Has anybody put Astro Turf in their garden?

[eyeshade]

We have two grass circles that are awful, the grass is not good and has little soil underneath it, each year more of it dies and I don't have time to tend to it. Has anyone got astro turf and what did they think? Money well spent?

[Clanad]

I'd be reluctant to use artificial turf like that unless it was placed over a cement slab. The turf will buckle with each rain and the bugs that will live beneath it are legion... It won't lay flat for you since it's really meant to be glued down... Good luck, though!

[landscaper2]

There's no magic answer. As Clanad says, artificial turf needs preparation which will require excavation and a base - and will deteriorate anyway with time. How long does it take to maintain a couple of grass circles - 30mins? Time well spent. Buy some seed, a wire rake, scratch seed into the bare patches and open up with a fork to areate. Some fertilizer, weekly cutting and a bit of watering will keep it going.

[eyeshade]

You make it all sound so easy ! You are right of course and I have been doing this but not well and therefore I will do the seeding, scratching, raking, areating, fertilizing, watering and cutting thing again come spring! Second thought can you come and do it for me Landscaper"?

[landscaper2]

Would love to help you out eyeshade, as long as you live in my little corner of Essex and will pay my very reasonable rates! But I'm sure you'll make a great job of it tho!