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Redesign For Fairly New Build; Changing to Artificial Turf and Composite Decking

HerbsNChilliesHerbsNChillies Posts: 7
in Garden design
I posted a follow up to a thread in the problem solving section. I guess I should have started a new topic here instead.

Here's the original post, which contains a design for changing a degraded turf lawn to artificial with new borders and decking:


Grateful for advice before I start

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  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    What is the problem?
    I can't understand what advice you are after, is it about the grass, the design or something else?
    Most on here decry fake grass and plastic decking but it's your garden, real turf and wood decking are cheaper but involve more maintainence.
    Please repost your design on this thread as it's difficult to refer to the design and write comments when you have to keep jumping between the two.

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Compost decking? What’s that? And what size are the raised beds? They look quite small to me with minimal access space on the far side.

    Sorry - just realised, compost is composite.
    Rutland, England
  • HerbsNChilliesHerbsNChillies Posts: 7
    edited June 2020
    Ok, here's the design reposted on this topic


    K67, the question - rather than the problem - is does this design look ok? Would it work or would it look bad in reality?

    As stated on the other thread the original turf had a huge problem with chafer grubs and poor drainage. Most of the other houses in the street have changed to artificial turf to negate that problem. We are just following suit but whereas they have gone for artifical grass and decking only, we would prefer a border to incorporate plants.

    BenCotto.  This is just a rough design. At a guess the 3 raised beds would need to be sized to be appeasing to the eye. There would be no access at the rear as they would be up against a brick wall. Also note that I hope my gardening skills are better than my graphics skills.

    Is plastic decking really that bad? Possibly yes the type from a well known DIY store but there seems to be suppliers of good looking products out there.

  • HerbsNChilliesHerbsNChillies Posts: 7
    Any tips on making it less ghastly?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It's not what I would choose, but I have seen a garden with an artificial lawn which has been installed very well and suits its owners' purpose ... they have a shady garden  and two large dogs and their idea of garden bliss is to sit in the summerhouse  or on the terrace with a long cool drink while they watch their dogs charge about in the garden.  It suits them and it's their garden.  However they told me it cost a great deal to install because of the amount of drainage that had to be installed and the other preparation work.  They said it cost them as much to do the garden as it cost to have their large bathroom remodelled.

    I have seen other artificial lawns which have been installed as a DIY project or by cowboys (one knocked on our door the other day ... his reputation had travelled before him).  They invariably have problems, from badly matched colour and wrinkles and rucks to really bad drainage problems leading to standing water ... I heard of one which had water seeping into the conservatory after heavy rain.  We have had reports of several on this forum over the past couple of years ... it's very hard to know what to say that is helpful.  

    I'm afraid in this as in the rest of life, you get what you pay for so research the job thoroughly and get as much advice as you can ... it's not like laying a carpet.

    Good luck!  :)


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
     It really depends on individual taste. A garden that's almost all artificial grass and hard landscaping wouldn't appeal to me because what I want in a garden is plants and lots of them, and I enjoy the processes of growing, maintaining and propagating them ( I guess the same is true for many people on this forum) . But it might appeal to people who want an "outdoor room" and don't want to do much or any actual gardening, so take your pick.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Just don't fall for the idea that synthetic surfaces are "maintenance-free".  Weed seeds need very little to root in, and they will blow in on the wind and be dropped by birds on your "grass".  And seeds aren't all that birds will drop!  If you want it to look good, you'll have to keep it clean.
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    Personally, I would go for a courtyard garden in this situation. A paved seating area, some other outdoor seating structure (pergola, summer house), gravel, planting beds and pots. It could be pretty, green and reasonably low maintenance.
    But it depends what do you want from the garden. That's the most important part. And I am not sure if you said it here or on the other thread. Don't do something because other people around you did it. Or because you want it to look good. Gardens are to be used and the most important part of every design is its intended use.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I see you have quite stark and imposing boundaries, and the space is flat and surrounded on all sides. Deeper more generous borders, and areas of brick or gravel paving with outdoor furniture, surrounded by planting, would work well to create a *garden*, as opposed to simply changing the floor covering on what you've already got. The artificial grass and decking suggestion isn't awful, it's just bland, and a bit expensive as those things don't come cheap if correctly laid.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited June 2020
    Sad to say it won't help asking other people's opinions as we all have different views on what we like in a garden. 
    I have artificial grass which we laid ourselves but it involves a lot of hard work and certainly wasn't cheap but it's what I wanted in a small area and increasing age.
    Your design wouldn't be for me as i love clematis and flowers.
    Is your decking area large enough for table and chairs or an outdoor sofa set?

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