In some gardening circles fake grass is becoming more acceptable. Artificial turf was allowed at the Chelsea Flower Show this year for the first time in its 148 year history.
Fake grass can be manufactured from recycled materials and re-processed once it is used. Enthusiasts also point out it is better for the environment than paving, as the ground can still absorb water therefore reducing the risk of surface water floods. It is soft for children to play on and can now look quite realistic.
Guy Barter, gardening adviser at the Royal Horticultural Society, admitted it has been difficult to keep a lawn green this summer.
At the same time more people have small shady gardens where it is difficult to grow grass and artificial turf is finally becoming fashionable.
“At one point in time people would throw up their hands in horror at the idea of fake grass but when you see the number of make-over programmes and gardening centres where it is featured you can understand why it is catching on," he said.
However, gardening commentator Pippa Greenwood, who appears regularly on BBC2's Gardeners' World, told newspaper that fake grass was “unbelievably revolting”.
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