Wood chippings or bark. It’s commonly used in flower beds as a ‘mulch’ to improve the soil, but it’s also more attractive than soil. For a larger area (e.g to replace a lawn) you can buy play grade wood chips or bark. This will be cleaned and free from pests and weeds. Wood chip (left) and play bark (right) …There are different types of grass alternatives that you can use in place of traditional turf grass on your lawn in Colorado. Here are a few of the most popular and effective ones: #1. Ground Covers: Creeping Jenny. Ground covers provide the same aesthetic appeal as grass but require less water and maintenance.5 Alternatives to Grass Lawns. Consider using a substitute for grass lawn in your yard, and never mow again. Lawns make up more than an estimated 63 thousand square miles in the …Having a beautiful, lush lawn is the goal of many homeowners. But in order to achieve this goal, you need to know when it’s time to dethatch your lawn. Dethatching is an important ...An excellent alternative to artificial grass, areas planted in groundcover need little to no maintenance. Groundcovers are usually chosen for texture, density, and how well they spread and choke out the weeds. They can be planted in poor soil and even enhance the soil by acting as a mulch. Some groundcovers are nitrogen-fixing.Sep 19, 2023 · An estimated 40-60% of household water use goes to landscaping. But a grassy lawn is the hallmark of the American landscape. With growing concerns about drought, herbicide use, and maintenance, thirsty ornamental grasses may need to be replaced with more sustainable lawn alternatives. An excellent alternative to artificial grass, areas planted in groundcover need little to no maintenance. Groundcovers are usually chosen for texture, density, and how well they spread and choke out the weeds. They can be planted in poor soil and even enhance the soil by acting as a mulch. Some groundcovers are nitrogen-fixing.Lawns require a major investment of time and money, especially if you live in the rainy climate of western Oregon and Washington. Many homeowners in the Pacific Northwest are giving up the idea of perfectly manicured lawns in favor of northwestern lawn alternatives, which tend to require less water, less …When you need to know how to seed a lawn, the key to success is in preparing the soil. It’s also important to choose the best type of grass seeds to plant for the season and your l...Add some color to your lawn with this wildflower mix from Amazon. The mixture offers a low-growing ground cover composed of fine fescue, flowers, and clovers, including Sweet Alyssum, Baby Blue Eyes, Soapwort, and Violas for a colorful and diverse alternative to grass lawns.Tip: If you catch pet urine quickly after it happens on the lawn, water it down to decrease the intensity of the brown spot. 5. Zoysia Grass. Great for warm, dry climates, Zoysia grass is a perfect drought-tolerant ground cover option. Zoysia grows deep roots, making it sturdy and long-lasting.St. Augustine grass feels very much like Bermuda, but can grow with only four to five hours of daily sunlight. It grows higher than Bermuda, so you may have to mow more often. Consider using ...Apr 12, 2022 · Tip: If you catch pet urine quickly after it happens on the lawn, water it down to decrease the intensity of the brown spot. 5. Zoysia Grass. Great for warm, dry climates, Zoysia grass is a perfect drought-tolerant ground cover option. Zoysia grows deep roots, making it sturdy and long-lasting. The final consideration is which method to use for establishing a native lawn. The main options, in order of most to least expensive, are: 1) native sod, 2) plug plants, or 3) seeding. Although native sod is more expensive than traditional sod, it is rapidly gaining favor as the preferred method because as with traditional …Sedum Lawns: Commonly used for green roofs, sedum can be planted as pot plants, plugs, or mats. Early-stage weeding is crucial for establishing a healthy sedum lawn. Moss lawns offer a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative to grass lawns, adaptable to various settings and capable of creating distinctive, natural landscapes.Choose the Right Grass - The first time I tried to grow grass in some of the bare patches of my lawn, I skimped on seed. It showed. A few took root and sprouted, but the overall effect was half-hearted. The next year I spent more money. I chose a grass seed designed for a lawn in shady areas. The best type I found …Artificial, synthetic and fake grass. If you still want the look of grass, synthetic turf is a great option. Ideal for areas where kids or pets play, it's just like the real thing without the ongoing hassle of mowing and watering; and you can install it yourself. Taking care of it is easy with just a quick vacuum, sweep or hose down.A Farewell to Lawns. Native turf-grass alternatives can reduce your environmental footprint while supporting birds, butterflies and other living creatures. Doreen Cubie; Urban Greening Part 3; Apr 01, 2019; In a Denver, Colorado, front yard, a garden bed bordered by native drought-tolerant buffalograss takes the …Mulch and Ornamental Grasses. A simple, affordable, and easy-to-install lawn alternative is the mulch and ornamental grasses combo. Ornamental grass is low-maintenance and drought-resistant. Mulch, meanwhile, enriches soil and keeps weeds away. No need to stick to homebuilders’ popular choice in grass, liriope, either.The scoop. Adding moss to your lawn is a great way to fill in patches, reduce water consumption, and spend less time on yard work.In a few simple steps, you’ll have a charming moss yard. First ...Meadow Lawns. A mix of low-maintenance native grasses and wildflowers can mimic a natural meadow or grassland ecosystem in your yard. Besides saving on water, the plants support pollinators and increase biodiversity. “A meadow lawn may not have the same manicured appearance of a traditional …The microclover seed often comes coated with a Rhizobium bacterium – a natural organism that the plant needs to fix nitrogen, which is sometimes lacking in residential lawn soils. So if you are looking for an eco-sustainable alternative to lawns, try adding clover to your Kentucky bluegrass or turf-type tall fescue lawn.Native ground cover is the perfect alternative to grass. Consider a carpet of Woolly Stemodia, with its thick green foliage and white flowers in spring, instead of a boring stretch of grass. Another beautiful native plant is trailing rosemary, which is drought-tolerant and extremely versatile. It can be cut short …5 Reasons To Choose An Eco-Friendly Lawn Alternative To Grass. As I mentioned above, manicured lawns place a serious toll on the environment. According to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), lawns consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas (for all that mowing), and 70 million pounds of pesticides …2. Reduce Water Use. 40% of all water used in the United States goes to landscaping. Grass alternatives suited to your climate should require far less water, which will also save you time and money. Consider some of these drought-tolerant ground covers to cut back substantially on the water your landscape …On one hand, it’s a minority of lawn owners who hire lawn-care companies or add fertilizers or pesticides to their lawns. In a February 2021 CR nationally representative survey of 1,772 lawn ...Instead of using turfgrass, your lawn can become a “no mow” area. This can be achieved by using plants that do not need to be mowed regularly, such as low-growing sedges ( Carex spp., Zones 3–9) and seed mixes with a variety of native fine fescues ( Festuca spp., Zones 3–9). These types of grasses typically need to be cut back only once ...Other options for grass alternatives in Florida include frogfruit, liriope, creeping thyme, and mimosa strigillosa. These ground covers are low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and can grow in both sun and shade. Overall, when choosing the right grass alternative for your Florida lawn, consider factors such …Check out these 16 grass alternatives to inspire you to transform your lawn into an alluring, no-fuss outdoor space with the help of artificial grass installers. 1. Artificial Turf. …Feb 22, 2024 · Best 9 eco-friendly alternatives to grass for your lawn. From groundcovers to hardscapes, you’ve got a treasure trove of options for a beautiful, sustainable lawn. 1. Groundcovers. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that will fill out your eco lawn with zero mowing and little to no fertilizer. 27-Oct-2022 ... What Are the Best Grass Alternatives? · Clover: This low-growing plant has had a checkered history when it comes to lawns. · Moss: Using moss as ...Turf is a no-maintenance grass alternative. You’ll never need to mow or water it. But, it’s important to note—high-quality turf is an investment, around $12 a square foot which …This might be the first you've heard of red creeping thyme, especially within the context of lawns, but the pink-flowering plant has caused quite the stir in the lawn community, and for all the right reasons. 'Red creeping thyme lawns are a fragrant, low-growing alternative to traditional grass lawns,' says Tony O'Neill gardening expert at ...When a significant portion of a city is converted from turf grass to non-turf green space like clover lawns and meadows, more CO2 is absorbed, which can help clear the air of pollution. Taller ...A corner section of a flower bed along the curb and driveway has some old buffalo grass that was growing alongside fescue when we bought the house. We encourage it, and it has spread in to the flower bed. I refer it to it as the “historic lawn.” Perhaps the original 1886 lawn was buffalo grass!Instead of using turfgrass, your lawn can become a “no mow” area. This can be achieved by using plants that do not need to be mowed regularly, such as low-growing sedges ( Carex spp., Zones 3–9) and seed mixes with a variety of native fine fescues ( Festuca spp., Zones 3–9). These types of grasses typically need to be cut back only once ...Even with great upkeep and plenty of attention, your grass lawn may not prove a sustainable, long-term option. Drought-tolerant and drought-resistant options are …. Lower maintenance than turfgrasses. Eco-friendly. Often low-mow or no-mow. Often pollinator-friendly. Many require less fertilizer and herbicide than turfgrasses.Apr 4, 2023 · The final native grass species that is suitable as a lawn alternative is redgrass. This species is a warm-season grass and grows using runners. This makes it more like a traditional lawn if that’s the look that you’re after. This species is particularly good for coastal areas and is drought-tolerant but doesn’t like frost. And the best ... Open up to beautiful lawn alternatives For Bay Area landscapes that have perfectly good grass-growing conditions, it makes sense to consider environmental and aesthetic alternatives. For example, an eco-lawn mix of grasses and flowering plants is a more sustainable approach to a water-efficient …Drought-tolerant options include buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, bahiagrass, and blue grama. 1. Native Turf Grasses. 1. Native Turf Grasses. Veronica, or Speedwell, is a diverse, sturdy, and ...Feb 23, 2024 · Replace a portion of your lawn with a garden consisting of shrubs, ornamental grasses, flowers, and/or edible plants. One way to approach this is to start small. Consider removing just a 4’x4’ area of grass and replacing it with plants in one year, and then expand the area in subsequent years by dividing plants or adding new ones. Considered a non-traditional lawn, a tapestry lawn is a low-maintenance alternative to the traditional turfgrass lawn. This blended interlacing uses native plants (perennials) that require less ... Selective lawn weedkillers cannot be used on chamomile lawns. The initial cost of planting and the time required to keep them weed free generally results in chamomile lawns being limited to small areas of ground. If ideal growing conditions cannot be provided for chamomile, there are other plants that can be used as alternatives to grass lawns. Jul 28, 2021 · Clover lawns are an increasingly popular lawn alternative. The botanical name mentioned here is for white clover. You may also be interested in red clover ( Trifolium pratense) and microclover ... Look to other grasses before trying Zoysia. 8. Native California/Seashore Bentgrass ( Agrostis pallens) This cool-season native bentgrass goes by a lot of names: Native Bentgrass, California Bentgrass, Seashore Bentgrass, and West Coast Native Bentgrass, and the names are pretty accurate.7 backyard looks without lawns that will inspire you to ditch the turf. Whether you love the look of a modern backyard, or prefer something softer and traditional, you don't have to rely on a lawn to fill space if you don't want to. These looks are fuss-free, practical, and look fabulous, too. 1. Incorporate decking.Having a beautiful, lush lawn is the goal of many homeowners. But in order to achieve this goal, you need to know when it’s time to dethatch your lawn. Dethatching is an important ...Stemming back to the 1800’s, short-cut lawns were a sign of wealth in Europe and gradually made their way to the United States. No longer a status symbol, turfgrass lawns are the norm today, and for years have been the most popular yard coverage in Florida. But a spacious lawn is not always the practical … VARIETIES: Dutch white is the most commonly available clover by seed and is the best suited for lawn-type applications. Microclover (T. repens L. var. Pirouette), a dwarf cultivar of the common Dutch white clover, is also a popular option for a lawn alternative. Clover is a legume - it fixes nitrogen in root nodules. Lawns and Lawn Alternatives · identify the proper lawn maintenance techniques · recommend lawn alternatives for specific situations · identify proper ways to&n...This might be the first you've heard of red creeping thyme, especially within the context of lawns, but the pink-flowering plant has caused quite the stir in the lawn community, and for all the right reasons. 'Red creeping thyme lawns are a fragrant, low-growing alternative to traditional grass lawns,' says Tony O'Neill gardening expert at ...There are different types of grass alternatives that you can use in place of traditional turf grass on your lawn in Colorado. Here are a few of the most popular and effective ones: #1. Ground Covers: Creeping Jenny. Ground covers provide the same aesthetic appeal as grass but require less water and maintenance.Thyme Alternative to Grass. A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon, and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. As an added bonus, thyme blooms in a long-lasting profusion of lavender hued flowers.Dec 31, 2001 · Discovered originally by Briar Hoffman growing in the lawn of a church in Towson, Maryland, Baltimore sedge is one of the best low-growing, lawn-forming sedges for deep shade. Treat this sedge as you would C. texensis. Plant plugs 6 to 8 inches on center. VARIETIES: Dutch white is the most commonly available clover by seed and is the best suited for lawn-type applications. Microclover (T. repens L. var. Pirouette), a dwarf cultivar of the common Dutch white clover, is also a popular option for a lawn alternative. Clover is a legume - it fixes nitrogen in root nodules. Drought-tolerant options include buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, bahiagrass, and blue grama. 1. Native Turf Grasses. 1. Native Turf Grasses. Veronica, or Speedwell, is a diverse, sturdy, and ...Apr 4, 2023 · Turf is a no-maintenance grass alternative. You’ll never need to mow or water it. But, it’s important to note—high-quality turf is an investment, around $12 a square foot which can add up ... This will hold everything in place and prevent run-off down the road. 4. Creeping Thyme. For the roughest climates and the toughest usage, creeping thyme is a great alternative to natural and alternative grass. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a living lawn, but your usage or climate just won’t accommodate moss.Jan 9, 2020 · For a shady spot. Grass tends to struggle in lawns overhung by trees and shrubs, so a no-grass lawn is a great alternative. These shade-loving plants offer subtle rather than bright colours. We used: Campanula poscharskyana, Veronica prostrata 'Trehane', Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black', Vinca minor, Prunella vulgaris, Mentha requienii. The Denver Water Department said that, in 1981, they coined the term, which means “dry-scaping” in Greek, to describe an alternative to grass yards. At its root, xeriscaping is a landscaping ...Native ground cover is the perfect alternative to grass. Consider a carpet of Woolly Stemodia, with its thick green foliage and white flowers in spring, instead of a boring stretch of grass. Another beautiful native plant is trailing rosemary, which is drought-tolerant and extremely versatile. It can be cut short …Less water. Watering your garden is often restricted in Australia, especially when there is a drought or adverse weather event. For all grass lawns, even the tougher varieties, frequent watering is often required to keep your lawn healthy. Many native grasses, small plants and moss lawns don’t need additional watering and will …Grass seeds are usually planted to achieve this tranquil and invigorating ambiance. Little did most people know that keeping grass lawns green could be high maintenance—constant moving, watering, and fertilizing is a requisite. A pain in the grass indeed! It’s about time to consider these alternatives to grass for gardens.Shredded or chipped wood or bark mulch, as well as pine needles, are great options as they are attractive, weed-free, and decompose slowly. Spread the mulch 2 to 4 inches thick and refresh thin or bare spots every few years. Mulch is a great alternative to turfgrass in this shady site with a lot of foot traffic.An excellent alternative to artificial grass, areas planted in groundcover need little to no maintenance. Groundcovers are usually chosen for texture, density, and how well they spread and choke out the weeds. They can be planted in poor soil and even enhance the soil by acting as a mulch. Some groundcovers are nitrogen-fixing.The final native grass species that is suitable as a lawn alternative is redgrass. This species is a warm-season grass and grows using runners. This makes it more like a traditional lawn if that’s the look that you’re after. This species is particularly good for coastal areas and is drought-tolerant but doesn’t like frost. …In Florida, a turf grass lawn is under constant siege. Blink, and the weeds have taken over. Clinton Lak prefers groundcover. As a landscape architect at ArtisTree, he’s a fan of hardy, low ...Choose the Right Grass - The first time I tried to grow grass in some of the bare patches of my lawn, I skimped on seed. It showed. A few took root and sprouted, but the overall effect was half-hearted. The next year I spent more money. I chose a grass seed designed for a lawn in shady areas. The best type I found …When it comes to lawn care, one of the most important aspects is understanding how to treat and prevent lawn disease. While there are a variety of diseases that can affect your law...Apr 4, 2023 · Turf is a no-maintenance grass alternative. You’ll never need to mow or water it. But, it’s important to note—high-quality turf is an investment, around $12 a square foot which can add up ... This might be the first you've heard of red creeping thyme, especially within the context of lawns, but the pink-flowering plant has caused quite the stir in the lawn community, and for all the right reasons. 'Red creeping thyme lawns are a fragrant, low-growing alternative to traditional grass lawns,' says Tony O'Neill gardening expert at ...Here are my alternative lawn pros: Drought prone regions can avoid frequent irrigation. While some areas of the country receive more than enough rainfall to sustain a lush lawn, certain regions may experience periods of intense heat and drought. Those living in drought prone regions often begin to explore the concept …These are an excellent choice as a low-maintenance grass alternative for lawns. Besides other benefits of native plants, they also help promote yard biodiversity. Some popular …18-Jul-2014 ... Replace grass with low-growing ground covers such as creeping thyme, clover or sedum. These plants often require less water and maintenance ...Apr 12, 2022 · Tip: If you catch pet urine quickly after it happens on the lawn, water it down to decrease the intensity of the brown spot. 5. Zoysia Grass. Great for warm, dry climates, Zoysia grass is a perfect drought-tolerant ground cover option. Zoysia grows deep roots, making it sturdy and long-lasting. And as recently as 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated three trillion (yes, with a “t”) gallons of water were used to keep grass lush and green in the U.S., accounting for more ...Wood chippings or bark. It’s commonly used in flower beds as a ‘mulch’ to improve the soil, but it’s also more attractive than soil. For a larger area (e.g to replace a lawn) you can buy play grade wood chips or bark. This will be cleaned and free from pests and weeds. Wood chip (left) and play bark (right) …Manicured turf grass lawns cover up to 50 million acres of land in America. But a new, no-mow movement is challenging this conformity—and helping the environment. ...1. Clover. Clover is a great alternative to grass lawns. Clover may be seen as a weed in the context of the traditional grass lawn. But this ground cover plant is one of the best eco-friendly alternatives for your backyard. Clover grows low to the ground and can tolerate all types of sun and weather conditions.This will hold everything in place and prevent run-off down the road. 4. Creeping Thyme. For the roughest climates and the toughest usage, creeping thyme is a great alternative to natural and alternative grass. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a living lawn, but your usage or climate just won’t accommodate moss.You can grow a fragrant and edible lawn with oregano, thyme, mint types or even lawn chamomile. They're also very effective in high traffic areas when planted around paving, or gravel pathways; creating a lush carpet of green in between. Other ornamental lawn substitutes include Dichondra, Scleranthus, Pratia, Convolvulus, …Lawn Alternatives. June 14, 2019. Upland oaks and poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata), parasol sedge (Carex umbellata), lichens, mosses and diminutive wildflowers in Arlington, Virginia. Photo by R.H. Simmons. For many years, the American lawn has been viewed as a status symbol. Traditional lawns, described …
Jul 3, 2023 · 2) Wildflower Meadows. Perhaps the most popular option today for those looking to create a more eco-friendly alternative to a grass lawn is a wildflower meadow. 6. Joining the ‘no mow’ movement and letting weeds and wildflowers colonise an existing lawn is one way to let nature back into your garden. . Vegetarian restaurants pittsburgh
Jul 28, 2021 · Clover lawns are an increasingly popular lawn alternative. The botanical name mentioned here is for white clover. You may also be interested in red clover ( Trifolium pratense) and microclover ... Once your newly seeded blue grama lawn reaches a height of 3.5-4 inches, mow grass to a 2-3 inch height to promote a thicker lawn. Grass can be left unmowed or mowed to a height of 3-4 inches. Avoid frequent mowings and do not mow more than 1/3 of the grass height at once. Blue grama grows to about 20 inches in height.For zero maintenance, artificial grass is the best alternative to a grass lawn. It may not have quite the same soft, underfoot feeling, but it doesn’t require the same mowing, watering, or maintenance as grass. There are different grades of artificial grass, which is reflected in the cost. Prices start from as little as £9 per m2 for the ...Groundcover Plants and Clover Require Less Maintenance Than Grass Lawns. There are many alternatives to a carpet of monochromatic grass for one’s property. A variety of groundcover plants and clover can be used instead, as they spread out and grow horizontally and require no cutting. Some varieties of groundcover are …Cultivating Biodiversity: Embracing Alternative Lawns for a Sustainable and Flourishing Landscape. by Dalen Gardeneer. December 01, 2023. 9 min read. In modern-day America, preserving biodiversity is more crucial than ever. Alternative lawns offer a promising solution. Embracing alternative lawns can …Meadow “Lawn” areas. A mixture of grass, lilies, wildflowers and ground covers. Don’t mow… often. To encourage flowering and growth of the meadow it is recommended that the area be cut twice a year using a brush cutter. The optimal times to cut the meadow is in early summer after spring flowering and late autumn.Meadow “Lawn” areas. A mixture of grass, lilies, wildflowers and ground covers. Don’t mow… often. To encourage flowering and growth of the meadow it is recommended that the area be cut twice a year using a brush cutter. The optimal times to cut the meadow is in early summer after spring flowering and late autumn.1. Clover. Clover is a great alternative to grass lawns. Clover may be seen as a weed in the context of the traditional grass lawn. But this ground cover plant is one of the best eco-friendly alternatives for your backyard. Clover grows low to the ground and can tolerate all types of sun and weather conditions.Jan 13, 2021 · Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), red top (Agrostis alba), yellow Maryland aster (Chrysopsis mariana), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), pussytoes (Antennaria plaginifolia), crested iris (Iris cristata), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), bird’s-foot violet (Viola pedata ... Last year, I wrote about the rise of sustainable alternatives to grass lawns.Many people are choosing to forgo their traditional monoculture grass yards in favor of wildflower yards, bee ...Native Grass Alternatives to Lawns. July 20, 2022. By Audrey Pongs. There are few things more American than the concept of expansive lawns. We love our dutiful blades of grass, all lined up and trimmed, just waiting to receive picnic blankets and soccer balls. We love grass so much that lawn care is a …The scoop. Adding moss to your lawn is a great way to fill in patches, reduce water consumption, and spend less time on yard work.In a few simple steps, you’ll have a charming moss yard. First ....