Large lush lawns are beautiful, but the cost can be very high. Fertilizers, and pesticides, power mower emissions, noise pollution, water consumption, your time and energy. These are contribute to the cost of maintaining a turf grass lawn. By reducing the size of your lawn, you can benefit the environment while saving you time, energy and money.
You don’t have to sacrifice the beauty of your yard either. There are many options and different materials which you can use to reduce, or even eliminate your lawn.
Here are some ideas for alternatives to a lawn:
Ground Covers
Ground covers are a beautiful planting option that require little to no maintenance. They spread across the ground, keeping low to the ground, choking out weeds while at the same time enriching the soil. They can be used as an as mulch in your garden, instead of wood chips or pine straw.
Ground covers come in a wide variety of types: different textures, different foliage, some are flowering and some are even edible! Stick with perennial and evergreen ground covers so that once you plant them, you are done. You can use annuals, but they will require more work (and money) each spring.
Ground covers to try:
- Cotoneaster: low growing, attractive floral display, great fall color, showy fruit production and is attractive to wildlife
- Alyssum: fragrant flowers, attractive to wildlife, drought tolerant, deer resistant
- Verbena: blooms repeatedly, attractive to wildlife, average water needs
- Juniper:evergreen, grown for foliage, provides winter interest in the garden
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are my go-to plant for so many reasons. They are very versatile, drought-resistant and work well as a focal point in your garden. As an turf grass alternative, you can convert part of your lawn to a display of ornamental grasses.
These grasses are low maintenance and grow well in most soils. They seldom require fertilizer, and have few pest and disease problems.
When choosing ornamental grasses for your yard, consider the characteristics of each variety.
Tips for Growing Ornamental Grasses:
- Choose a sunny location.
- Water new plantings until established.
- Trim your grasses each spring, allowing for fresh new growth.
- Divide the plants when they get too big.
Xeriscaping
The use of ”xeriscaping” originated with the Denver Colorado Water Department in 1981. A compound of the Greek xeros, dry, and “-scape,” as in landscape, “xeriscape” landscaping essentially refers to a creating a landscape design that has been carefully tailored to withstand drought conditions.
Xeriscape landscaping,in it’s simplest form, means grouping plants with similar watering requirements together. This makes for more efficient watering. Most xeriscaped landscapes do not have any lawn at all. In drought prone areas of the country, a xeriscaped yard just makes sense. Even if you aren’t in a drought zone, this type of yard is still a smart way to go. Its not only a beautiful way to showcase a your ornamental plants, it’s also a very low maintenance yard (no mowing or edging) and very economic (no turf applications, mower repairs, etc.).
Lawn or no lawn… it’s a choice.
With all of the different options available, get creative and utilize some of these alternatives to turf grass. I personally think our neighborhoods and yards would be much more interesting and beautiful. Check around and you find examples and design ideas that will help you reduce or replace your lawn. You may not become a card-carrying member of the Lawn Reform Organization, but you can still make a difference by adding some of these elements to your yard.
The use of ”xeriscaping” originated with the Denver Colorado Water Department in 1981. A compound of the Greek xeros, dry, and “-scape,” as in landscape, “xeriscape” landscaping essentially refers to a creating a landscape design that has been carefully tailored to withstand drought conditions.
Thanks so much for shining a light on the subject of lawn reform. I see that you have a link to our Lawn Reform Coalition. Great that you’re extending the conversation and raising awareness. Keep up the good work.