Moving into my first rental in Hamilton, I was so excited to finally have a backyard. I had this vision of sitting outside with a book, sipping coffee on the grass, and enjoying the fresh air. But within a few months, reality hit me—natural grass is a nightmare to maintain. It grew unevenly, turned to mud every time it rained, and despite my best efforts, I could never get it to look the way I wanted. The final straw was when I came home after a week away, and my so-called lawn was overrun with weeds. That’s when I started researching synthetic turf.

Switching to synthetic turf felt like a massive decision at the time, but looking back, it was the best thing I ever did for my outdoor space. No more mowing, no more muddy footprints in the house, and no more frustration every time the weather decided to change. It always looks tidy, stays dry even after heavy rain, and makes my little backyard feel polished and put together. I remember the first time my friends came over after I had it installed—everyone kept asking "Is this real?" because it looked so much like natural grass.

There are a few things I wish I knew before switching, though. First, not all synthetic turf is created equal. I spent way too long comparing different types before realising that quality makes a massive difference. Some cheap options feel like plastic and don’t drain properly, so if you’re thinking of getting synthetic turf, definitely go for something designed to handle NZ weather. Second, it needs proper installation. I made the mistake of thinking I could lay it myself, but getting the ground level and adding the right base is crucial for making it last. The upfront effort pays off in the long run.

If you’re tired of dealing with natural grass and just want something that looks good without the effort, synthetic turf is worth considering. It’s one of those things you don’t realise how much you need until you have it, and now I can’t imagine my backyard without it.