Lawns are the centrepiece of a traditional garden. Most of us assume that every garden needs a lawn. But a growing number of homeowners are saying no to natural lawns and are opting for artificial grass or stone gardens instead. There are definitely benefits to lawns, but there are drawbacks too. This post weighs up some of the pros and cons of owning a lawn to help you decide whether your garden needs one.

The pros

A well-maintained lawn looks beautiful

There’s no denying that a perfectly manicured lawn is an attractive feature. A front lawn can make your home stand out on the kerb, while a rear lawn can bring a burst of colour to your back garden that you don’t get by paving it over.

They’re great spaces for kids and pets

Lawns are great areas for young kids to play on – they can provide a soft surface for safely playing all kinds of outdoor games. Lawns are also great if you have cats and dogs – they’re ideal spaces to play, exercise, cool off and relieve themselves (many animals don’t like doing their business on a hard surface).

They can be good for the environment

There are also environmental benefits to having a lawn. Your average lawn can produce enough oxygen to sustain a family of four and can greatly help to tackle local air pollution. Lawns can also support local wildlife. Of course, certain lawn care methods like using chemical fertilisers and a petrol mower may cancel out these environmental benefits.

They can add value to your property

Most homebuyers still want a garden with a lawn. Therefore, a lawn is more likely to add value to a home. Getting rid of your lawn may devalue your home, which is something to be wary of if you plan to sell in the future.

The cons

They’re high maintenance

If you want your lawn to look good, you’ll need to be prepared to do a lot of upkeep. The basics of lawn care include mowing your lawn and watering it in the summer. However, those who want their lawn to look truly striking may need to consider removing weeds, trimming the edges, adding fertiliser and potentially controlling pests/disease. Mowing is often the most labour-intensive task, however many modern lawn mowers are designed to make mowing very easy. To help water your lawn, a decent hose pipe or sprinklers could be worth investing in. Saying no to a lawn could allow you to avoid all of this maintenance, and could be the best choice for those with busy lives.

They use up a lot of water

Speaking of watering your lawn, you could find that keeping your lawn hydrated in the summer greatly increases your water bill. Doing away with a lawn could help to combat local water shortages while saving you money on your utility bills. Of course, harvesting rainwater can be another solution to reduce your mains water usage.

Lawn care can be noisy

Lawn mowers can contribute to local noise pollution. Petrol mowers are the loudest options, while electric mowers tend to be quieter. The quietest option is a traditional manual mower – which is completely silent – but this is a very labour-intensive way to mow your lawn.

They can trigger grass allergies

If you have hayfever that is triggered by grass pollen, a lawn could increase the chance of you having an allergic reaction each morning and evening. Doing away with a lawn could potentially prevent you from having to take daily antihistamines and you may be able to enjoy spending time in your garden more peacefully. Of course, if your neighbours have lawns, it may not make much impact whether you have one or not.

Do you need a lawn?

If you have kids or pets, it’s generally a good idea to have some lawn space in your garden, even in a small garden. Lawns are also a good choice if you want to add value to your home or kerb appeal, providing you’re willing to maintain it. Environmentalists may also see the benefit of a lawn – however you’ll need to use eco-friendly lawn care methods.

Don’t have the time or effort for gardening? In this instance, saying no to a lawn might be the best idea. You may also want to avoid a lawn if you have severe grass allergies or want to save money on your water bill. If you care deeply about local noise pollution, choosing not to have lawn could also help to keep your area quiet by not having to use a lawnmower.

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