How Can Artificial Grass Help With Hay Fever?

There are 12 million hay fever sufferers in U.S., all of whom will be keeping a keen eye on the weather forecasts and pollen counts as they brace themselves for an itchy, sniffly spring and summer. All winter long we have longed for milder weather and blossoming trees but now hay fever season is nearly upon us, we need to be practical and look at ways to prevent or cure its symptoms so our spring and summer isn't ruined. So if you or someone you know suffers from hay fever, this quick guide to hay fever is for you. Read on to find out what you are dealing with and how to combat it:

Hay Fever: The Basics

What Is Hay Fever?

Simply put, hay fever is an allergy to pollen. Pollen is the fine powder produced by flowers, plants and trees. It is carried from high pollen areas to the faces of hay fever sufferers by the wind, birds and bees. Grass and hay pollens are particularly aggravating to hay fever sufferers but grass pollen is the most common - and often the most severe - allergen. Spring and summer (May through July) are grass pollination season and incidentally, hay fever is at its worst during these seasons. Your immune system reacts to the pollen and causes several (in some cases debilitating) symptoms. Hay fever is the pollen affecting the cells in the lining of your nose and eyes, causing them to release chemicals that inflame the eyes and nose

What Are The Symptoms?

·         Common symptoms are:

·         A runny, itchy nose

·         A blocked nose

·         Sneezing

·         Itchy, watery and red eyes

·         An itchy throat

Less common symptoms are:

·        Loss of smell

·         Facial pain

·         Sweats

·         Headaches

How Do People Alleviate Hay Fever Symptoms?

Pollen is impossible to avoid completely but trying to limit your exposure can help. Here are some ways to go about limiting your exposure to pollen:

·         Check television, newspaper, radio and internet weather forecasts for the pollen count (the number of pollen grains per cubic metre of air) Note: a high count is 50 or more

·         Stay indoors as much as possible, keeping doors and windows closed

·         Avoid grassy places, camping and mowing/mowed lawns

·         After being outdoors (especially in the countryside) shower and wash your hair

·         Keep your car windows closed and think about investing in a pollen filter for your air vents

·         Use sprays, medication, drops and antihistamines; they can be over the counter or prescribed

Artificial Grass: The New Solution

Artificial grass is actually a great solution to hay fever because it does not contain the same irritant materials as natural grass does. Natural grass houses all sorts of irritant particles like pollen, dust and mold. When disturbed (by mowing etc.) these particles become airborne and affect hay fever sufferers, making your own back garden you worst enemy in summer months. Whilst synthetic grass won't cause your hay fever to disappear altogether, it will reduce the highly irritant grass pollen count in your immediate home vicinity so you can at least sit out and enjoy your own garden.

If you are interested in artificial grass as a way to combat hay fever then please contact RC Artificial Grass  today - we are happy to help!    

Forecast: Blue Skies and Green Grass, All Summer Long

Summer is here and that means there are a few unbearably hot days ahead for us. It also means that many of us will end up with a crispy brown topping on our beloved lawns. As much as we associate lush green lawns with lazy summer days, grass doesn't actually fare too well when we get into long periods of double figure temperatures. Summer is edging closer and days get hotter so water usage bans will no doubt come into effect soon, followed swiftly by sorry-looking brown lawns and dustbowl gardens. There is a way you and your garden can fend off the scars of summer though. If you want to keep your garden looking green and tidy, even in the height of the summer heat, then artificial grass can help. Here are a few of the ways an artificial lawn could help you out this summer:

Handle the Water Usage Ban Like a Pro

So, when they eventually impose a water usage ban how will you manage? Easily. Artificial grass is low maintenance and because it doesn't need to be watered, there is no need for constant watering which is great because you can't miss what you don't use. Not only do synthetic lawns eliminate the need to water, they don't turn drown and crispy when we have an extended dry spell which means even if there's a little bit of a drought, you can still enjoy a lush green lawn.

Sunny Days Are No Sweat

As nice as it is to find an excuse for spending hours on end in the sun, the novelty wears off when doing so means you have to slave away mowing the lawn. Luckily for you, artificial grass doesn't actually grow so it doesn't need mowing or trimming. That means you can save time and effort, spending you afternoons enjoying your sunny garden instead of sweating it out and getting it ready for everybody else to enjoy!

Bake Away

An artificial lawn's health and appearance isn't dependent on the weather as natural grass is. So even when the sun is baking and baring down on it all day long, you won't end up with sorry-looking yellow patches or a dried up dustbowl beneath the dead and damaged grass.

Perfect for Al Fresco Parties

One of the best things about summer is how social people can be; long days spent exploring the outdoors together or quiet evenings on the patio with ice cold drinks and fabulous company. Having lots of social gatherings on dry and brittle summer grass can leave you with a worn, patchy lawn if you have natural grass. However, with artificial grass you can have the kids playing in the garden all day, every day and adults partying in it all night long without any serious wear on the lawn itself.

Hassle-free Holidays

Going on holiday often requires some sort of prep to ensure the house is locked up tight, someone is picking up your mail and your pets are taken care of whilst you're away. On top of these preparations, many of you will have to arrange for someone to water and mow your lawn when you're away; this extra hassle isn't necessary though. With artificial grass you can jet off without worrying about the garden. Whether you're going on a last minute weekend break or a three week stint around Europe, you won't come home to a crispy brown lawn or an out of control jungle.

These are just a few of the ways in which artificial grass can help make your summer easier and keep your grass greener - whatever the weather. So if you want a lawn that can stand up to the pressures of showers and heat waves without so much as a flinch, call RC Artificial Grass today and we will be happy to help you find the ideal artificial lawn!     

The benefits of artificial grass for holiday parks

Summer is here which means you need to start preparing for life outdoors. That doesn't necessarily mean you have to pack up the camping gear and fend for yourself in the middle of a forest though. It might mean a day trip or two to the coast or a weekend in shorts at a festival but you can enjoy the sun even closer to home. Al fresco dining, barbecues with friends or the classic picnic in the park are all excellent options if you want to enjoy the sun without making a mission out of it. There are the old fail-safes like staying indoors and playing board games or watching a movie whilst consuming ridiculous amounts of ice cream, and braving some form of attraction or having a nice meal with friends and family. However, none of these options have the same summery feel as a day outside does. There is something hypnotizing about being surrounded by green grass, blue skies and the freedom of whiling away a lazy afternoon in the sun. So is there a way to keep hold of this outdoor freedom, whatever the weather?

Well, one way is to invest in artificial grass for a designated indoor space. You see, fake lawns aren't the itchy menace they once were and when fitted in a conservatory or summerhouse they are a great way to bring the outdoors in and beat the weather. Conservatories, sunrooms and summerhouses are great options for your designated outdoors-in space because they afford lots of natural light, even when it's a little bit wet and grey outside. Installing artificial grass as you would ordinary carpet gives you a natural-looking and comfortable surface you can utilize all year round, perfect for when you need somewhere to enjoy a rainy day picnic.

A rainy day picnic is much the same as a traditional picnic, requiring a trust picnic blanket, all sorts of good food and some good company (unless you prefer a little "me time"). Rainy day picnics come with the added bonuses of shelter from the rain, wind and chilly temperatures, a convenient indoor bathroom to use throughout the day and the option of a (free!) hot drink if you need one - courtesy of your handy kitchen kettle in the next room. So let's take a quick look at what basics you will need for your perfect rainy day picnic:

The Rainy Day Picnic Checklist

A designated outdoors-in space (conservatory, sunroom, summerhouse)

Artificial grass (good quality and professionally installed)

A picnic blanket

A picnic basket

Cushions

Plastic cutlery and tableware (bright colors and patterns will help lift spirits)

Tasty food like sandwiches, salads and southern fried chicken (take advantage of your picnic spot's proximity to the kitchen and enjoy some hot picnic food - it won't get cold on the journey!)

Entertainment (musicians keep your guitar on you, artists have a sketchpad and pens to hand and parents be prepared with a bag of toys, games and coloring books)

Fairy lights (Christmas lights) strung up for when it starts getting dark - your own starry sky!

A camera (just because you're not going somewhere doesn't mean you won't make memories you'll want mementos of).