Fake Grass or Arsto Turf if you like, some experience with the stuff

[dunnyrail]

In the last week my neighbor has had his Garden done with a Fake Grass, being aware of this Job I asked for any offcuts no matter how small that may be left over. Yesterday he gave me the left overs, well passed them over the fence actually. This after a litle bit of use already is what I got

Not sure that I can find a use for the Doggy Toy, however this is jumping forwards a bit as I have in the last year or three been using the Lidl Offering, I found this OK indoors but outside it appears to suffer big time from the Heat as the following picture shows, note the curley edges in spite of glued ballast to hide the joins.
So today I have been putting down the ew stuff in the hope that it fares better, lots more to do but the following pictures give you a feel of what has been achieved. Note that in one location I have cut the Grass in a Triangle to create a Cinder Path, in another cut in half for a Roadway that has been used for Lorry Loading to Hopper Wagons (still wet with glue)and in another used some very short Triangles to fit between some Fake Conccrete Troughing. Troughing added after pic was taken!

Finally note the closeness to the van which just pushes the long grass out of the way. I am quite pleased with the effec, though I think too much could look a little fake as indeed this stuff surely is.

 

[idlemarvel]

Thanks for posting. It shows the difference in quality between cheapo Lidl and the stuff your neighbour gave you. If you are going to use artificial turf it can look very realistic now with multiple colour strands like in your example and UV resistant. A thick base layer is important so it lies flat. As you say small areas of the longer strand stuff (your's looks like 35-40mm) looks good as trackside vegetation.

 

[dunnyrail]

Thanks for posting. It shows the difference in quality between cheapo Lidl and the stuff your neighbour gave you. If you are going to use artificial turf it can look very realistic now with multiple colour strands like in your example and UV resistant. A thick base layer is important so it lies flat. As you say small areas of the longer strand stuff (your's looks like 35-40mm) looks good as trackside vegetation.

Had not thought to measure the stuff, appears to be closer to 25-30mm which if I could get some of the 35-40 would make an interesting mix and match for a rough embankment. Also for got to mention that BnQ do small sample squares that I have looked at for small area's and was on the verge of getting one or two when the possible availability of some for Free came to my ear. May take the ruler to see if the BnQ samples may give me some longer stuff to experiment with.

 

[mike]

I love the stuff.. ideal for a raised line on wood ect ..

 

[JRinTawa]

I've used it in several locations around the railway, including lining around puddle pond.

 

[Paradise]

Gee dunnyrail, I think that new fake grass has grown some more as we read your post. That green looks jolly good adding a bit of colour to that grey industrial section.
Watch out for that brown dog. He will probably go pee on it after he's finished laying in the sun.

 

[dunnyrail]

Gee dunnyrail, I think that new fake grass has grown some more as we read your post. That green looks jolly good adding a bit of colour to that grey industrial section.
Watch out for that brown dog. He will probably go pee on it after he's finished laying in the sun.

There is a Whitish one and a BlacknWhite one that may certainly do that if I left it out. The BlacknWhite one (2 week guest) has alreaddy rolled on it as soon as I put it on the ground.

 

[Paul M]

I must say that fake grass has improved vastly over the years.

 

[dutchelm]

I bought a piece of posh Astroturf from the garden centre about 5 years ago. I have just replaced it as it was so clogged up with moss it no longer resembled grass. Replaced it with some stuff I bought on ebay. Not such good quality but better than Lidl's, it will do.

 

[chris m01]

I’ve had mine down for five years. I reckon it’s still ok. Mine rests on concrete so nothing grows through it. It sometimes gets blown away in high winds. I think I go at it from B&Q

 

[dunnyrail]

I’ve had mine down for five years. I reckon it’s still ok. Mine rests on concrete so nothing grows through it. It sometimes gets blown away in high winds. I think I go at it from B&Q
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BnQ still sell the stuff, not cheep but in the scheme if things we are probably not wanting a Lawns worth.

 

[PhilP]

BnQ still sell the stuff, not cheep but in the scheme if things we are probably not wanting a Lawns worth.

Unless you are wanting to replace a lawn?

 

[dunnyrail]

Unless you are wanting to replace a lawn?

Aha well spoted my vagueness, meant to mean a Lawns Worth for the Garden Railway!

 

[LGB-Sid]

I Got two sorts some stuff I got off the internet, it looked rubbish when laid and after about six weeks with the dogs jumping on it and rolling on it we decided to take it up as it looked utter rubbish. We then went to Wilson's carpets and bout some good stuff cost around three times as much the pile was at least 4 times thicker with multi strands to look like real grass, been down over a year now and looks just as good as the day it was laid , it was bought for the dogs to play on and they loved it from the from the day they got it I have just started to use one or two off cuts I have on my layout from the original cheap stuff and the better quality stuff.. Main grass areas we laid were laid on a bed of two inches of sharp sand, nothing has grown through the areas it's laid on.

 

[Capt. Jack]

Im trying some fake grass on my line . So far so good. I think it looks OK.

 

[Bill Barnwell]

I've used it in several locations around the railway, including lining around puddle pond.

good looking fake grass, Bill