Artificial grass and patio or paving stones compliment each other beautifully. Where you can have difficulty cutting natural grass around paving edges, artificial grass remains neat and tidy all year round. It can save you a lot of effort and worry whilst also creating a more dynamic garden space. We’ve got some advice if you’re planning on renovating your patio, or would like it to match the low maintenance perfection of an artificial lawn…
Choose the right stone for your garden…
Stones are available in a variety of colours, shapes and materials but a lot of them may not be practical for your garden. Sandstone comes in a lovely creamy colour but if your patio is to be in constant use you may have to get on your hands and knees to keep it looking clean. Granite or limestone can also be slippery when wet, something you have to consider if there are small children running around. If you’re looking to install artificial grass, lay your samples against the stone to see which one goes best with what you have.
Make sure it’s laid correctly…
If you’re not comfortable laying flagstones yourself make sure you employ someone who knows what they’re doing. Be wary of anyone that proclaims the ‘dot and dab’ method best, this is where dollops of mortar are used instead of a spread bed. The voids between the dabs can allow for unwanted water collection, make the flags more susceptible to fracture as well as leave damp spots on particularly porous stone. Have a look online to see what this looks like.
Keep up on the up keep…
Sometimes you know you’ve got the perfect patio, it’s just hidden under a bit of dirt! Give it a sweep when you get the chance or rent a power washer if the dirt is particularly stubborn. If you’ve ever seen the industrial ones used in the street they can make an amazing difference, revealing a colour you never knew you had. A Trulawn will require a brush every now and again to keep the grass vertical, so why not kill two birds with one stone and give your stones a sweep at the same time?
Add personal touches…
If your lawn is your pride and joy but you’d like to inject some extra colour the patio is a perfect opportunity. You can really spruce up a patio by adding little details like a potted plant or a garden chair. A large bedding container or a small table can warm up the area and make it much more inviting to spend time in. If you’d like some ideas for low maintenance plants take a look at our Fuss Free Plants for a Fuss Free Garden.
