We have just replaced a garden full of hedges with artificial turf. My husband and I installed in ourselves , the grass is easy it's getting it level and putting the right amount of 2mm cracker dust underneath. We have two dogs and three kids and we love it. It depends on the area and how much time you have to look after it. We have installed our own beautiful Sir Walter lawn as well so we are a bit experienced. I put a sprinkler on for a few minutes twice a week for a wash and it also drains fine in bad weather. Look for something mid range you don't need the most expensive ! Look for something with a nice pile height say 30- 35 mm. Ask for some off cuts leave them in the sun and also walk on them see what you like. Here is a pic of what we have done so far. We are having a black spa put in the limestone paving which I sealed and a waterfall down the end on the stone wall. Make sure you check out the smaller companies , as long as it has no lead in it it's worth a go. Wendy from Perth These photos were when we just finished so lawn looks a bit stripey till it settles. We all love it

Who on earth suggested artificial grass mounds? There are so many wonderful ways to inject tasteful design solutions into a garden. This one sounds at odds with that concept. But then I haven't seen the overall design project. It sounds like an overzealous landscape architect who is hell-bent on changing the site for the sake of construction. I would advise against them as they won't last - whatever you do will eventually break down!

As a parent, this story touched my heart. What a beautiful way to remember his soul and to start healing. Gardens breathe life into the home. I wish that the family finds their peace.

Bear in mind that lawn needs to be mowed. How practical will that be in that tiny courtyard? If you want to remove the tiles I would be inclined to put gravel and stepping stones down with a walkable creeper in patches. There's a good amount of sun there so you should be okay with many choices. Choose a variety that works well in part-sun with a nice fine leaf. Thyme is actually a fantastic ground cover that smells great when you walk on it, tiny leaved, loves to be in dry places and is covered in masses of either white or purple flowers at the end of summer. At the moment your plantings are a bit more spanish than french, which is fine you could take inspiration from Riveria places like Nice. To go a bit more french I would swap out the succulents for either lavenders or roses or both! Both will work beautifully with the geraniums and olive tree. I purchased a beautiful lavender this year called Forte from Bunnings. It's a spanish styled lavender with the big petals on the flower head and is the most vivid shade of violet imaginable. Very fast growing in 6 weeks mine have doubled in size. Nice low mounding variety that will look good in pots. Floribunda roses are ideal for courtyards and small spaces as the bush only reaches around 80cm high and sends our bunches of roses on the bush. Floribunda means abundant flowers. I would avoid hybrid tea's as they are a large bush with loads of thorns. Or a climber would be good there too. My personal favourite is Lady of Shallot. But I also have one called Hot Cocoa which is very special and a floribunda. Roses love courtyards especially near a brick wall that radiates heat onto the bush. It keeps blackspot away because water never accumulates on the actual bush due to the heat. We associate roses with England but actually they come from the middle east and are a hot and dry country plant.