Landscapers & Trade – The Fake Grass Man

Ai generated image of UK garden with more concrete than grass

Barking up the wrong tree? 40% of the UK’s Gardens are paved over.

Mark O Loughlin October 30, 2025 No Comments

A recently published Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) report has confirmed what I’ve long suspected and is plain to see. 55% of front gardens (car parking spaces I imagine) and 36%…

Swardfight

Mark O Loughlin October 8, 2018 No Comments

We’re using a lot more artificial grass than we used to. It’s on pitches, playgrounds, balconies, rooftops, gardens, road verges and everywhere in between. It’s a phenomenon and the jury…

The Sanctuary Upside Down Garden Bloom 18

The Hell Of Bloom!

Mark O Loughlin June 8, 2018 No Comments

As I write this my IPhone is on 1%- that’s kind of how I feel right now. Tired. Not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. It’s draining to stand…

The Sanctuary TRADE survey 2017

Mark O Loughlin March 24, 2017 No Comments

So, how are we doing? Let us know by taking this very quick survey (14 quick-fire questions) that should take no more than 2-3 minutes in total. All surveys are…

Be you ever so high the law is above you

Mark O Loughlin February 17, 2017 No Comments

One Secret of success that I always liked is do what others won’t do today so that tomorrow you get to do what others can’t do.

As mad as a bag of squirrels

Mark O Loughlin January 20, 2017 No Comments

Trump is a mad bastard. I’m not worried saying that in print as the secret service or CIA are more likely to bump him off than arranging a little accident…

The Grass is always greener over the hill

Mark O Loughlin January 13, 2017 No Comments

Instead of New Years resolution bullshit – no doubt disillusionment has already set in by now for those who’ve broken them already – I want to explore something pertinent to…

Networking can damage your marraige

Mark O Loughlin December 3, 2016 No Comments

Last Saturday, in between watching Naas beat ULBohemians in division 1b of the AIL and a guest appearance at Palmerstown golf club AGM (normally I'd prefer to poke sharp sticks…

A brief musing on Brexit and it’s implications

Mark O Loughlin June 24, 2016 No Comments

The Brits have made their bed. Their folly will cause us grief but, having survived the Great Recession, Irish people now have another challenge. Another choice; panic or have a cup of…

A brewing scandal

Mark O Loughlin March 4, 2016 No Comments

Today's blog is about a brewing scandal and what you should know about it. Following a recent Irish Times article/strong> on the potential carcinogenic effects of rubber infill in artificial…

It’s hard not to be a cynic

Mark O Loughlin October 24, 2015 No Comments

Yesterday I half listened to a smooth talking and, no doubt, generously remunerated HSE representative [yeah, thanks Mary Harney and B,B,Bertie for preserving the vast layers of middle management there]…

Bless me Father

Mark O Loughlin October 16, 2015 No Comments

For I have sinned.Its been several months since my last confession, er, I mean blog post/email to you. I don’t mean to be blasphemous, rather, you can take it as…

I am a very bad man

Mark O Loughlin July 20, 2015 No Comments

Yes. You are right. I am a very bad man. I admit it. I haven’t written, I haven’t called. Nada. For ages.

The new perennial movement: “Transient trend or adaptable style?”

Mark O Loughlin March 10, 2015 No Comments

Part 1 … The what Gay? This day last month the garden and and landscape designers association held their 19th International seminar sponsored by an Bord Bia, Bloom and, to…

Is It Better To Remain Silent?

Mark O Loughlin February 23, 2015 No Comments

And be thought a fool, Than to speak and remove all doubt? Here what I said to the 240 assembled GLDA seminar delegates the other day (The link to the…

Nobody wants our product …

Mark O Loughlin January 28, 2015 No Comments

Once upon a time one of the big advantages of being a self employed landscaper was the possibility of leaving a message on the mobile phone at this time of…

I’ll Tell You What Works For Me

Mark O Loughlin January 21, 2015 No Comments

I’m writing this in the lobby of the International hotel in Cork (by the airport, quite a snazzy place, would certainly recommend it) whilst what can only be described as…

Screw it, lets do it!

Mark O Loughlin January 9, 2015 No Comments

A belated happy new year to you. The reason you have not heard from me for a while, besides demonstrating my powers of procrastination, is that I was worried that…

None of us are getting out of this thing called life alive

Mark O Loughlin October 22, 2014 No Comments

My friend and former business partner Niall died so I’ve been quite sad these last few days. After a brave, decade long, battle with a brain tumour he passed away…

Wealth creators, not takers

Mark O Loughlin October 14, 2014 No Comments

Yer man, the ex-Fianna Fáil guy, now head of the charity Goal, said on RTE news that they had over 1,000 volunteers to go help fight the spread of Ebola…

Sick of having to re-invent yourself during the recession?

Mark O Loughlin October 10, 2014 No Comments

"Do you know what Mark?" asked P.M of XYZ Landscapes when he was in the yard a couple of years back. "I'm sick having to keep reinventing myself in this…

All a man needs is a library and a garden

Mark O Loughlin October 6, 2014 No Comments

“All a man needs is a library and a garden” Cicero, Roman Philosopher, senator and writer of fridge magnets, which is how I know this quote. Two things to note…

Henry Shefflin lifted his 2 children up

Mark O Loughlin September 28, 2014 No Comments

Henry Shefflin lifted his 2 children up along with his 10th Liam McCarthy cup this afternoon. What an achievement. Both teams are, to a man, incredibly dedicated and it makes…

Cowards!

Mark O Loughlin September 23, 2014 No Comments

So Scotland voted no. The cowards. As I said on Facebook I'm loath to comment on politics - I've enough opinions on other subjects with which to offend people -…

The Fake Grass Man

Category: Landscapers & Trade