A year ago, if you’d told me I’d be raving about synthetic grass in nz, I would have laughed. I was one of those people who swore by real grass—even if mine looked half-dead most of the time. But after moving into a rental with a backyard that refused to stay green, I decided to give artificial grass a go.

Now, after a full year of living with it, I feel like I have some real insights to share. If you’re thinking about making the switch, here’s what you need to know.

1. The Installation Process Took More Effort Than Expected

I had this idea that synthetic grass was as easy as rolling out a carpet—instant lawn, no fuss. Turns out, not quite. While I didn’t do it myself (I got a friend to help), there were a few key steps that made all the difference:

• Preparing the base – Removing weeds, levelling the ground, and laying a good foundation (like crushed rock or sand) is crucial.
• Getting the drainage right – Artificial grass doesn’t absorb water like real grass, so you need proper drainage underneath, or you’ll end up with puddles.
• Securing the edges – If you don’t fix it down properly, it can shift over time, especially in windy areas.

I underestimated how much prep was needed, but honestly, it was worth every bit of effort because once it was down—it stayed down.

2. It Looks Great Year-Round

One of the biggest perks? My backyard looks the same no matter the season. No more brown patches in summer, no more muddy mess in winter.

I’ve had friends come over who were convinced it was real grass until they touched it. The trick is choosing one that has a mix of green shades, instead of that flat, obviously fake green that screams "plastic."

3. Maintenance Is Basically Non-Existent

I used to spend my weekends pulling out weeds and stressing about patchy grass. Now? A quick hose down every now and then and the occasional sweep to remove leaves, and that’s it.

For busy people, it’s an absolute dream.

4. The Downsides – Because It’s Not Perfect

I love my synthetic grass, but I won’t pretend it’s flawless. Here are the main drawbacks:

• It gets hot in summer. If you get a lot of direct sun, it can feel quite warm underfoot. I manage this by hosing it down on extra hot days.
• It doesn’t have that real grass feel. While it looks real, if you’re used to the softness of natural grass underfoot, you’ll notice a difference.
• It doesn’t support natural biodiversity. No worms, no natural soil ecosystem. It’s low-maintenance but not as ‘green’ in an environmental sense.

Final Thoughts

Would I choose synthetic grass in NZ again? Absolutely. My backyard went from an overgrown nightmare to a low-maintenance paradise. If you want a lush lawn without the work, it’s 100% worth considering!