I remember the first time I moved into my little rental in Auckland—a cute place with a tiny backyard, full of patchy grass that turned into a swamp after every bit of rain. Coming from a city apartment where my only plant had been a dying cactus, I had no idea how to deal with it. Do I mow? Do I weed? Do I just leave it to become a wild jungle? It wasn’t long before I started looking into artificial turf, and let me tell you—it was a game-changer.
If you’re in the same boat, wondering whether artificial turf in nz is worth the investment, let me break it down for you.
Why I Switched to Artificial Turf
NZ weather can be unpredictable. One minute it’s sunshine, the next it’s raining sideways. My natural grass never stood a chance, and honestly, I had neither the time nor the energy to keep up with maintaining it. Artificial turf seemed like the perfect solution, and after doing a lot of research, I went for it.
Here’s why I’ve never looked back:
✔ Low maintenance – No more mowing, weeding, or worrying about watering bans in summer.
✔ No mud or puddles – Even after heavy rain, my backyard stays usable.
✔ Pet and kid-friendly – Not that I have either, but my neighbour's dog loves it, and their kids are always running around without coming back covered in mud.
✔ Looks amazing year-round – No more brown patches or uneven growth.
Things to Consider Before Getting Artificial Turf
Of course, it’s not as simple as rolling out a carpet of fake grass and calling it a day. There are a few things I learned the hard way:
1. Drainage is Key
One of my biggest worries was whether the turf would turn into a flooded mess when it rained. Luckily, if it’s installed properly with good drainage, it works brilliantly. I made sure there was a solid base underneath that allowed water to filter through, and I haven’t had a single issue.
2. Choosing the Right Pile Height
I initially thought, “The longer, the better,” but turns out, that’s not always true. Longer blades look lush but can flatten quickly, especially in high-foot-traffic areas. I ended up going for a medium height, which looks natural but stays bouncy.
3. Heat Factor
On a really hot day, artificial grass can get warmer than natural grass. It’s never been unbearable for me, but if you’ve got pets or small kids running around, you might want to keep a shady spot available.
Investing in artificial turf has honestly made my life easier. My backyard always looks neat, I don’t have to spend my weekends wrestling with a lawnmower, and I never have to worry about waking up to an overgrown jungle. If you’re on the fence about it, I’d say go for it—you won’t regret it.