There is no denying that Brisbane is a fantastic place to live. The sub-tropical climate just calls out for an outdoor lifestyle. But this coveted lifestyle isn’t possible without a great outside space to utilise.

If your lawn is infested with pests, covered in weeds, withered, brown, just not growing or a dreaded artificial lawn then it’s time to think of a new lawn. Of all these problems the artificial lawn is by far the worst. Artificial or synthetic lawns can cause a whole host of problems that are worth considering before deciding on lawn for your home.

Artificial lawn problems:

Heat
The synthetic materials used to create an artificial lawn also absorbs heat from the atmosphere and can cause the turf to be up to 37 degrees hotter than bitumen. At these temperatures your lawn in Brisbane is not only unable to be used for entertaining, sport or play but can cause injury to young children and pets.

Cost
While it’s true that an artificial lawn requires less maintenance and ongoing costs than a natural lawn, a synthetic lawn is expensive to purchase and install, particularly when you budget in the cost of the lawn, the infill, equipment for installation and if you are having it installed for you – the labour costs.

Chemicals
Artificial lawns have been found to contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals such as lead, zinc and even arsenic and that’s just on the artificial grass blades. You must also consider what is found below the lawn. According to a 2007 Environmental and Human Health Inc. report, the rubber granules used as infill to replace dirt may contain carcinogenic chemicals that can lead to eye and skin irritations.

Flooding
In a natural lawn, the dirt below will absorb much of the natural rainfall it is exposed to but with no dirt below an artificial lawn flooding can occur. An excess build-up of rainwater can cause nearby gardens and plants to drown and cause damage to house foundations. Due to the make up of the synthetic lawn flooding may also cause chemicals to enter the storm water drains through run off.

Environment
Since an artificial lawn doesn’t have a natural environment for organisms that a natural lawn needs to survive it does not have the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In fact, artificial lawns have been found to actually kills off good organisms in the soil for several lawns, even with intensive soil treatments.

Bacteria
Synthetic lawns have no built-in waste disposal system like that found in a natural lawn and soil meaning that animal faeces, sweat and blood can remain on an unsanitised artificial lawn for an extended period of time. Research suggests that bacteria such as Staphylococci can survive for up to three months on polyethylene plastic which is commonly used to create synthetic grass blades.

Rather than a synthetic or artificial lawn and the problems that comes with them, the team at Daleys Turf will always recommend a natural turf for your home, sporting or community venue.

The best (and most popular) lawn in Brisbane is Sir Walter Soft Leaf Buffalo lawn and with good reason. Sir Walter is easy to maintain, is self-repairing, drought tolerant, weed and pest resistant and maintains a fantastic year round colour. Contact the team today for more information on a natural lawn at your place.