The Importance of Sustainable Design
Landscape design has become a popular topic in recent years, with social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram serving as sources of inspiration for many homeowners. While these platforms can be great for generating ideas, they can also create unrealistic expectations and lead to unsustainable trends, such as the use of artificial grass.
Artificial grass may seem like a solution for a low-maintenance, perfect lawn, but this convenience comes at a high cost to the environment. The production of artificial grass generates plastic waste and consumes a significant amount of energy. Moreover, the use of artificial grass in gardens contributes to the falsification of nature, as many artificial lawns are made of polypropylene or nylon and can release microplastic pollution into the soil, with serious ecological consequences.
Sustainable garden design is about working in harmony with nature and balancing all the factors that a design will be exposed to over its lifespan. It is important to re-evaluate our design expectations and embrace the beauty of nature. Designers should strive to uphold a standard that prioritises the environment. A natural lawn with a mix of native species and flowers provides a rich and educational experience for children, fostering their connection with the environment. A sense of grounding and exploration that is lost when plasticised.
Maintenance is often cited as a disadvantage of natural lawns, but advances in robotics and low-energy lawn care technology have made it easier than ever to keep a lawn in pristine condition. For example, the use of a robot lawnmower (like the ones we use by Ambrogio) can keep a lawn maintained easily while being environmentally responsible. The electrification of garden machinery is now becoming more accessible and cost-effective, with the cost of a robot lawnmower and a natural lawn often being comparable to or even lower than the cost of installing fake grass.
The use of artificial chemical fertilisers, weed controls, and excessive water consumption were once seen as keys to the perfect lawn and make a persuasive case for artificial lawns, but these practices need to be mitigated in favour of a more sustainable approach. During the drought of 2022, many people were surprised to learn that their lawns were unlikely to die, despite their appearance, as lawns are extremely versatile; throughout its changing appearance, remaining a vital source and protector of nutrition for wildlife.
Of course, a natural lawn may not be suitable for small, shady gardens or areas with poor drainage. However, there are alternatives to artificial grass that can be used to enhance the environment and encourage biodiversity. Designers should be encouraged to make informed choices that not only beautify but promote sustainability and biodiversity, inspiring the next generation to question poor decisions made in the past. Artificial grass is to gardens what asbestos was to health and safety.
In conclusion, if we are concerned about the environment, artificial grass has no place in garden design. A natural lawn with its changing appearance and educational opportunities is a more preferable option. By prioritizing sustainability and biodiversity, we can create gardens that are both beautiful and in harmony with nature. A sustainable garden design is an investment in the future, not just for ourselves but for future generations as well.