As an alternative…

A less permanent but cheaper solution for brown lawns is to spray-paint the grass. The paint is made from organic ground pigments and contains a UV protectant that helps guard against harsh sunlight. “It also contains a revolutionary breathable membrane which allows the grass to continue to photosynthesise,” explains Adele Kleinhans, co-founder of Lawncoat, a local lawn paint company. The paint is mixed with water according to the shade of green required. “It works out to just more than R3 per square metre. And it is 100% ecofriendly – dogs and bunnies can even eat it.”

Depending on temperature and sunlight, it can take up to three hours for the sprayed area to dry, after which the paint will not stain feet. “You can walk over it and water it, and it won’t wash off when it rains,” says landscaper JC Moolman.