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).

Artificial Grass To The Rescue

If you’re a gardening or fake lawn fan then you will like hearing when artificial grass makes its mark on the world, especially when that mark makes a real difference. You probably already know that fake lawns look great and make life easy but when they are used as tools for helping people and solving problems they are something to be proud of. Read on to see what we mean.

California is in the midst of its worst drought on record. California’s desperately dry period comes at the same time as much of America is suffering from a Polar Vortex. Despite the arctic conditions in America’s East Coast and Mid-West, California’s temperatures are uncomfortably high and the forecast seems to be permanently set to sunny.

California’s current drought is being labeled as the region’s driest period since rainfall records began which is making life increasingly difficult for the state’s 38 million residents as well as its giant economy driven by primarily by agriculture. Homes, businesses, nature reserves and farmland are all suffering from the dry drought conditions and the restrictions imposed in the wake of them. In January 2014 California’s Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of drought emergency following 2013’s record low rainfall recorded in San Francisco (5.59 inches) and Los Angeles (3.6 inches). On top of this low rainfall, the snow water from snow packs like those in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is just 12 per cent of what it normally is in winter – a significant concern considering the snowpack provides a third of the state’s water supply. The snowpack is not the only tell-tale sign of how serious California’s current drought is though.

The San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest has a “bath tub ring” around its basin which shows how dramatically its water levels have dropped whilst the great Folsom Lake is so dried up that it looks more like a puddle surrounded by a sandy beach. The lake’s waters have receded so drastically that dried up fish scatter the lake bed which is becoming a visitor attraction itself, the submerged towns that once stood where the lake now resides being visible and accessible (pictures here). Meadows normally covered in snow are bone dry and appear to be in the midst of summer whilst the Sierra Nevada range has faced more challenges than a disappearing snowpack. The range’s forests are dried and primed for major forest fires like the devastating rim fire that destroyed hundreds of acres in Yosemite National Park in 2013 along with the Colby fire which ripped through homes in Southern California.

These conditions and the drought that caused them are nothing new according to scientists who have been studying the region and its long-term climate. California has suffered from such patterns before and megadroughts are considered part and parcel of the state’s semi-arid climate. Some of the droughts evidenced by geological markers occurred long before records began, the most severe of them lasting for 180-240 years. Scientists like Scott Stine (professor of geography and environmental studies at California State University) are concerned that California reacts to droughts as a short term (5-7 year) issue but the emergencies are historically more frequent and much longer lasting.

In the wake of these scientific revelation and all of the current drought-related problems, restrictions have been put in place with some counties in the state having been banned from watering their lawns and all Californians being asked to reduce water consumption by 20 per cent.

It is here that artificial lawns come in. With so many uses for water and not enough water to go around, the people of California need to find alternatives for everyday things. Long, leisurely showers are a thing of the past, swimming pools are not the home essential they once were so it makes sense that where possible, installing, and using alternatives that don’t require water at all is the best way to help California in the drought crisis. Artificial grass is one such alternative. It allows people to stay proud of their homes without wasting water which can keep spirits high in trialing times. At the moment there is a boost in sales of fake lawns in California, following the driest year in state history (2013) and The Daily Mail explained that this is because “fake grass has emerged as a way of achieving a constantly green front yard while saving water”. So, as people are being asked to adjust their entire lifestyles, stopping “long solo showers” and following requests not to flush the toilet more than needed, it is nice to know that problems which normally waste water (like lush green lawns) have practical and sustainable solutions. Whilst there may be a million ways to help the Californians in their difficult drought, artificial grass can do its bit by giving people the freedom to focus on the bigger issues at hand and take other measures that could make a real difference.

3 Common Synthetic Grass Myths Debunked

Like anything, there are bound to be those select few who pick and try to find faults with a product however, it is important to remember that as a current or potential owner of a synthetic grass lawn that you are in the hands of the experts. In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the most common myths surrounding the synthetic turf industry and how they can be debunked.

‘It's unsafe for my children and pets'

This is simply untrue due to the fact that many artificial lawns nowadays are made from near enough the same materials as a modern day carpet. Many manufacturers make the decision between poly or nylon yarn fibers which are then tufted into a primary backing system. This backing system is often made of polyethylene and is then secured using a secondary backing system, usually made from an alternate poly such as olefin or urethane.

The truth of the matter is that the industry has become very sophisticated since the release of the first artificial turf and abides by strict requirements in order to provide homeowners and businesses alike with an adequate amount of safety and comfort.

‘Synthetic Turf Gets Extremely Hot'

While fake lawns can grow a little warmer than the average grass due to a lack of moisture, it never becomes unbearably hot. In fact, some fibers are even designed to reflect sunlight in order to keep the blades cooler while others will remain at an ambient temperature due to the fact that the blades do not retain heat.

In addition, athletic fields that are exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time might even reach a higher temperature than artificial turf that has been installed in a natural environment. Finally, there are currently no known cases of people who have experienced minor or first, second or third degree burns from coming into contact with synthetic turf.

‘Synthetic turf is killing the environment'

Actually, in terms of how eco-friendly natural grass is, artificial turf is better and safer for the environment. As some turfs are made from recycled materials, artificial grass helps the environment by eliminating the need to throw these resources onto the landfill. Furthermore, it also eradicates the need for any pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides.

Since artificial grass does not need to be watered or mowed, it eliminates the need for fuel emissions from mowers or excess use of water. Overall, synthetic turf proves to be an incredibly eco-friendly alternative to natural grass.

If you'd like to enquire about artificial turf installation or if you have any questions regarding the topics mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to get in touch with RC Artificial Grass today. 

Artificial Grass Purchasing Checklist

Artificial grass has countless advantages as compared to real grass which seems like a bad deal when compared with artificial grass. It stays green throughout the year, requires little to no maintenance, no mowing and doesn't need any kind of fertilization either. These are just some of the many reasons why artificial grass has gained such so much popularity in such a short amount of time.

When purchasing artificial grass, you need to know exactly what you are looking for in order to refine your search and get the right kind of grass. We have created a checklist of some of the things that you should look for when purchasing artificial grass.

Know What Type of Grass You Want  

There are some types of artificial grass that are completely made from recycled materials such as tires and rubber soles of shoes. If you are an environmental activist and are worried about your carbon foot print then this piece of information would be important for you. Again, it's important to know the different between natural and artificial. The only reason people opt for artificial grass is because they want to avoid natural grass altogether.

Check the Stitching

This is very important because if you get it wrong you could end up with a lawn that would be more of a nuisance than a scenic view. . Fake grass is actually sewn into a mat like surface that is usually made of rubber or latex. Make sure that you check how many stitches the manufacturer has placed in a ten centimeter area to hold the grass firmly to the padding. The more the stitches are, the better the quality and the stronger the artificial grass will be.

The Question Of Long or Short Blades

Blades are another important factor and which ones you get depends entirely on your usage. If you are simply purchasing the artificial grass for your lawn or backyard then the length of the grass blade does not really matter as you know that you have to get the one that has short blades. If you will be using it for sports purposes, then you need to know the precise length required of the artificial grass.

Factor in Maintenance

One of the primary benefits of artificial grass is low maintenance. However, there are further level of low maintenance when it comes to fake grass. There are some kinds that require a special kind of cleaning on an annual or half yearly basis, ideal for those who are really limited on time. However before you make the purchase do inquire about the cost of this cleaning and whether it is feasible for you or not. Low maintenance may not always mean low cost. Find that out beforehand.

Always opt for high quality brands as they are likely to provide you with the best products at the best prices possible. Take your due time in inspecting the grass before making a final decision so that you do not regret it later on. 

Artificial Grass Purchase List

Artificial grass has countless advantages as compared to real grass which seems like a bad deal when compared with artificial grass. It stays green throughout the year, requires little to no maintenance, no mowing and doesn't need any kind of fertilization either. These are just some of the many reasons why artificial grass has gained such so much popularity in such a short amount of time.

When purchasing artificial grass, you need to know exactly what you are looking for in order to refine your search and get the right kind of grass. We have created a checklist of some of the things that you should look for when purchasing artificial grass.

Know What Type of Grass You Want  

There are some types of artificial grass that are completely made from recycled materials such as tires and rubber soles of shoes. If you are an environmental activist and are worried about your carbon foot print then this piece of information would be important for you. Again, it's important to know the different between natural and artificial. The only reason people opt for artificial grass is because they want to avoid natural grass altogether.

Check the Stitching

This is very important because if you get it wrong you could end up with a lawn that would be more of a nuisance than a scenic view. Fake grass is actually sewn into a mat like surface that is usually made of rubber or latex. Make sure that you check how many stitches the manufacturer has placed in a ten centimeter area to hold the grass firmly to the padding. The more the stitches are, the better the quality and the stronger the artificial grass will be.

The Question Of Long or Short Blades

Blades are another important factor and which ones you get depends entirely on your usage. If you are simply purchasing the artificial grass for your lawn or backyard then the length of the grass blade does not really matter as you know that you have to get the one that has short blades. If you will be using it for sports purposes, then you need to know the precise length required of the artificial grass.

Factor in Maintenance

One of the primary benefits of artificial grass is low maintenance. However, there are further level of low maintenance when it comes to fake grass. There are some kinds that require a special kind of cleaning on an annual or half yearly basis, ideal for those who are really limited on time. However before you make the purchase do inquire about the cost of this cleaning and whether it is feasible for you or not. Low maintenance may not always mean low cost. Find that out beforehand.

Always opt for high quality brands as they are likely to provide you with the best products at the best prices possible. Take your due time in inspecting the grass before making a final decision so that you do not regret it later on.