Gardening experts are issuing a warning to green thumbs across the UK, with people urged not to install a popular feature. Artificial grass has seen a surge in popularity recently as a low-maintenance alternative to real grass, eliminating the need for weeding, mowing, and re-seeding. However, experts have highlighted two significant drawbacks to replacing natural grass with an artificial version.
The University of Plymouth warns that synthetic grass can harm the garden by damaging the soil and hindering wildlife – such as insects – from breeding and pollinating. Studies show that insect populations have plummeted by up to 80 percent in the UK over the past two decades, and a total collapse could devastate the food chain. Insects rely on real grass and the wildflowers, daisies, buttercups, and even dandelions within it for mating and pollination – none of which is possible with artificial grass.
Flooding is another concern as artificial grass can dry out and damage the soil underneath, failing to absorb rainwater due to its plastic composition. This lack of absorption can lead to flash flooding during heavy rainfall as the water has nowhere to drain.
Mick Hanley, from the University of Plymouth and an expert in Plant-Animal Interactions, highlighted the environmental downsides to artificial lawns. He explained that artificial lawns limit the supply of air and water to the soil beneath them, impacting the tiny organisms that live in the soil. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of urban gardens for biodiversity, supporting pollinators whose populations have declined due to wider agricultural practices and habitat loss.
On the consequences of using artificial grass, he warned about surface run-off after significant rainfall contributing to flooding. Additionally, the environmental issues of manufacturing and shipping large rolls of plastic are highlighted, with artificial grass potentially releasing microplastics into the soil.
In contrast, natural lawns have numerous benefits such as absorbing carbon dioxide, creating an ecological barrier, providing a habitat for insects and birds, improving water quality, preventing soil erosion, and reducing noise pollution. Access to a natural lawn can also help lower stress levels and enhance wellbeing.
Artificial grass, by comparison, does not provide sustenance for living creatures and restricts access to the soil and natural materials essential for healthy soil. It can also contribute to global warming by absorbing more radiation than living grass and displacing plants that could help remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Therefore, gardening experts advise against the use of artificial grass in gardens due to its negative impact on the environment and the benefits natural lawns provide in maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecosystems.