Grass over concrete

[Mel_pasa]

Hello, can anyone help with any advice pls.
We have a concrete floor in the garden which we were thinking of covering with soil (the right amount) and planting grass there. Is this possible?
Thank you in advance

[Ragged Robin]

I am no expert, but I seriously doubt that is a good idea. It is not really sensible to grow grass at all in this climate, even with no end of soil underneath!

Even if the grass "took" you would be having to water it was least twice a day in summer, and apart from being socially and ecologically objectionable (even with water from Turkey!) it would be b.............. hard work!

A concrete garden surface can be made to look quite attractive ( and be very useful!) if filled with chairs, tables and umbrellas , and attractive pots of plants. Depending on depth of concrete you can even have parts of the concrete broken up and planted with shade trees , with decorative pebble edging. Or even some sort of pagoda ? Probably no more expensive than the grass on top of concrete idea.
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I did something like this with a large area of concrete, on a cheap scale - and taking into account washing line and large table for bbbqs , I almost wish I had more of it!

Or have large troughs made (concrete, wood or stone according to budget) fill them with soil and it makes gardening and watering easier - you can plant flowers, veg or greenery for coolness as you want and change easily. If I had the time and money I would also add a fountain (the type that reuses water)>

[Johnny Lee]

Artificial grass maybe. Can look very effective.

[waddo]

Go for Astroturf (or a good substitute), I have spent the last six years trying to grow grass - any sort of grass from Austrailian through all the "guaranteed to grow anywhere" varieties down to Zimbabwean grass on a bit of soil that is around 40 sq mtrs in size. Every year I have added kilos of grass seed and manure, every year I have watered it well (I have a well) and every year I have ended up with a bit of soil full of weeds that thrive and the odd clump of rough grass that even the dogs will not eat!

This year it has come to an end, this year is the year of the plastic grass! I will pay to have it properly laid down, with weed matting underneath it and then I will throw away the second hand tatty lawn mower I bought six years ago (never been used and probably has rusted out in the shed anyway), this year I won't spend on extra electric to pump the water I won't be using on the grass that won't grow anyway.

In short - I have given up on grass (that is supposed to grow) and am going to enjoy my bit of plastic grass which only needs brushing! Good luck with your idea but for me, I would not even try it.

[Will_iam]

The main factor to take into consideration is the drainage. Large concrete areas may be too large and the water may pool. Smaller concrete pads and walkways are more likely to be successful. If it's a large area I'm not sure it would work.

[Keithcaley]

Well, I started typing this some hours ago, as soon as I saw your post, but then I got called away to attend to something else, and I've just had a look at what's been posted in my absence...

I see some excellent suggestions, all eminently practical and suited to the climate and environment that we live in, so I haven't bothered to add anything, as I think that the others have said it all!

My original thoughts: -

My advice would be "Don't do it"!

Grass needs a lot of water on a regular basis and rarely survives the hottest months, even if laid after the September rains start.

Have you considered artificial Turf? - The modern stuff looks really good!

[Mel_pasa]

Thank you everyone for your detailed replies. I am so grateful. Unfortunately the only sad thing is that my husband was right and I was wrong .
I loved the ideas of decorating the concrete but for now I will have to do fake grass as the idea was for my toddler to be able to play outside.
I also was recommend the expensive Australian grass, so thank you for your opinion on the different grasses.
Really appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you x

[Ragged Robin]

Artificial grass is probably the right decision of Mel pasa when the main object is a play area for a toddler.

However, since the subject has been raised, Waddo, how does artificial grass work with dogs - I don't mean them eating the stuff , I mean what comes out the other end! One advantage of concrete , it can be brushed and/or hosed down. Is artificial grass easy to clean?

Another point to bear in mind is , how near the house. It is not a bad idea to have a "cordon sanitaire" of hard landscaping abutting the house, instead of planting, as it does not provide sanctuary for rodents, insect and snakes! I suppose artificial grass laid on concrete would do the same.s

[Dalartokat]

Thank you everyone for your detailed replies. I am so grateful. Unfortunately the only sad thing is that my husband was right and I was wrong .
I loved the ideas of decorating the concrete but for now I will have to do fake grass as the idea was for my toddler to be able to play outside.
I also was recommend the expensive Australian grass, so thank you for your opinion on the different grasses.
Really appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you x

As it's somewhere for your toddler to play why not consider foam play mats if your able to purchase in NC. There must be somewhere North or South you can purchase them. I've just got some for my granddaughter(I am in UK) Just coloured foam tiles that interlock. Similar to this..................https://www.therange.co.uk/search?q=9%2 ... mat#page_1

Depending upon budget and size of area to cover you could make a large decking box and fill it with a mixture and grow a sedum lawn which would be almost drought resistant. The downside would be walking on it too much could damage the plant and you would have to wait for it to grow back, but you could put the playmats on top.

[waddo]

The idea of foam mats is sound but not here I am afraid, have you seen what the high UV effect here has on foam? Maybe you would get a year or two out of them then they would turn to dust! Even the dense rubber mats that are put down in children's play areas fail after a few years exposure.

Artificial grass works well with dogs - the same as it does with children - of course they both have accidents but then they can be cleaned up easily, the same as you would clean up after your child. The big advantage is that the artificial grass will never grow any higher and hide any missed "accidents" for you or your children to step in!!! I have two pointers (dogs) who love artificial grass, it must be good for scratching as they just love to roll on it but have never had any accidents on it as they have been trained to a gravel patch at the bottom of the garden.

If you go artificial then don't go "Cheap" it has to be a good grass or it will not last and it will always look "Plastic".

[kerry 6138]

As it's somewhere for your toddler to play why not consider foam play mats if your able to purchase in NC. There must be somewhere North or South you can purchase them. I've just got some for my granddaughter(I am in UK) Just coloured foam tiles that interlock. Similar to this..................https://www.therange.co.uk/search?q=9%2 ... mat#page_1


we have about 20 or so of these in the Kar shop in Girne if you come in on Friday I'll dig them out of storage for you.

[Mel_pasa]

Thank you Everyone for your helpful comments. I think it will be artificial grass for us.
Will definitely look into some good quality artificial grass.
As for play Mats that's also a good idea. I will let you k is through PM if I need them and come and visit the KAR shop.
Thank you again everyone

[Ragged Robin]

[quote="waddo"

Artificial grass works well with dogs - the same as it does with children - of course they both have accidents but then they can be cleaned up easily, the same as you would clean up after your child. The big advantage is that the artificial grass will never grow any higher and hide any missed "accidents" for you or your children to step in!!! I have two pointers (dogs) who love artificial grass, it must be good for scratching as they just love to roll on it but have never had any accidents on it as they have been trained to a gravel patch at the bottom of the garden.

But Waddo , my dogs will not wear nappies! They are trained to use the bottom of the garden (in fact they chose to, dogs don't foul what they see as lviing areas unless they have to) but like all animals, incuding humans , they can have tummy upsets or get "caught short". My concrete area was originally gravel (cheap stuff not the attractive pebble type) and the dogs do was murder to clean off, and fallen and blown leaves if anything even worse. With concrete, I can just brush or swill it down, if necessary with soap or something like Jeyes Fluid . I just wondered how easy it was with artificial grass.

Talking of dogs, I suggest Mel Pasa thinks about fencing the area, not so much to keep the child in (though that is important, particularly if there is as swimming pool), as stray animals, particularly large dogs, out. A cheap fence could easily be disguised by climbing plants, in plastic post which dont shatter if inside the enclosure. But do check first for scratchy, poisonous plants and if not in pots those that grow so fast they will colonise the grden.
Note that honeysuckle smells lovely but wasps think so tooo!

With a child I think the safety and softeness of the surface is vital: as it grows things like swings, trampelines, even climbing frames can then be adeed added.

[Ragged Robin]

The idea of foam mats is sound but not here I am afraid, have you seen what the high UV effect here has on foam? Maybe you would get a year or two out of them then they would turn to dust! Even the dense rubber mats that are put down in children's play areas fail after a few years exposure.

Artificial grass works well with dogs - the same as it does with children - of course they both have accidents but then they can be cleaned up easily, the same as you would clean up after your child. The big advantage is that the artificial grass will never grow any higher and hide any missed "accidents" for you or your children to step in!!! I have two pointers (dogs) who love artificial grass, it must be good for scratching as they just love to roll on it but have never had any accidents on it as they have been trained to a gravel patch at the bottom of the garden.

If you go artificial then don't go "Cheap" it has to be a good grass or it will not last and it will always look "Plastic".