SOUTH COAST ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Transform your garden with artificial grass

With the popularity of artificial grass growing due to the numerous benefits it offers we talk to Shaun King, Director of South Coast Artificial Grass to help find out if this is the right option for your outdoor space.

How do I maintain artificial grass? Artificial Grass is easy to maintain, here is what you should and shouldn’t do:

DO – Remove surface debris such as leaves using a leaf blower or stiff brush at least once a month to prevent build up of organic matter which can encourage weed growth and damage the drainage.

Brush the grass against the pile once a month with a stiff brush to rejuvenate the pile and help maintain its correct positioning. Remove pet mess from the surface and wash down.

DON’T – Have bonfires, Charcoal BBQs, fire pits or light fireworks to near the artificial grass. Its synthetic and will melt. Similarly, AFTER

cigarettes left carelessly unattended on the BEFORE

grass will melt that area. Avoid parking cars, motorbikes or heavy vehicles on the grass as the will cause compaction.

Is artificial grass safe for children? These days artificial grass is made from a mixture of polyethylene (commonly used in grocery bags and children’s toys), polypropylene (commonly used for plastic utensils and microwaveable containers) (6m�5m) area including full ground work

and nylon for heat resistance. None of these materials make it dangerous or toxic.

Is artificial grass pet friendly? Yes. Most grasses available on the market are pet friendly. Some may argue that a PU backed grass is better than latex because urine and therefore if not washed through regularly can retain smells. A pile height of

32mm or below is recommended best due to dog muck potentially sticking in longer pile heights.

How much does artificial grass cost? As an example the cost for a 30m2 latex has the potential of absorbing more

and preparation, removal of any excavated materials, installation of new sub base, and supply and installation of UV resistant grass – is £1,500 +VAT.

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CONTACT

01202 914300 EMAIL

info@southcoastartificialgrass.co.uk WEBSITE

www.southcoastartificialgrass.co.uk

07391 273846 0800 0096 205

RIGHT

A woman in a garden as the

sun rises | iStock/ PA

TOP RIGHT

A garden seating area

featuring stone and timber |

iStock/ PA

FAR RIGHT

Persicaria | iStock/ PA

How garden trends are changing postlockdown

Experts predict a resurgence of lawns, an increase in growing edibles, and new admiration for subtle sculptures.

As working from home has become the norm for so many of us, our garden needs are set to change. So says award-winning garden designer Andrew Duff, managing director of Inchbald School Of Design, who won a bronze medal for his first show garden at Chelsea last year.

“For me, garden design has changed more in the last six months than it has in the last 60 years,” he reflects. “It’s no longer the space people come home to for a gin and tonic and to watch the sun go down. They want somewhere to have coffee in the morning, somewhere to have lunch, a green calm space just to be.”

The aesthetics of gardens are changing dramatically, transforming into functional working spaces, somewhere slightly more overgrown, floppy and more

attractive to wildlife, he adds. Seating may have to accommodate both a laptop working space for the warmer months, and comfortable seating with plenty of cushions when work is over.

So, how will the extra time we have in the garden affect future trends?

Keen on green “Green is the colour the eye recognises first, so inherently we relax with that. A good green selection of plants with a balance of different leaf textures gives us that feeling of freshness and growth, which is what people are looking for as we move through the seasons,” says Duff.

“It may mean dark green backgrounds with acid greens and yellows to create a fresh and verdant look. A taxus background, with large-leaved textures of angelica and persicaria. It’s not about a riot of colour.

“In among the green palette, people will want things that give them the joy of scents, such as rosemary and sage.”

Lawn comeback Duff has found that hard landscaping is being replaced by lawn. “I think lawns are making a comeback. The lawn has been a really usable space, particularly if you have children, and people now have more time to maintain their lawn and are finding it therapeutic to mow.”

Subtle sculpture “We’ve had a lot of enquiries for more reflective and contemplative pieces of sculpture,” says award-winning sculptor David Harber (davidharber.co.uk), whose work has been exhibited at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. “People are seeking calm and sophistication, perhaps represented in a Zen-like water feature. People want unfussy, serene and beguiling.

“So many people have taken up yoga and meditation, they want a place where they can stand and be, where they are back in touch with nature.”

Rich shades “People are after really subtle, deep colours that are quite jewel-like. If you’ve been stuck at your computer screen all day, this subdued rich palette that’s gentle on the eye is becoming important,” says Duff. “We are talking deep red persicarias and the deeper blues of catmint, but overall a much more natural feeling in planting. As people are in the garden a lot more, everything is more ongoing. People are going out every day and picking off dead leaves and deadheading, rather than that being a job for the weekend. It’s less of a chore and more of an enjoyment.”

More balcony food “We are going to see less containers filled with annual colour – petunias and geraniums are on their way out. We are going to see balconies overloaded with tomatoes and runner beans, with nasturtiums running through them,” Duff predicts.

Container changes “Seasonality is really important, which is where growing vegetables in containers is really going to take off, along with the rotation of vegetable crops,” says Duff. “Heritage vegetables are coming back – the purple beans, the purple carrots – and for people who’ve got children, that’s exciting.” There will be a return to terracotta and timber planters, rather than mass produced plastic tubs which are less eco-friendly, he predicts.

Sustainable landscaping “People are much more aware of the sustainability of products and their provenance. There’s a great drive to buy British. They want to buy locally and are into supporting local businesses and nurseries,” says Duff. “People want a richness in material. Machine-cut stone is slowly moving away and the Ripon Yorkstone feeling is coming back, along with the joy of gravel.”

Working for wildlife “Wildlife has become very important and people have become surprised how much wildlife there is in their garden,” says Duff. “People won’t be sweeping everything up to within an inch of its life, but will leave things informal and relaxed to encourage wildlife. It’s the overall eclectic, slightly overgrown look that people are adopting.”

Moving forwards Join a webinar panel discussion event, Changing Landscapes: The Future Of Nature And Our Homes: Design, the second in a series, on September 10 at 2pm, featuring David Harber on the panel. For details visit davidharber.com/news/webinar.htm.

Words by Hannah Stephenson, PA

TOP LEFT

A David Harber stainless

steel outdoor sculpture |

Clive Nichols/ PA

ABOVE

Catmint growing along

the side of stone steps |

iStock/ PA

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A balcony with tomatoes

and other edibles |

iStock/ PA