Going for a fake lawn in your garden

Fake lawn is becoming a popular alternative to real grass due to climate conditions - however, there are still many questions that need to be answered when it comes to new turf options. We caught up with expert Rosemary Hicks to find out what is needed.

Why is instant turf a smart choice for those looking to put in new lawns?

It's a smart choice because all the hard work has already been done by the farm and the lawn only needs to be transplanted into your prepared soil bed. This means you need less water to get the lawn established.

Is there a wide range of lawn options available as instant turf?

Turf research in Australia has leapt ahead dramatically in recent years, with many new varieties becoming available. As a rule you should seek a warm-season variety for drought tolerance and sustainability. For example, grasses in the Couch, Buffalo, Zoysia and Kikuyu families.

What should people consider when trying to decide which breed of lawn to choose?

It is important to monitor the area in winter and summer to gauge how much sun and shade it gets, particularly in new sub-divisions, where neighbouring homes can throw a lot of shade onto your yard. Consider any pets, children, heavy traffic and, of course, water requirements.

How do you balance out a desire to have a beautiful lawn with a need to conserve water?

If you prepare your ground correctly and install a professional irrigation system, it will cut down on your watering. Besides, lawns help to purify and cool the air, are an important source of plant oxygen exchange and offer a natural filter to protect water quality and the environment.

How can installing sub-surface irrigation in lawns help to conserve water?

It eliminates evaporation, thereby dramatically reducing water loss as well as the amount of water you use. With a well-designed system and the correct watering schedule, you may see savings of up to 75 per cent compared with a conventional pop-up sprinkler system.

Does the customer need to maintain the turf much once it is laid?

Most lawns require some maintenance to remain healthy. Some fertilising each year will keep your lawn strong and ultimately decrease the amount of water required to sustain it. Hand weeding lawns is inconvenient, so some carefully selected herbicides may be needed from time to time.

Fake lawn can be yours simply by contacting a turf supplier in your area today: