Alternatives for Yards with Major Curb Appeal
Green grass with a picket fence is often considered the best option for a yard, but a lawn is not necessarily the best choice for every climate or home. Grass alternatives are becoming more popular because lawn grass requires a lot of effort to stay green. Often, grasslands are patchy and dry during warm seasons. They need regular trimming to keep them tidy.
If pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are used in maintenance, these chemicals can harm people and the environment. Instead, consider these four grass alternatives that experts say can provide plenty of curb appeal with less maintenance.
"Grassless lawns are a growing trend in the world, starting in western states and moving up the East Coast. We're seeing more homeowners reduce the size of their lawns and plant edible landscapes, pollinator gardens, and rainwater. Gardens, and native grasses/wildflowers, as opposed to grass...It dramatically reduces water usage and allows you to use fewer chemicals and resources—goodbye, lawnmower,” says Joe Raboin, director of residential hardscapes at Belgard.
1. Go to the gravel
For those who aren't interested in doing any lawn or plant care, decorative gravel is a popular alternative, Raboin says. "There are many choices for size and color, so you can match any style," she adds. Landscape gravel or pebbles come in different washes and colors. By matching rock with local textures, you can easily blend in with the natural outdoor decor. This versatile and affordable grass substitute works well in rainy climates and near bodies of water like creeks and ponds.
2. Try artificial turf
Artificial grass offers many attractive features that make it a great grass substitute. Like carpeting for your home, "it comes in a variety of pile heights and styles that can last for decades if installed properly. There are even lawn options designed for dogs that reduce bacteria and cleaning," says Raboin.
These synthetic fibers look like grass, but they are not. Fibers come in different blade shapes like oval, diamond, W, and V shapes. Artificial turf is durable, making it ideal for outdoor soccer or football games. Breathable with holes drilled in the bottom to allow water to escape before mold or bacteria grow. With regular cleaning, artificial grass is a grass substitute that can give you the look of a lush green lawn without the labor of regular grass.
3. Plant low-maintenance ground covers
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A terrapin can be a low-growing plant, but is ideal for use as a lawn substitute and tolerates being trampled. One of Giambalvo's favorite choices is the turkey mulberry foxfruit (Pyla nodiflora). Also known as mat grass and carpetweed, these colorful names indicate what it looks like. This plant grows quickly in sunny areas, reaches 3-12 inches tall, and requires much less water than traditional grass. Mistletoe is hardy in zones 7-11 and is evergreen in warm southern climates. "This beautiful groundcover is native to 23 states and is covered in tiny white and purple flowers that pollinators love," says Giambalvo.
7 Low maintenance Ground Covers
4. Make a bed
For those who don't want to replace the grass entirely, but want to reduce the lawn, creating a bed is a great alternative. A flower bed can be used for "beautiful flowering plants and shrubs that are native to your local area," Giambalvo suggests. "These plants evolved in the local climate and are very hardy and drought tolerant. Once established they require extra water. A native garden not only saves on water costs but also attracts a variety of pollinators and birds to your yard. ." Also, if you're interested in growing food, you can use a raised bed for an herb or vegetable garden.
Grass replacement considerations
Yards have lots of grass alternatives to choose from. So, if you're looking at invasive pavers or green leafy vegetables, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Important factors to consider are the water sources around your home and the weather. For example, if your current lawn absorbs too much runoff from rain or flooding, your new landscape will do the same. Make sure materials allow for proper drainage and that any planting is done far enough away from your home so that water and roots don't damage the home's foundation. Also, natural grass substitutes—edible or not—will attract insects and other creatures you wouldn't normally see on grass. Embrace change by adding native plants and bird feeders to the yard to further enhance your small wildlife habitat.
Finally, check that your landscaping projects are permitted in your area before making any significant changes. Homeowners associations and local laws may limit the height of vegetation or the percentage of grass on the property. Check the rules ahead of time to avoid fines and upsetting your neighbors.
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