Winter is coming! Dark nights and frosty mornings on their way, artificial grass is the way to go. During autumn and winter your artificial lawn will need minimal maintenance while remaining in prime condition. Artificial Grass is a game changer in Winter, here is why.

Artificial grass requires no mowing, saving you time and money as you no longer require a lawn mower, the fuel or electricity to power it. We often neglect our gardens in winter, but with artificial grass you will want to outside all year round.

We can reassure you artificial grass is resilient and will tolerate more extreme weather conditions. Yes, the grass blades may stiffen when the weather is icy or frosty, but they will return to their former glory as soon as the ice melts.

Snow and cold weather can cause severe damage to natural grass and leave it with off colour or bare patches. However, the UK winters will not affect artificial grass, due its high durability it can withstand rain, snow, frost, and ice. Our artificial grass has a life expectancy of 15-20 years. Here in the UK, we are familiar with rainy days. Artificial grass provides effective drainage, which prevents your garden from flooding from heavy rain.
We all love snow until we are left with slush and muddy remains. This is one of the many benefits of artificial grass, there is no mud! This means you are able to enjoy your garden all year round without a worry of children or dogs trailing mud into the house.

Outdoor surfaces such as patio and decking can become extremely slippery during wet and icy conditions. Fake grass still has more grip and is a safer option.

Many sport games and events get cancelled due to flooded pitches and the ground conditions not being fit for playing on. With artificial grass you wouldn’t need to worry, you have an even surface, its easy to clear any snowfall as well as draining freely following periods of heavy rain.

Artificial grass is a durable surface that can be used outside in any climate, as long as it is cleaned regularly to remove dirt and debris. Brushing up the grass is part of the necessary maintenance to ensure your lawn is kept looking fresh for as long as possible. The frequency with which artificial grass will need brushing up varies. This is dependent on the type of lawn usage, frequency of usage and the type of grass installed.

If your lawn sees heavy footfall for any extended period of time – perhaps you’ve had the family over for a BBQ or your children have been practicing their 5-a-side skills with friends – the pressure of this high footfall in combination with gravitational pull over time will cause the grass blades wilt towards a horizontal position. The purpose of brushing up the yarns is to return them to their upright position whilst simultaneously removing dirt and debris from the surface, keeping the fibres from lying flat.

Artificial grass which is neglected will not only have more build-up of dirt, but can end up damaged beyond repair if not maintained properly. This is especially true if you have dogs. The build-up of pet waste can cause harmful bacteria and toxic ammonia to ruin the grass, leaving behind an unpleasant smell that’s impossible to get rid of. Pet friendly artificial grass requires a more specific approach to maintenance. You can learn more about how to look after artificial grass if you have dogs here.

Normal household brushes will not be the best for artificial grass. Their bristles are too flimsy to brush through the grass thoroughly. There are specially made brushes with stiff fibber bristles that can penetrate the fibres and remove dirt from deep within the blades. This type of brush is referred to as a turf brush or broom. It’s worth taking note of the material the brush’s bristles are made of. We’ve found that rubber bristled turf brooms are the least effective at clearing dirt and debris. The best brooms tend to have hard wearing plastic bristles or will be made from Arenga, a tough elastic palm fibre.

If you would rather invest in a more heavy-duty turf brush, there are both domestic and industrial mechanical brushes designed specifically for brushing up artificial grass. These vary greatly in price depending on the brand, mechanics and retailer, so we always recommend doing some research, choosing a reputable merchant and reading the reviews before purchasing.

Once you’ve got your turf brush, the rest is straight forward! You’ll need to brush the entire lawn, making sure to brush against the grain of the yarns. (So you’re brushing away from the direction your grass has started to lay flat) We find many customers love brushing their grass as it reminds them of mowing the lawn, without being anywhere near as labour intensive. You can even get creative by brushing one way and then the other in straight alternate lines, to give a striped lawn effect.

If all of this sounds like a bit too much like hard work, then don’t worry we’ve got you covered! We offer a premium maintenance service for both regular latex and K9 Turf pet friendly artificial grasses. It’s also worth noting that receipt of your bi-annual maintenance service for K9 Turf extends your warranty up to 18 years! You’ve already invested in your outdoor space, so we want to ensure that investment can be enjoyed by pets, friends and family alike for years to come!

We hope you find this guide on how to brush up artificial grass has given you a better understanding of how to maintain your artificial lawn. If you find you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch and a member of our dedicated team will be more than happy to assist you.

Artificial grass is an investment which should be considered carefully before going ahead. If pets need to be taken into consideration, planning becomes even more crucial as oftentimes the artificial lawn will be an extension of their living space too. In recent years we have seen a rising number of enquiries about whether artificial grass is suitable for pets such as dogs, cats and even chickens! Then, following lockdown, people had more questions about suitability for smaller pets, most commonly artificial grass for rabbits. As a result our awesome team have put together this handy guide for rabbit owners. We cover everything you need to know before deciding to invest in artificial grass for your rabbits.

When planning an artificial grass installation which needs to be suitable for rabbits, it’s important to ensure the type of grass used is 100% pet friendly. This means it should be made from inert, non-toxic polymers which are chemically stable and soft. In addition to this, if your grass requires an infill, we highly recommend Zeofill as it is specifically designed to absorb moisture as well as unpleasant odours and is non-toxic even if ingested. It’s also worth investing in an artificial grass which features ProFlow Polyurethane backing, this allows urine to drain through the entire backing (without having to search for drainage holes) and makes cleaning the grass as easy as giving it a sweep, followed by a good hose down.

To the human eye real grass, when compared to high quality artificial grass, is uncannily similar. However to rabbits, who have a heightened sense of smell and taste, the two could not be more different. Because of this, it is unlikely that your rabbit will take to eating artificial grass because they have mistaken this for real grass. Whilst the vast majority of rabbit owners who have kept their pets on artificial grass have reported they had no problems at all, there are some rabbits who simply love to chew whatever they can get their teeth on. If you suspect your pet may end up chewing at the grass, it’s best to get a sample of the grass you would like to use and see how your rabbit behaves on the grass.

There’s a whole host of benefits to investing in artificial grass for both your home and pets. For rabbits in particular, an artificial lawn creates an extension of their outdoor living space, providing a lush and comfortable surface for your rabbits to roam and play on. Artificial grass is incredibly easy to maintain and soft enough for bunnies to run around without hurting their feet, whilst closely replicating the look and feel of their natural habitat.

Not only is artificial grass the perfect solution to creating a vast space for your pets to play freely, but it can also be incredibly useful for making your rabbits hutch or cage more comfortable. Rabbits treat their hutch the same way humans treat their homes, as a safe haven to relax and unwind in. Proving an area within the hutch that has a different surface texture not only adds another level of comfort to the space in its entirety, but also gives the feel of a separate ‘room’ within the hutch which you may find your rabbit prefers to rest on when not sleeping.

We hope you find these tips helpful when deciding whether to invest in artificial grass for your rabbits. As always we love hearing from our customers and their fur babies, so if you do take the plunge and deck your rabbit’s hutch out with Yorkshire Artificial Grass, be sure to tag is on social media in any photos or videos! If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be more than happy to assist you.

We know that artificial grass is an investment which our customers expect to withstand fair usage for years and in some cases decades. To ensure this is possible it is vital you choose a skilled, experienced landscaper with a first class portfolio. We have put together a list of 5 key things to ask your artificial grass installer, so that you know exactly what you’re paying for an can have peace of mind that your investment is in safe hands.

Understanding how long the installation will take is key. All reputable installers will require you to be present upon completion of the installation to ensure you are happy with the standard of work which has been carried out. Depending on the access to the area you may need to be home for the duration of the installation. If your installation is larger or more complex, this may require more than one day work. It is worth noting that the cost of installation will reflect this, as your quote includes cost of labour in addition to materials.

Your quotation and subsequent contract should outline exactly what is included in the installation pricing. As a customer it is important you understand whether the quotation you are given includes laying of a solid sub-base before installation and if you would like any additional works such as decking or pathways, that this is clearly priced on the quotation. It is also worth noting whether the contract outlines any additional costs which you are responsible for, for example some companies may require you to organise and pay for a skip to take away any waste.

When choosing the grass you would like to have installed, you need to consider what the site of the finished project will be used for. If the site is likely to see frequent footfall, it is worth investing in a premium spring back grass, as this will be much more durable and requires less maintenance following heavy footfall. Any reputable landscaper should offer a range of grasses fit for a variety of purposes, which they can guide the customer through when choosing the ideal grass for their project. Ask for samples so that you can see the difference between the grasses when laid out in direct sunlight.

We cannot stress enough how vital it is to check both the warranty and guarantee policies offered by your chosen landscaper. Artificial grass is an investment which you should expect to enjoy the fruits of for years to come. Any reputable landscaper with confidence in their products and processes should be comfortable offering warranty and guarantee on their installations of up to 10 years, if not more in some cases. If details of the warranty and guarantee are not given in the contract this should raise alarm bells, do not sign anything until you have clarity on this matter.

It’s always worth asking to see examples of their previous installations to get an idea of the quality of the work your chosen installer has completed most recently. Whilst it’s useful checking their website for any galleries they have uploaded themselves, it’s also worth taking a look at their social media ‘tagged’ posts and any customer submitted photos available on their Google business page. This will give you a view of their work from verified customers who can vouch for the business and their practices first-hand.

We hope this list serves as a reminder of the 5 things you must ask your artificial grass installers, to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible from a reputable source. Remember it’s your responsibility to ask as many questions as possible to ensure you understand exactly what you are paying for, likewise it is the responsibility of the installer to have clear and concise answers to these questions which instil you with confidence. If you have any doubts, you can always request quotes from other landscapers to compare and make sure you’re getting the best deal.

The vertical installation of artificial grass as statement wall décor has grown ever-more popular in recent years. Whilst adopted originally by modern businesses eager to bring the outdoor in, the general public have seen this as inspiration for their own décor and began to ask: ‘is it possible to create your own grass wall at home?’ We’re pleased to inform you that not only is it possible, but it’s also fairly easy and affordable to do! Just follow these easy steps.

Creating your own grass wall at home is as quick and easy as you make it, with all of the materials below easily modifiable depending on the size and design of your project. If you are goal is to create a basic feature wall by laying the artificial grass as is, you will only need a few supplies which can be purchases easily from your nearest hardware store.

The first step to create your own artificial grass wall at home is to measure out the size of the wall you plan to use for this project, being generous with your calculations to give leeway for cutting and corners.

If you are planning to create a more highly decorative wall, you will need to plan out your design more carefully. Particularly if you plan to use more than one cut/colour of grass or would like additional decorations placed in a specific pattern. In this care it’s best to take pen to paper and drawing up a detailed plan, you can then take your chalk and sketch out the plan directly onto the wall.

Now you’ve got your measurements and know exactly what you want the finished project to look like, it’s time to purchase your supplies! As this project is purely decorative, the perfect grass and accessories will vary from person to person subject to personal tastes. We have a wide range of grasses suitable for vertical installation, including coloured grasses if you’re going for a bold statement! If you’d rather something more subtle, you could always experiment with artificial flowers in a soft colour palette.

Once you have the grass you’ll need to cut it down according to your project’s requirements. If you are working on a large grass wall you will likely have bought a full roll of artificial grass. The best way to approach cutting a roll down to size is to simply roll it out, then use a measuring tape and chalk to make lines on the grass, so you know where to cut. If you have purchased stemmed artificial flowers and plants, these may will also need cutting down to size – being sure to leave enough foliage to apply your chosen adhesive.

Now that your grass and accessories are cut to size and you have a plan for your design sketched out, it’s time to start affixing them to your wall. The method for attaching the grass to the wall and type of adhesive you’ll need will differ depending on the type of surface your wall is made from.

You could leave it there, as the artificial grass alone is a striking addition to any room décor; but if your aim is to create a more luxurious, highly decorated grass wall, now’s the time to get creative! You can apply artificial flowers and plants using the adhesive from the previous step. For sports fans why not use some white paint to map out the sports outlines and decorate with miniature sports gear? The possibilities are as endless as your imagination is limitless!

We hope this step-by-step guide has given you the inspiration and confidence to create your artificial grass wall. Whether the project is for your home or business, we’d love to see your photos of the completed wall. But if all of this sounds too much like hard work, our skilled landscapers are more than happy to complete vertical installations too! Why not get in touch today for a free quote?

Problem: So it’s been a little while since your artificial grass was installed, perhaps a few months to a year. Over time you’ve noticed areas of the lawn have started to dip or sink, this can often cause the grass to look rippled and uneven.

Solution: If your lawn has been installed by an experienced landscaper this should not happen. Your landscaper is responsible for creating a solid foundation for the grass to be laid on. Unfortunately if you are experiencing the issues above it’s likely the sub-base your artificial grass was installed onto is sub-par. The only solution is to pull up the grass and fix the sub-base so the lawn can be re-laid.

Problem: You have dogs who use the often to play as well as use the toilet. The pet waste build-up overtime has caused an unbearable ammonia smell which has rendered your garden useless to anyone but your pup (and even he’s started to turn his nose up)

Solution: If you chose to have the revolutionary K9Turf pet friendly artificial grass installed, then you don’t have anything to worry about! Whilst a full lawn reset can be costly, it’s certainly possible to return your garden to its former glory. After which, the necessary maintenance (topping up zeolite levels when needed and use of K9 bio-enzyme cleaner) must be adhered to, to prevent the problem arising again.

Problem: If you notice weeds are beginning to appear on your artificial lawn don’t panic! It’s highly unlikely the weeds will be sprouting directly through your artificial grass, if it was installed professionally there will be a membrane layer beneath the grass to prevent this. The weeds you are seeing are most likely airborne and have been blown onto your lawn from neighbouring gardens or greenspaces.

Solution: Luckily there’s a quick fix for pesky weeds; simply remove any that are visible to the eye either by hand or with a stiff bristled brush. Then apply your preferred weed killer to the entire lawn, paying special attention to problem areas.

Choosing artificial grass doesn’t mean your garden cannot still be home to a wealth of wildlife. After all, the less time spent maintaining your lawn, the more time you’ll have welcoming and observing the wonderous wildlife your garden attracts. If this is something you desire here’s how to make it possible!

Flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, adding bright pops of colour and heavenly scents to your outdoor space. Not only that, but flowers encourage pollinators to make your garden a regular stop on their rounds! It is a common misconception that bees are solely responsible for pollination, however pollination is actually the doing of all invertebrates, which honeybees make up a significant proportion of. Welcoming these hard-working insects into your garden with Sunflowers, Daisies, Lavender & Marigolds helps strengthen your local ecosystem’s biodiversity.

Want to make the most of your artificial lawns installation without compromising your passion for gardening? Vertical planters are the perfect space-saving solution! They look beautiful in any outdoor space and entice pollinators to help develop your plants’ fruits. Not only do they look the part, but they also keep your fruits and veggies away from pests which could eat away at the fruits of your labour before you get the chance to! Growing climbing plants, such as ivy, is invaluable to wildlife as it provides year-round cover for birds and insects, in addition to being a great source of food and pollen.

Creating nesting spot in your garden for birds to bed down is another wonderful way to welcome more wildlife into you garden. Place your bird box in a high spot either in a tree or on the side of your property. In spring, when birds begin to reproduce, it’s best to provide feed high in protein like dry oats, sunflower seeds and even kitchen scraps like cheese! However, in the colder months seed-based feed will withstand the winter weather much longer. If your garden see’s fair interest for cats, it’s important to place the bird box under cover of thick trees or bushes for protection.

We hope you find these tips help you attract wildlife into your garden this summer! If you like the sound of having more time to welcome and observe the wildlife you attract to your garden by spending less time tending your lawn, an artificial grass installation could be the answer you’re looking for! Get in touch today and a member of our dedicated team will be happy to assist you.

• What is infill?

Infill, in regard to artificial grass, refers to a product which is placed between the synthetic blades of grass. This is usually achieved by brushing the infill through the artificial grass fibres with a mechanical brush. The purpose of infill is to help the fibres stand up or return to their upright position after exposure to high pressure or heavy footfall.

• Benefits of infill

All non-spring back artificial grasses require some form of support in order for the blades to return to their upright position, particularly after heavy footfall or pressure applied to the blades. This is a mechanical function performed by the infill to keep the artificial grass looking as pristine as possible for as long as possible.

Infill not only helps to maintain the aesthetics of your artificial lawn, but it also gives a more realistic feel to grass as the infill mimics both the impact and absorption quality of soil under real turf. Additionally, if you have pets, infill is the ideal solution to ensuring your artificial grass doesn’t get too hot for your pets’ paws over the summer months.

• Types of infill

Sand is the most commonly used material for artificial grass infill, this is due to its vast availability and fairly low cost. However, its low cost is not without cons, as sand is not rounded but rather angular it can cause the fibres to break down over time. If you have pets it’s also worth noting that sand is notorious for harbouring moisture, creating the ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

• Pros of Zeolite

Zeolite is a non-toxic and pet safe volcanic mineral that has moisture absorbing properties. Zeolite is a popular artificial grass infill choice for pet owners as it functions similarly to kitty litter. As soon as pet waste hits the Zeolite infill it crystallises, along with any harmful bacteria it contains. The crystallised pet waste is then held by the Zeolite until rainfall, or a good hose down, washes the Zeolite away. This process works exclusively in tandem with ProFlow Polyurethane backed grasses, which can be found on products like K9Turf and PetTurf pet friendly artificial grasses.

• Application

To get the most even distribution of infill, it is recommended that a drop spreader is used to initially lay the infill. These can be purchased at any large DIY store or builder’s merchants. Once laid, the infill needs to be brushed into the artificial yarns using either a mechanical brush or a still bristled yard broom.

• What will the area be used for?

This is the first thing you should consider when deciding whether to invest in artificial grass. If the area is likely to see heavy footfall, with children and family playing on the lawn regularly, it worth looking into super spring grasses as these won’t flatten down after heavy footfall in the same way softer grasses do. If you intend to use the area for sports we recommend a short to mid-range pile height, usually between 18-30mm. We have a wide array of grasses that cater to all levels of footfall. If your lawn is more likely to be used by pets than people, read on…

• Do you have dogs?

If you have dogs and they use the lawn as a toilet (whether frequently or occasionally) it is imperative that you choose a pet friendly artificial grass. Latex backed grasses do not have sufficient drainage to dispose of pet waste efficiently, leading to a build up of harmful bacteria and toxic ammonia over time. Pet friendly grasses, such as K9Turf and PetTurf, have a specialist quadro-bind backing that allows the entire backing to act as a drainage ‘hole’. It’s worth noting pet friendly grasses work in conjunction with Zeolite infill which causes pet urine to crystallise on contact, preventing any unpleasant smells from escaping until heavy rain or a good hose down washes the waste away.

• What kind of maintenance is required?

Artificial grass is an investment, that you should reap the benefits of for years to come, but this is only possible with proper maintenance. The maintenance required will depend largely on the type of grass you have chosen for installation. A general rule of thumb for latex backed grasses, is that the longer the pile height – the more maintenance it will require. This is because gravity has a greater impact on longer yarns, causing them to lay down over extended periods of time. To remedy this, you will need to take a stiff bristled broom or mechanical brush and thoroughly brush through the yarns to return them to up-right position. If you have opted for pet friendly grass, this will require a higher level of maintenance, by using bio-enzyme cleaners on the lawn after pets use it at as a toilet, in addition to topping up the Zeolite infill as this depletes over time.

• How long do you plan to have the site?

As we mentioned above, artificial grass is an investment! Whilst pulling up laid grass and re-installing it elsewhere isn’t unheard of, it’s probably won’t be so easy to sell your house if the lawn is a mudslide. Quality artificial grass should last you at least 10 years of service, the last thing you want is to have your install completed only to move the next year, so how long you plan to own/live at the site is definitely worth taking into consideration.

• What’s your budget?

With artificial grass, and any other product really, you get what you pay for! If your installation is primarily for decorative purposes, it makes sense to save yourself the money and opt for a cheaper grass. However, if the installation area is somewhere you intend to use frequently for years to come, it’s worth investing in a higher quality grass (which will usually have a greater warranty and guarantee!). We pride ourselves on supplying a wide range of quality artificial grasses suited to all budgets and projects.