Synthetic turf keeps the Great Australian lawn alive

As Australians mourn the decline of the lush green lawns they grew up with, many are turning to synthetic alternatives – and one in particular that is virtually impossible to distinguish from the real thing.

Lifestyle Turf has seen a “massive boom” in sales over recent months due to harsh water restrictions preventing householders from maintaining a natural lawn.

And while most hardy synthetic turfs are harsh to the touch, many schools and childcare centres are choosing Lifestyle Turf because it is soft enough for children to roll around on, yet just as hard-wearing.

AFL footballer, Adam Simpson, recently became one of the company’s more famous clients, and was so impressed that – well – he didn’t buy the company, but he decided other Melburnians needed to know about it.

As Captain of Melbourne FC, and father of three children under five, Adam spends a fair bit of time in close proximity to grass – often getting muddy in the process.

Finding an environmentally friendly alternative that was soft, natural-looking and low-maintenance became a priority.

“With three kids and a dog, you can imagine the state of my lawn,” he said. “It used to get wrecked, the dog had no respect for it, and it took up a good two or three hours a week – weeding, watering, mowing, fertilising.”

Add to this the water restrictions, now up to stage 2, and Australians are facing the death of the Great Aussie lawn. Adam tells of a friend who recently established a new lawn, only for it to die back in a matter of weeks.

“After our synthetic turf was laid and stayed looking lush and green, the neighbours thought I’d been cheating – getting up in the night and watering the lawn! They couldn’t believe it wasn’t real.”

Adam spoke nostalgically of childhood days playing cricket and footy in the back yard – something that he believes the current generation of parents don’t want to lose.

“The Australian lawn is a bit of tradition,” he said. “When I saw this product I actually couldn’t believe it wasn’t natural turf – and it means we can still have our patch of green.”

Ideal around pools and in shaded areas, Lifestyle Turf can be fitted in any size yard and is even used to create perfect golf greens.

Go to lifestyleturf.com.au for more information.

Contact information for editors

For more details, an interview with Adam Simpson, or images, contact Paul Ammoun on 0411752595, email pa@sub.net.au