Green grass makes for the ideal centerpiece in any backyard seating area, yet placing patio furniture directly on it compacts soil, obstructs sunlight, and concentrates foot traffic. Plus, grass moisture accelerates corrosion of metals such as wrought iron.
Moving patio furniture on a regular basis gives lawns the space to breath and absorb vital nutrients from their environment. A gravel garden or mulch bed are also effective solutions.
Moisture
Moisture in grass and soil increases the risk of damage to patio furniture, particularly chairs that sit directly on it. Moisture provides the perfect breeding ground for mildew and rot to form and reduce lifespan significantly; furthermore, direct contact between wood of rattan or other natural outdoor pieces and damp ground can quickly cause them to degrade quickly while increasing corrosion/rusting on metal frames, bases, and seats.
Dampness in grass and soil reduces the structural integrity of outdoor cushions, making them less comfortable to sit on. Furthermore, moisture hastens their deflation process, leaving flattened, deflated cushions unusable. Bringing them inside after rainstorms or periodically spraying them down with a hose helps prevent mold and mildew growth by draining off excess moisture.
Wood patio furniture left out on a lawn is susceptible to being attacked by pests and insects living beneath the grass, who will use its wood as shelter, which in turn may damage structures if left without proper preservative treatments.
If you own a wood patio set, treat the feet and legs of chairs and tables with preservatives to protect them from moisture damage and rot. Also consider placing pavers or flat stones underneath each furniture item’s feet to raise it off of the ground and reduce exposure to moisture.
Utilizing a patio rug pad, rubber mats or heavy tarp to cushion your table and chairs also helps distribute their weight more evenly across the ground, keeping the soil from long-term compression. Regular aeration, fertilizing, overseeding, watering and mowing relieve soil compaction while encouraging lush regrowth; while raking matted grass upright prevents excessive moisture ingress that could lead to mold or rot growth.
If your patio furniture must remain on the grass, choose durable materials that resist rot, mold, mildew and rust such as powder-coated metals, synthetic wicker or high-density plastics. Moving it regularly also helps reduce moisture that might harm the lawn underneath it.
Insects
Grass is its own ecosystem, home to numerous insects that find refuge in your patio furniture. Wood furniture in particular can become susceptible to being destroyed by bugs or animals that damage its structure, leading to rot and other problems in the process. Elevating it on concrete pavers or brick pavers – or even just grass itself – prevents these pests from infiltrating and ruining it for you and your yard.
Rattan furniture on your lawn can attract sod webworms, which are known to cause lasting damage to both grass and the soil beneath. These tan-colored moths flit around at night, depositing eggs that hatch within 10 days in your grass where larvae feed on its roots – including sod roots! They typically arrive between July and late summer but remain active through early August.
Metal and aluminum outdoor furniture tend to be less inviting to bugs than their wooden and wicker counterparts, making it less of an attractant to mosquitoes and other nuisance insects. A natural bug repellant spray will do just as well; lighting citronella candles or using tiki torches is another good way of deterring mosquitoes and other critters from entering your space. Bug zappers may be effective, though their devices may kill beneficial insects that actually help your garden and lawn!
Rather, use an outdoor rug or weather-resistant mat as an additional moisture absorbent layer beneath the furniture to minimize exposure and absorption of moisture. You could also lay down gravel, pea gravel or artificial grass to form an area for setting down garden furniture – simply be sure to rake the surface regularly, put down weed and gopher barriers where necessary and replace grass with low-water landscaping plants to make an alternative safe option that’s good for both the environment and seating areas! This method offers another viable solution when placing rattan garden furniture on grass surfaces – it keeps moisture absorption at bay!
Stains
Untreated wood absorbs moisture like an earth sponge, leading it to expand and lose structural integrity. Rattan furniture similarly soaks up moisture from direct contact with grass surfaces, quickly becoming damaged as a result. Over time this moisture absorption leads to mold growth, mildew growth and wood deterioration – rendering garden chairs unsafe to use and even useless!
Grass contains natural pigments, oils and reactants which can stain furniture finishes, leaving behind greenish hues, black spots and discoloration on your once beautiful backyard furniture. Wicker is especially susceptible to this problem but iron, steel and aluminum metal patio frames may also be affected.
Additionally, constant contact between outdoor furniture and damp grass can speed corrosion and rusting of metal frames and bases, damaging not only your back garden but also compromising its structural integrity and ruining its aesthetic value. This could ultimately compromise its integrity as outdoor rattan furniture becomes compromised over time.
To reduce the chances of stains on your rattan furniture, regular cleaning is key. Remove canvas covers from pillows and cushions (if possible) and wash in either cold or warm water; hang to dry in an airy spot so they dry fully afterward to reduce mildew risks. You can also create a paste from 1 tablespoon liquid laundry detergent plus 1/4 cup powdered oxygen bleach and apply this directly onto mildew spots on fabric upholstery; allow this paste to sit on it for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing off before repeating steps 2 through 3.
If your wooden patio set needs refinishing or staining, prepare its surface by spreading a plastic tarp on your yard or patio. The plastic tarp will protect it from dust created during sanding operations while creating a smoother finish when applying stain to its surface.
Before refinishing wooden furniture, first use a wood cleaner or degreaser to ensure it is as clean and dry as possible. Rinse with water from a garden hose afterwards to eliminate any remaining residue or debris. Once dry, you may refinish as per instructions on your chosen product for even stain coverage.
Tilting
Patio furniture can add the perfect finishing touches to a garden, making the outdoor area seem more like an extension of your living room or sitting area. Unfortunately, over time it may also damage grass; here’s how you can keep your lawn alive and flourishing.
Due to its soft surface, garden grass makes it difficult for furniture legs to anchor into it firmly enough. As such, chairs and tables often rock and shift when in use; although this might not seem like a major concern at first, over time such constant movement can damage grass leading to bald patches throughout your yard.
One issue caused by chairs and tables is their potential to trample grass, particularly if left stationary for extended periods. Over time, grass will die where your furniture sits reducing aesthetic value of your garden as well as providing habitats for beneficial insects like earthworms.
Moving patio furniture regularly and taking some simple precautions is one way to prevent long-term lawn damage. If you must leave rattan patio furniture in one spot for prolonged periods of time, rubber stops or plastic caps on their feet could provide added protection; these are easily available online and installation should take only minutes. Alternatively, skilled toolbox users could even paint protective coating on wooden furniture feet for an added layer of defense against any lasting lawn damage.
Before placing rattan garden furniture on grass, there are options for creating a protective barrier over it. Rug pads, tarps, and mats provide weight distribution while moisture barriers protect both lawn and furniture. Masonry platforms or wooden platforms may also help elevate furnishings above the grass; bricks, concrete pavers, patio stones and treated lumber all make suitable materials to elevate furnishings above it.
No matter whether you want a relaxing space to read in, or an energetic place for hosting parties and BBQs, having a well-maintained backyard is key to enjoying it all year. While grass can add beauty to any garden space, placing patio furniture directly on its surface could prove hazardous and ruin its surface quality over time.