Artificial vs Real Grass – Which Is Best for You?

Thinking about installing a lawn in your garden? Whether you’re considering real turf or going low maintenance with artificial grass, Reshape Landscaping Ltd is here to help you weigh up the options.

With changing weather, busy lifestyles, and evolving garden trends across the UK, homeowners in Lincolnshire often ask:“Should I choose artificial turf or real grass for my garden?”

We’ve outlined the pros and cons of both options below so you can make the best choice for your home, family, and garden goals.

Real Grass Lawns – The Traditional Choice

Pros of Real Grass:

Natural look, feel, and scent
Cools the air and supports biodiversity
Improves soil health and absorbs carbon
Great for children and pets to enjoy

Cons of Real Grass:

Requires regular mowing and edging
Needs watering in dry spells and good drainage during wetter months
Susceptible to moss, weeds, and pests
Can become patchy with heavy foot traffic

Popular Grass Types for UK Gardens:

Ryegrass Mixes – hardwearing and fast-growing
Fescues – finer blades, ideal for a neat finish
Bents – commonly used in ornamental lawns

Artificial Grass – Low Maintenance, All-Year Green

Pros of Artificial Grass:

No mowing, watering, or feeding needed
Green and tidy 365 days a year
Ideal for shaded or high-traffic areas
Great for those with mobility limitations or less time for gardening

Cons of Artificial Grass:

Higher upfront cost to install
Can retain more heat in direct sun
Doesn’t support local wildlife or soil health
Needs periodic cleaning to remove debris and prevent odours

Best Uses for Artificial Grass:

Family gardens, dog runs, play areas
Rooftop spaces, balconies, and shaded gardens
Low-maintenance front lawns or holiday lets

Artificial vs Real Grass – Key Considerations

When choosing between artificial and real grass, consider the following:

Appearance: Real grass offers a natural look and feel, while artificial grass stays perfectly green and tidy all year round.
Maintenance: Real grass needs regular care (mowing, feeding, watering). Artificial grass requires very little upkeep.
Cost: Real grass is cheaper to install but more expensive to maintain long-term. Artificial grass has a higher upfront cost but lower ongoing expenses.
Wildlife & Environment: Real grass supports biodiversity and helps pollinators, while artificial grass does not.
Drainage: Both can drain well if installed correctly, but artificial turf often includes a sub-base that enhances drainage.
Durability: Real grass can wear down over time. Artificial turf can last 10–15 years with minimal upkeep.

How Turf and Artificial Grass Are Laid

Both lawns start with the same groundwork. The old lawn and any weeds are cleared, and the ground is levelled so the new surface sits evenly against paths, patios and borders.

For turf, the ground is raked to a fine, firm finish and the rolls are laid tight together in a staggered pattern. The new lawn is then watered in and kept off while it roots.

For artificial grass, the existing lawn is dug out and an edge restraint is fitted around the area. A free-draining sub-base is laid and compacted, then the grass is laid, joined and secured at the edges.

What Affects the Cost of Turf and Artificial Grass

For both, the size and shape of the lawn, access to the garden and the amount of ground preparation set the cost. Spoil removal and new edging add to it where the old lawn has to come out.

With artificial grass, the product and pile height chosen also make a difference. With turf, the main factors are the turf itself and any topsoil needed to bring the ground up to level.

Every quote we send is written and sets out each stage of the work, so the two options can be compared side by side.

Our Recommendation

If you love gardening, enjoy the natural look and feel, and don’t mind a bit of maintenance, real grass might be right for you. But if you want a clean, modern look with minimal effort year-round, artificial grass is a fantastic investment, especially in shaded, high-traffic, or awkward-to-maintain areas.

At Reshape Landscaping Ltd, we offer:

Professional turf laying and lawn care
High-quality artificial grass installation
Free consultations to assess your garden and needs

Whether you’re going green with grass or opting for artificial, we’ll help you get the perfect lawn for your home.

Contact Reshape Landscaping Ltd today to get started with a no-obligation quote.

Our artificial grass and turf and lawn care pages cover both options in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Sleaford, and throughout Lincolnshire.

📍 Proudly serving Lincoln and the surrounding areas.