A homeowner who removed her artificial grass lawn tells how she created a ‘fantastic’ wildlife haven, complete with free stuff from Facebook Marketplace.
Kayleigh Gaskin from North Hertfordshire moved into her home in 2022, along with her partner Mason and their cat, Oswald.
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One of the first tasks on her list was to tear up the artificial grass field in her yard.
She said, “She [artificial lawns] are bad for the environment.
“They take so much energy and water for production and end up in landfill because they cannot be recycled.
“I wanted to create my own wildlife paradise, [and] A plastic carpet did not fit into this vision.”
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Sometimes homeowners install artificial turf fields over concrete. Luckily for Kayleigh, her lawn consisted of just a layer of gravel, a membrane, and soil.
After the artificial grass was removed, the question arose: what should I put down? next?
“I thought about just doing a normal lawn, but I saw a picture of a clover field and thought, ‘I can do that in my garden!’” Kayleigh explains.
She added: “I think they look so beautiful, they give a really whimsical feel to the garden.
“They are also fantastic for pollinators because they bloom in spring and summer.
“Perfectly trimmed lawns are great, but I love the wild look.
“I wanted my garden to be a haven for local wildlife and to capitalise on new trends in rewilding and letting nature do its thing.
“It’s also so much safer for Oswald [the cat] now – I don’t have to worry about him burning his paws when the plastic heats up. It’s so much softer for him to play in.”
Kayleigh kept the costs of transforming her garden to a minimum by doing the manual work herself.
“We didn’t have to pay anyone to remove the artificial turf and then prepare the ground for seeding,” she said.
“Apart from the seed, we only had to pay for some topsoil, which really helped the seed to take root properly.
“We also found some old, crazy paving on Facebook, for free, which we used to create a fairytale-style path to the barn,” she added.
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“The actual seeding and growing of the lawn was so easy. As long as you have the area prepped and ready to go, it will be super easy.
“I’m shocked how fast it’s growing!
“The wildlife in the garden has definitely improved. I have so much more space to plant things, which has also increased the biodiversity of wildlife in the garden.
“It has had such a positive impact on my mental health. It is such a joy to be outside, surrounded by nature and I have loved watching it grow at every stage.
“No matter how small your space is, you can make a big difference.”
Kayleigh regularly shares lawn updates on her Instagram account, @62SunshineHouse.
Chris McIlroy, Lawn Expert at The Grass Peoplehas noticed an increased demand for clover seed and believes it could be ideal for homeowners who want a low-maintenance lawn.
Seasonal Lawn Maintenance Schedule
Lawn maintenance varies by season. Some tasks stimulate growth and root development, while others help maintain soil quality.
Claire Baglin, Landscape Architecture Category Manager of Tool station shared lawn care tasks and tips for every season:
Spring (March, April, May)
- Start mowing the lawn every two weeks in March, when soil and air temperatures are generally above 6°C.
- Fertilize the lawn for the first time in March with a fast-acting fertilizer rich in nitrogen. This fertilizer promotes shoot growth.
- Scarify the lawn for the first time in April to remove moss and felt that can build up over the winter.
- Aerate the lawn in April by poking holes in the soil surface. This will help loosen the soil and promote growth.
- In April you can also sow to fill in thin or bare spots.
Summer (June, July, August)
- From June onwards, start mowing your lawn once a week – except in periods of extreme heat and drought. Raise the mowing height to protect the lawn from possible drought.
- Make sure you treat the lawn for weeds in June. You can do this manually for individual weeds or with a weed killer for larger clusters.
- Make sure to water the lawn at least once a week in July and August by letting it soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Autumn (September, October, November)
- From September onwards, you can reduce the mowing frequency to once every two weeks and carry out the last mowing of the year in November.
- Fertilize the lawn for the second time in October with a slow-release fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium to strengthen the lawn.
- In October and November, remove all fallen leaves and other debris from the lawn.
Winter (December, January, February)
- Leave the lawn alone from December to the end of February. Grass usually does not grow in the colder winter temperatures.
- Winter is the ideal time of year to perform maintenance on your lawn mower, including checking the blades and filters.
He explained: “The fescue grass species and deep root system of clover lawns create a drought-resistant garden that stays green all year round, even through the heat of summer and icy winters.
“Clover lawns also require little maintenance because they are self-feeding, which also keeps costs low.
“When the clover blooms, it gives off a sweet scent and also attracts bees and other pollinators to your garden.
“A clover lawn makes it easier than ever to have a thriving, easy-to-maintain garden that you can enjoy all year round.”
He added that people with a clover lawn don’t have to mow it as often as regular grass and it maintains its lush green color all year round.
“Thanks to its deep roots, a clover lawn remains vibrantly green all year round. It also retains its colour even in the driest British summers,” says Chris.
“Clover lawns are low growing, so you don’t have to mow them often to keep them under control.
“But if you decide your lawn needs mowing, set your lawn mower to a medium-high setting.
Clover naturally grows to about ten to fifteen centimeters tall.
“If you prefer a neater, lower growing carpet of clover across your lawn, you can keep the clover from growing too small by mowing more often.”
