How to cultivate and maintain a perfect lawn in Dubai

• Types of Grass
• Natural Grass Lawns
• Cost and Maintenance of Natural Grass Lawn
• Artificial Grass Lawns
• FAQs

Walking on lush green grass right outside your home is one of life’s simple pleasures. A well-maintained lawn is a great way to make an excellent first impression when someone pulls up to your house. Given the geography and the climatic conditions, lawns in Dubai used to be a luxury. However, thanks to modern technology, having lush, green oasis-like lawns in Dubai is no longer a dream and it adds to your home’s curb appeal. Here’s all you need to know about designing and maintaining lawns in Dubai. 

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR DESIGNING LAWNS IN DUBAI

The secret to having verdant lawns in Dubai is all about selecting the right type of grass and, of course, implementing the proper care and maintenance techniques.

Given that the temperatures for most of the year aren’t conducive for plantation, maintaining a lawn is a big challenge. The land is covered mainly with shifting sand, which means the soil isn’t suitable for growing natural grass. Hence, one has to make dedicated efforts to maintain a lawn in Dubai.

Here is what you can do to maintain a lush lawn in your Dubai villa.

PICK THE RIGHT TYPE OF GRASS  

The first step when deciding on a lawn in Dubai is to select the right type of grass. And you can easily buy natural grass or artificial grass, depending on your exact requirements.

If you like to have natural grass in Dubai, you can choose from the following types:

BERMUDA GRASS 

Bermuda grass is commonly used for lawns in Dubai. It’s pretty soft and gives a dense green appearance to your lawn or garden. You need to maintain a partial shade and use water with a low salinity level for it to grow well.

Remember, Bermuda grass doesn’t grow well in full shade. You will also have to take good care for it to remain healthy during the peak summer months.

PASPALUM GRASS 

If you’re on the lookout for best lawn types in Dubai, consider using Paspalum grass for it. Paspalum grass has also gained popularity in recent times. Since it is a warm-weather variety, its maintenance is relatively easy in summer.

Its tolerance to salinity levels is high, which increases its longevity. If you prefer natural grass in Dubai for your lawn or garden, Paspalum can be a wise choice.

DURBAN GRASS

Durban grass takes a reasonably long time to grow. But it can easily survive under the harsh sun and tolerate high levels of salinity. If you like to have this variety on your lawn, remember that its colour is a lighter shade of green, unlike Bermuda grass.  

SEA ISLE 

Sea Isle is a combination of Bermuda and Durban grass. It looks vibrant, grows faster than Durban grass, develops deep roots and can cope well with droughts or low water supply. 

If you’re thinking about having a lawn in your home, the dark green and glistening Sea Isle leaves would be an excellent addition to your purchase list.

NATURAL GRASS PLANTATION METHODS

Before you start planting grass in your garden, you need to prepare the ground. Clear all debris, waste and sand and add fertile soil, fertilisers and other nutrients. You can then plant grass using any of the following three methods.

GRASS CARPET 

Plant large rolls of carpet over a mixture of soil and compost. This is the quickest method but is also the most expensive.

PLUG-IN

Plant small patches of grass in large, thick layers of compost. Over the next couple of months, the grass will grow and cover the space entirely. 

SEEDS

Planting seeds is the most pocket-friendly option. However, it requires hard work and patience. 

WATERING REQUIREMENTS

During the hotter summer months, lawns in Dubai have to be watered twice daily for about 5 to 7 minutes each time, to ensure a lush garden.

So, before you decide to have a lawn in your home, it is vital to consider your DEWA bill. Depending on the size of your lawn, you might also have to hire a gardener to keep it looking beautiful.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE NATURAL GRASS IN DUBAI?

On average, you can expect to pay around AED 10 to AED 15 per sq. m. for natural grass lawns. This cost, however, does not include labour charges of laying down the grass, which is usually around AED 1,500. 

ARTIFICIAL GRASS LAWNS IN DUBAI

A somewhat simpler alternative to growing grass is to get an artificial grass lawn in Dubai. This way, you can get the same look without having to put in the hard work.

Also, artificial lawns grass is much more sustainable. The price per sq. m. is AED 70 or more, which is higher than natural grass. However, there is no cost related to grass lawn maintenance in Dubai and it’s easy to move if you change houses. 

While this seems like a good solution, there are some things you might have to consider. At times due to the increased temperatures, artificial grass can become toxic. Similarly, grass made of nylon-polyethene could contain lead, which can cause potential health issues.

More importantly, artificial grass can collect pet hair, dust and dirt. So, you might have to get it cleaned regularly and eventually get it replaced. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW TO MAINTAIN NATURAL GRASS LAWNS IN DUBAI?

To ensure that your lawn remains beautiful with seamless stretches of rich green grass, you must:

• Maintain adequate water supply. As mentioned earlier, you have to water the grass twice a day, especially in summer.
• Have a shade for the grass to grow well. If you have a tree in your garden area, it will help deal with the heat and build an even grass cover. 
• Get an irrigation system installed to reduce water usage without reducing supply to the plant. 
• Pay attention to thatch removal.
• Regularly mow the garden to achieve healthy roots. 

CAN I HIRE LAWN MAINTENANCE COMPANIES IN DUBAI?

Some top companies sell natural and artificial grass in Dubai, along with other lawn products. Customers can also hire their services to maintain lawns and gardens.

• Maze Grass | +971-4-288-8651
• Afnan Garden | +971-55-342-4726
• Shades and Surfaces | +971-50-253-2542

Many people have successfully maintained beautiful lawns in Dubai. And it all depends on how much effort you are willing to put in during the initial stages.

CAN I USE ARTIFICIAL GRASS ON MY LAWN?

If growing natural grass sounds like too much work, the alternative is to place artificial grass in Dubai. There are different ways to maintain artificial grass in Dubai so it lasts longer. But like any other renovation decision, it is wise to check with your landlord and developer before making any drastic changes.

HOW CAN I DECORATE MY GARDEN?

There are some top landscaping companies in Dubai that you can hire to take care of this task. Here is an estimate as to how much will garden landscaping in Dubai cost you. But if you prefer to do things yourself, there are plenty of backyard garden ideas you can quickly execute yourself.