The 'Green' Green Grass Of Home - For Chickens

Two of the benefits of artificial grass that we have talked about before are how it can help us care for the environment (saving on water and pesticides) and how it can be good for animals (dog runs and kennels).

Well it seems that one large scale industry will soon be adopting new production methods that include artificial grass when it has to meet new EU regulations aimed at protecting the environment and improving animal welfare. The industry .... chicken farming!

In 2012 the EU will require that industrial chicken farms provide enough space for the chickens to move around freely with access to natural light and fresh air and also that their cages are better equipped with a type of bed for each bird to rest on and with sand, grass or artificial grass in their base. Interesting to note that the worth of artificial grass has been recognised by the EU within these new requirements. Some might think this all sounds a little unrealistic but that’s not the case.

One company has already designed a new henhouse that will not only meet the new EU requirements but possibly surpass them. Agrotop’s new industrial henhouse is, they claim, completely 'green'. The coop is designed to blend in with its surroundings so as not to compromise the natural landscape and its roof houses wind turbines and photovoltaic cells so that it can produce its own wind and solar power for electricity generation. Not only that but there is recycling of wastewater and the chicken waste can be processed to produce biofuels, thus offering the chicken farmer a possible additional source of revenue. Read more about this henhouse of the future.

You can find more information about the environmental benefits of artificial grass on our website.

Summer Sneezing? Your Ally - Artificial Grass

The sunshine of summer is here again and whilst it's a time most people look forward to, it isn't the case for everyone, especially 'Hay Fever' sufferers.

Last summer we wrote about grass allergies which can cause sore eyes, a running nose, headaches and a poor quality of sleep for many people. The 4 months of May, June, July and August tend to see an abundance of grass pollens such as meadow grass and rye and right now we are in the middle of that key period. On top of that the Met Office has predicted warm and sunny weather for the end of June, possibly into July, so if you are a grass allergy sufferer, you might just end up with tears in your eyes if you go anywhere near grassed areas, whether newly mown or not!

According to statistics from the BBC, there are about 9 million people in Britain who currently struggle to cope with the effects of 'Hay Fever'. There is some excellent advice on the BBC's current Hay Fever page for anyone interested in ways to alleviate their suffering.

Interestingly from our point of view as artificial grass manufacturers, they suggest that you plan your garden carefully. They also suggest asking someone else to cut your garden grass for you and that you should consider using the water sprinkler to dampen down the pollen before you sit in the garden. Another interesting tip is to dampen down the fur of any pets who have been playing on the grass by using a damp towel as they may well have picked up pollen in their coats.

Sound advice and most welcome BUT if you had an artificial lawn in your garden you would not have to worry about any of these actions. What's more, your pets could benefit as well because:

a) they would not run the risk of a pollen allergy - apparently animals can experience grass allergies just as humans do, though they tend to get itchy ears rather than suffer respiratory problems. Read more about hay fever in animals.

b) they would be able to enjoy much more time in the garden - after heavy rain they wouldn't be at risk of getting all muddy and dirty;

c) pet dogs who love to dig (and there are plenty of them around!) would no longer be able to ruin your lawn so they too might enjoy much more freedom.

You can read more about artificial grass and pets on our website.

Artificial grass has the kind of benefits that go beyond most people's thinking and we hope that by sharing this kind of information with the general public it will help engender greater confidence and trust in what is an incredibly versatile product, ideal for today's lifestyle.

May Day Discount Celebrations With Artificial Grass

Being the leading UK artificial grass manufacturer selling direct to the public, we know from customer feedback that our grass products meet the highest standards. Our 1 to 1 direct relationship, however, holds other benefits - particularly for our customers, because we are able to occasionally offer some fantastic discounts.

The month of May sees us continuing to offer a VERY special deal of 35% discount across the whole of our artificial grass range.

Why would we do that? Because being a British manufacturer with a British workforce, we are keenly aware that many families are finding the economics of running a home very difficult to manage at this time. Moreover, a home is not a home if you have a garden and cannot enjoy it.

May heralds the definitive arrival of Spring, a time when you need to get out and start to make something of your garden so that your family and your pets can enjoy this special time of year, hopefully looking ahead to warm, sunny days and bbqs!

So if you haven't yet thought of using artificial grass in your garden, now's the time to consider it. Get out this May Day Bank Holiday weekend and measure it all up, then check out our artificial grass online store for a free, no-obligation quotation.

Just think of it …

• no more mowing
• no more watering (helping you save on those hefty water bills)
• no more muddy feet and paws being dragged indoors on a wet day
• no more yellowing, discoloured patches when the weather is inconsistent.

All of that along with a 35% discount - it's got to be tempting!

Any questions please don't hesitate to call our Customer Service on 0800 6521281.

Throw Out The Grass Mower - Go Racing Instead!

This is the time of year many people start thinking about what lies ahead to do in the garden ahead of Spring. For anyone with a garden, the upkeep and maintenance can be demanding. So if last year, you got tired of mowing the lawn, then why not give it up and install artificial grass!

That's not all though because apart from reaping the benefits of artificial grass such as more time for leisure, helping to improve the environment, not having to pay for or use pesticides etc, you don't actually have to throw away the mower. You could go lawn mower racing instead! Sounds crazy? Not a bit - there are lots of people getting into this fast growing sport.

For example, in our area of Cumbria there is the North West Lawn Mower Racing Association which races all over the North of England and Midlands. Races are held for a variety of levels - from Group 1 (the smaller run-behind mowers) up to Group 4 (small bonneted tractor). There are of course very important safety issues to consider before you can actually go mower racing. They vary with each Group level of machine and these are spelled out in their Lawn Mower Racing FAQ page.

Even if you decide against going racing with your old lawn mower, you might still want to go and watch others taking part in what sounds like a fun day out.

The British Lawn Mower Racing Association carries lots of information for spectators of the sport including forthcoming events and lawn mower race meetings