Real grass costs less to put down but needs ongoing water, mowing and feeding to look good. Artificial grass costs more upfront and needs almost none of that upkeep, but it won't do anything for your soil and it can hold heat in full sun. Neither wins outright, it comes down to what you want to spend your time and money on. Here's the full comparison, and what Daisy's stocks of each.
Real Grass and Artificial Grass, in Brief
Real grass is a living, natural surface grown from seed or laid as turf. It needs sunlight, water and regular maintenance, but it feeds the soil, supports local wildlife, and gives you that genuine backyard feel.
Artificial grass (also called synthetic turf, or sometimes AstroTurf, though that's technically a specific brand name) is a manufactured surface designed to look like real grass without the upkeep. It's durable, consistent all year round, and needs no mowing or watering once it's down.
Artificial Grass vs Real Grass: Side-by-Side Comparison
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Real Grass |
Artificial Grass |
|
|
Upfront cost |
Lower |
Higher |
|
Ongoing cost |
Watering, mowing, fertilising |
Minimal - occasional cleaning |
|
Water use |
Regular watering needed |
None, once installed |
|
Drought tolerance |
Some hardy species available, but still needs water |
Stays green regardless of water restrictions |
|
Durability |
Vulnerable to heavy foot traffic, pests, weather |
Highly durable, resists foot traffic and pests |
|
Heat |
Stays cool underfoot |
Can retain heat in full summer sun |
|
Environmental impact |
Feeds soil, supports wildlife, produces oxygen |
No water/chemical use, but non-biodegradable |
|
Look and feel |
Natural look and feel, can patch or discolour without care |
Consistent all year, some prefer the natural look |
Where Real Grass Wins
● Feeds the soil and supports the local ecosystem - worms, insects, beneficial microbes
● Naturally cooler underfoot, even in peak summer
● Cheaper to install upfront
● That genuine, natural look and feel that some artificial products still can't quite match
Where Artificial Grass Wins
● Stays green through water restrictions and drought - no watering required
● No mowing, no fertilising, minimal ongoing cost
● Handles heavy foot traffic, pets and play without wearing out or going patchy
● Consistent, even surface all year round
So Which Should You Choose?
If you've got the time (or the sprinkler system) to keep a lawn looking good, and you want the environmental upside of a living surface, real grass is hard to beat. If you want a low-water, low-maintenance lawn that copes with kids, pets and Melbourne's dry summers without turning to dust, artificial grass is the more practical option.
Plenty of Daisy's customers do both: real lawn out the front for the street appeal, artificial turf in a high-traffic side yard, courtyard or pet area where upkeep is the real headache.
Daisy's Lawn Seed Range (Lawn Pro)
Daisy's stocks the full Lawn Pro seed range, blended and packaged in Melbourne for Australian conditions:
● Buffalo Blend - a deep green-blue, shade-tolerant lawn for cooler spots.
● Kikuyu Blend - hardy and fast-growing, suited to full-sun Australian yards.
● Kentucky Bluegrass - a fine-textured, cool-season option.
● Fine Couch Blend - a dense, drought-tolerant warm-season lawn.
● Ryegrass Blend and Premium T/T Rye - quick-establishing options, good for overseeding.
● Turf Type Tall Fescue - a hardy, wear-tolerant option for family lawns.
● Budget Lawn Seed - a general-purpose option if you're not fussed about a specific variety.
Browse the full Lawn Pro seed range online.
Daisy's also delivers instant turf, checkout our instant turf range
Daisy's Artificial Grass Range (Amazing Turf)
Daisy's artificial grass range is sold under our own Amazing Turf brand:
A soft grass with cooling technology that reduces surface temperature by up to 20%, plus anti-bacterial and mould-resistant treatment. Suited to balconies, courtyards and pet areas.
Premium plus comes in 35 and 40mm hights.
A more budget friendly option which is still easy to maintain and mimics natural thatch.
The summer range comes in a 30 and 35mm hights.
A dense 12mm putting-green surface, built for backyard or commercial putting greens.
We also stock the installation extras: kiln dried sand, pet-friendly infill, joining tape and fixing pins, so you've got everything in one trip.
Browse the Amazing Turf range online, and if you're installing it yourself, our step-by-step guide to laying artificial turf walks through the whole job.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions about our real and artifical grass.
Daisy's amazing turf is manufactured to last at least 15 years. With proper care and maintenance, artificial turf will last longer. Amazing turf is backed by a 15 year warranty against manufacturing defects, colour fade and UV degradation under normal residential and commercial use. Warranty terms are available in store or on request.
It can, in direct summer sun. Amazing Turf Premium Plus includes cooling technology designed to reduce surface temperature by up to 20% compared to standard synthetic turf, which helps, but any dark synthetic surface will still run warmer than real grass on a 40-degree day.
It depends what you're weighing up. Real grass supports soil health, local insects and produces oxygen, but uses water and sometimes fertiliser or chemicals. Artificial grass uses no water or chemicals once installed, but it's a synthetic, non-biodegradable product. There's a genuine trade-off either way, not a clear winner.
Yes, and it's a common approach. Many Daisy's customers keep real lawn where they want the natural look and don't mind the upkeep, and use artificial turf in high-traffic zones, courtyards or pet areas where low maintenance matters more.
Get Your Lawn Sorted
Whichever way you land, Daisy's stores across Melbourne and Geelong carry the full range. Shop our Lawn Pro seed range or our Amazing Turf range online, or drop into your nearest store and our team will help you weigh it up.