass and I spent countless hours grubbing it out and reseeding the patches. Despite my efforts I could not keep up with the problem – even through the winter.

This spring when the grass started growing again I was faced with renewing the battle – until I finally surrendered 4 weeks ago and decided to start all over again. But this time make sure the ground was completely devoid of any weeds or rough grasses. This required required drastic action so I set about killing the lawn by a liberal application of RoundUp weed killer. The plan being to get a landscape contractor to remove the dead turf, properly prepare the ground, add a 3” layer of screened topsoil and top that with Rolawn turf which is expensive but renowned for high quality

This is the result, 3 weeks after spraying the lawn :-




However – having got some quotations for the work which is in the order of £1300 - Libby stuck an advert for artificial grass under my nose. She pointed out that whilst she doesn’t like the idea of artificial gardens  - I could devote more time to mutual pleasures rather than waste hours crawling on the lawn trying to remove undesirable invaders.

So I got some quotes for converting the lawn to artificial grass and I was rather surprised. The prices ranged from cheap and cheerful up to “Your having a laugh mate”. By that I mean from a low of £1480 for rubbish grass to a high of £4280 for what they claim to be super duper luxury.

I am now doing some research but was invited to see a lawn laid by one of the companies recently. It was impressive and looked very realistic. The residents had it done 7 months ago and remain delighted – they have two female dogs which had ruined the old lawn and look forward to this one being maintenance free. So I am sorely tempted.

Watch this space.

[The Gonz]

Time is money, Alan. You'll be amazed how free you'll be after that investment.

[AlanHo]

@The Gonz  - I might agree with you - except that in my case the more time I devote to other things with Libby - the more we spend (Not earn)

However - I do agree that spending countless hours and effort trying to keep a lawn pristine is a bit stupid when you are 80.

[CraigB]

You'll love it Alan, we had the front verge done a couple of years ago with the best natural looking grass we could find, wasn't cheap at $1200 for 6m2 but we've saved on water and products to keep it looking nice and time saved mowing and killing lawn beetle and ants which ain't cheap.

Main benefit of the more expensive grass is the 20 year warranty and a much more realistic looking lawn which should have superior drainage over the cheap grasses, I'd suggest to get the longest pile you can find as they stay a bit cooler in the summer.

Summer temps in Perth make it unbearable to walk on which is why we never bothered doing the back lawn as the dog wouldn't be able to walk on it, yes it gets that hot but I don't think you'll have that issue in the UK.

[Dazzler]

Artificial grass sounds like the way to go Alan. Now our last Rabbit and the wallaby have gone to greener pastures  (did you see what I did there) we could do that with our relatively small enclosed back yard, but cost more than a tight ar$e like me would be prepared to spend.

[John B]

Great Idea. Here in sunny Qld Australia we have high humidity and the grass grows so quick after mowing. It does become a bit of  a pain, you cut the grass and stand back and admire it and then a few days later it needs cutting again. Did look into having artificial grass but unfortunately the good ones are far to expensive for me.

[mickd]

Hi Al, had the same weed problem with our front lawn. a few years ago .
After 12 months of hints from my wife and one last ditch effort at removing the weeds myself I gave up and agreed to go with her hints.
Removed using turf cutter , roughly leveled it, put in native and indigenous plants, a couple of bird baths,  mulch covered everything else.
That was 9 years ago, almost finished it when had work accident with my good shoulder.
No mowing,  any weeds that pop up get a  spray of killer or pulled out if too close to a plant, once a year the plants get a prune.
Birds are loving it,  we're loving it,  excellent idea.
Go art. grass or garden,  either way you won't be disappointed.

[Doggie 1]

I've always admired your lawns, Alan.
In WA, artificial lawns get too hot to walk on in summer, so I personally wouldn't get one, but you probably wouldn't have that issue.
  Just read Craig's post. I didn't copy, honestly!

[Shambles]

Plus, you should be able to recoup around £15 by selling your lawnmower

[Doggie 1]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

[Shambles]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

[Doggie 1]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

[Dazzler]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

Especially if your name is Jackie Lambie...

[The Gonz]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

Especially if your name is Jackie Lambie...

Isn't she a member of your family, Dazz?

[Doggie 1]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

Especially if your name is Jackie Lambie...

Lol, that's gold.
I remember that interview very well.
She's not very couth, our your Jackie.

[Dazzler]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

Especially if your name is Jackie Lambie...

Lol, that's gold.
I remember that interview very well.
She's not very couth, our your Jackie.

Yeah, something about any fella that went there would need a whipper snipper or something to that effect!

[Doggie 1]

And you'll never again hear, "The lawn needs mowing." 

.. unless the question is "Why are you taking so long in the bathroom, dear?"

That's not a lawn!
It's a forest. 

Especially if your name is Jackie Lambie...

Lol, that's gold.
I remember that interview very well.
She's not very couth, our your Jackie.

Yeah, something about any fella that went there would need a whipper snipper or something to that effect!

Yes, she said it'd need a whipper snipper and she also said that any guy she went with would have to be very well hung.
This was on a radio interview shortly after she became a Senator with Palmer United. Of course, she is now an independent Senator.

[The Gonz]

This was on a radio interview shortly after she became a Senator with Palmer United. Of course, she is now an independent Senator.

Riding in on Palmer's ticket - not so dumb, hey?

[Doggie 1]

This was on a radio interview shortly after she became a Senator with Palmer United. Of course, she is now an independent Senator.

Riding in on Palmer's ticket - not so dumb, hey?

Mm. Well?
Palmer is a spent force, me thinks.......

[mickd]

Well hung ? Counts me out 

How did we get here?

[Doggie 1]

Nice lawns to large penis - pretty obvious, isn't it?   
No, maybe not.   

[The Gonz]

I'd be far more impressed (and surprised) if we went from large penis to nice lawns.

[Doggie 1]

Apologies Alan for the 
We promise we won't dick around with your thread anymore. 

[Surferdude]

Well, we might talk about roots but I'm sure someone could lawnder the posts.