The marvel of modern garden living

Recently, The Husband and I finally took the leap of faith required to repair the puppy damage around the house. By puppy damage, I mean, the 2' by 2' area of plaster missing on the kitchen wall (eaten), the edges of the skirting boards (eaten), the sides of the doorways (eaten). SO the house now looks just as I had intended it too and we're just keeping everything crossed that the 2 monsters responsible for afore mentioned damage are now out of their chewing phase.

The only thing is, now the snow has gone, we took a fresh look at the garden...OMG!  We're not gardeners.  We will never be gardeners.  Imagine, a large garden attached to a new house, with lawn laid very, very quickly in freezing conditions mid December 2001 by yours truly and The Husband.  Now imagine the hammering that badly laid lawn took with an extension being built on it for 3 months and 2 puppies, digging, moving dirt around, digging, moving more dirt around - I'm sure you get the picture.  Now imagine a dog that likes to eat fence panels, the last straw being just a month ago when William actually put his head through to next door's garden...7 fence panels and 700 pounds later...aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

This spring, I have decided it's the garden's turn for a make-over but the problem is I'm no Charlie Dimmock (we've all ascertained that) and I don't know her either! I've spoken to several garden designers, talked over lots of designs and they ask questions like 'What do you want to use the space for?' and 'What feel are you looking for?'. Several have come out with statements such as 'Mmmm....you want the inside-outside' (I do?) and one even told me 'I see uber contemporary meets urban functionality and city chic, terraced minimalism' (I nodded in knowing agreement). Personally I'd settle for a few straight lines, a level lawn devoid of bunkers with a lovely bit of decking to put my haven't-yet-purchased swinging hammock on.

One designer, much more down to earth (sorry couldn't resist!) suggested something I wish I'd thought of years ago – astro turf!

Yes Astro turf! No mowing, no dying, no digging, no muddy foot prints through the house, no stones for puppies to unearth...perfect! I put the phone down as quickly as possible so I could rejoice with The Husband, the marvel of modern garden living;

Me: 'Astro turf!'

Him: 'What?!'

Me: 'Astro turf'

Him: 'No!'

Me: 'No? Why? It's perfect?'

Him 'Why not put plastic flowers in the garden and be done with it'

Me 'That's just silly!'

Him 'So is fluorescent green fake grass!'

Me 'Astro turf is 'remarkably life like', we could go for 'lazy summer'' (I'm googling)

Him: 'No!'

Several hours later.

Him: ooh 'Lazy Riviera' is not bad...wait...wait...'Lazy Supreme' is really quite lifelike!

Comments

[Alison]

There is a company called lazy lawn... looks like grass and is soft to the touch. I kid you not. I have an acquaintance who runs one of the franchaises - he's been laying it in gardens in Essex and kids playgrounds. If you'd be interested in talking to him, let me know. :)
Alisonx