what can i plant instead of grass

^{Plant Alternatives to Grass}

• Ground Covers. With ground cover plants, you can easily knock out the dreaded chore of mowing the grass. ...
• Fescue and Ornamental Grass. Both fescue and ornamental grasses provide another alternative to the traditional lawn. ...
• Flowers, Herbs and Vegetables. Another option for your lawn includes the incorporation of flowers, consisting of carefully placed beds or stunning meadows.

What is a good alternative to grass?

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 .

What can you use instead of grass?

What is the best ground cover to replace grass?

• Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
• Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
• Green Carpet (Herniaria Glabra)
• Sanddune Sedge (Carex pansa)
• ‘Emerald Carpet’ (Arctostaphylos)

What is the best plant food for grass?

• Organic fertilizers are naturally made at home. It breaks down its nutrients over time and is slow-release absorption into the soil.
• Granular plant food takes time to soak the soil after watering. ...
• Water-soluble styles of lawn food are instant and help grass start to green within days.

What are the methods for planting grass in existing grass?

• Method # 2. Seeding: This method has not become so popular but can be followed for making lawn. ...
• Method # 3. Turfing: In this method, the pieces of uniform thickness of turf along with soil are made from the place where grass is compact and free from weeds.
• Method # 4. ...
• Method # 5. ...

What can I plant that I can walk on without having to mow it?

Hard fescue and fescue mixes Fine fescue is the most popular cool-season grass for a no-mow or low-mow lawn. Fescues require very little maintenance: They're hardy and they'll naturally crowd out weeds, so you don't have to worry about fertilizer or herbicide.

Can I plant flowers instead of grass?

Flowers, Herbs and Vegetables Wildflowers mixed in with prairie grasses will create a lovely meadow; however, check first to see what varieties thrive in your area. A meadow can add striking color and texture to your landscape while providing a low maintenance solution to the traditional grass-covered lawn.

What is the best low maintenance ground cover?

The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your GardenHeuchera. 2/16. ... Honeysuckle. 3/16. ... Brass Buttons. 4/16. ... Creeping Phlox. 5/16. ... Creeping Jenny. 6/16. ... Stonecrop. 7/16. ... Vinca Minor. 8/16. ... Lamium. 9/16.More items...

Why we should get rid of lawns?

Likewise, rainwater runoff from lawns can carry pesticides and fertilizers into rivers, lakes, streams and oceans via the sewer system. This can poison fish and other aquatic animals and harm humans who swim, surf and eat seafood that may be contaminated. And then, of course, lawn mowers can pollute the air.

How do I plant flowers in my yard?

0:091:27How to Plant Flowers - Spring Garden 2015 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 1 clear area with an cultivator. This will be large objects and rocks step to use the HenriqueMoreStep 1 clear area with an cultivator. This will be large objects and rocks step to use the Henrique tribute all small. Step 3 with a trowel take a hole a little bigger than your flower pot.

What is grass flower?

Yes, grass is a flowering plant. This conveys that grasses are primarily self-pollinated and wind pollinated. They are rarely pollinated by animals or insects (exceptions can be grass inflorescence).

How do I grow flowers in my lawn?

6 steps to plant a wildflower meadowRemove existing grass. Wildflowers don't compete well with turfgrasses, so all existing vegetation must be removed before seeding. ... Weed your area (if you used a sod cutter) Don't let bare soil trick you into thinking your lawn is weed-free. ... Scatter seeds. ... Compress seeds. ... Water. ... Maintain.

How do you plant grass where flowers?

How to make a flower bed over grass:Step 1: Spread your fertilizer on the area, then smother the grass using a weed barrier & landscape staples.Step 2: Prepare your branding iron to create holes for your plants. ... Step 3: Measure out distance appropriate for your flowers and burn holes with the branding iron.More items...•

What is the best ground cover for tea?

USDA Zones 4 to 9. Best ground cover to harvest as tea. Chamomile releases the scent of apple and daisies with every footfall, and if you live in zones 4 to 9, you could easily grow that beauty to cover your yard.

How to keep lawn trim in an age without lawn mowers?

In an age without lawn mowers and gasoline, the only way to keep the turf trim was by employing scores of subservient, scythe-wielding serfs (say that five times fast) to do what amounted to pretty pointless work.

What to do if you don't have time to mow?

If you don’t have the time to mow your lawn regularly, perhaps it is time to replace it with thyme (if you’ll forgive me for that atrocious sentence)! Consider transforming part of your landscape into an aromatic thyme garden.

How to restore a biodiverse zone?

If you want to restore your land to a healthy, biodiverse zone of totally native plants, however, you’ll need to take out the old and bring in the new. Some beautiful and useful plants just can’t get a foothold if grass and clover are in the way. You will need to research what local, native plants could live in your area. Websites like Grow Native can help you rediscover what your land once grew.

What is monkey grass?

Also called monkey grass (though there’s a totally different family of plants that also shares the common name) and lilyturf, this easy-care perennial is a fantastic choice for borders and those awkward areas of ground between sidewalks and the road, or around trees.

Can you plant clover and grass together?

The first is that it is a little less durable than a grass lawn, but this can be easily remedied by planting grass and clover together . They’ll back up each other and give you a surface that will take the worst of what your kids and dogs can throw at it.

Is clover a weed?

Clover may be seen as a weed in a traditional lawn, but what if it was the whole lawn? White clover is super low-maintenance, fantastic for pollinators, thrives in drought, doesn’t grow tall, smells amazing, and won’t need to be watered or fertilized. As a legume, it is a nitrogen fixer, so you can think of it as creating its own fertilizer. It grows beautifully in zones 3 to 10 in full sun or partial shade, and it isn’t picky about soil quality.

Why find alternatives to grass?

Lawns are child-friendly, wildlife havens, soft areas where you can sunbathe, and design-wise a necessary ‘neutral space’, but you can’t use them year-round and they need care, including spiking and scarifying, mowing, weed control and watering.

What is the best grass to use under a tree?

3. Perfect for shady areas: bark. Ideal for dark corners under trees where even shade-tolerant types of grass struggle to grow well, bark feels more at home, although simple water-worn gravels work too. Choose natural stripped pine bark or similar and, for colour and texture, add plants in areas not used for seating.

What to plant for a thyme tapestry?

For a thyme tapestry effect, plant each variety in large teardrop-shaped drifts and mix them up throughout the design. If you don’t need to walk on parts of the lawn at all, seas of weed-smothering ground cover plants such as bugle (Ajuga), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), self-heal (Prunella), and even ivy work well.

What is the best material to use for a lawn?

Use fluid materials such as gravel. Gravel is an ideal lawn alternative, being easy to use and suitable for both traditional and contemporary garden designs. However, replacing a large lawn in the garden of a suburban semi with a sea of gravel is rather boring, and impractical for families with children.

What is Derwent grass?

The Derwent Artificial Grass from Carpetright (below) subtly combines different shades of green and brown for a realistic look, and is fabulously soft underfoot.

What is a good ground cover for a roof?

Sedum mats, commonly used on green or living roofs, are good ground cover, if given enough sun. Whichever option you choose, paths made from paving, gravel or timber sleepers are essential throughout, so you don’t crush the planting when you walk. Use our guide to choosing plants for more guidance. 5.

Can you leave grass to grow long?

Of course, not all the lawn has to be left to grow long. Areas near the house can be cut as normal, with paths made with a mower through longer grass in areas that aren’t used regularly. Letting lawn grass grow long doesn’t automatically mean masses of wildflowers will appear, however; grasses will dominate.

What is the best grass replacement for a lawn?

Chamomile . Some chamomile varieties can be used as lawn alternatives, such as English chamomile and Roman chamomile. While this grass replacement is fairly time consuming in the beginning, it becomes an attractive, low-maintenance option that can even withstand traffic once it is well established.

What is the best ground cover for a lawn?

Oregano is another herb ground cover option that can be used to replace a natural grass lawn. This attractive choice brings a delightful fragrance to your yard and can handle light-to-moderate foot traffic, depending on the variety you choose. Creeping oregano is a fast grower that only gets about three inches tall, which makes it among the best choices of oregano varieties to use as living ground covers. Remember, if you plan on using your oregano for culinary or medicinal purposes, it is best to use it to replace lawns that are not near areas used for parking, walking or pet restrooms. Alternatively, you can always plant a separate crop in a container or in your herb garden for household use.

How to reduce lawn size with island flowerbed?

For reducing lawn size, this type of flowerbed allows you to remove as much or as little as you want of your natural grass lawn. That area can then be planted with low-water, low-maintenance plants that add texture and color to your yard. To replace your lawn completely, you can pair and island flowerbed with another of the options on this list, such as artificial grass, mulch or gravel.

What to do with a tired lawn?

1. Wildflower Meadow. If you are tired of weekly mowing and rising water bills, try replacing your lawn with a wildflower meadow. Seed mixes are easy to come by at your local garden center, and you can have a beautiful, flowering meadow to enjoy instead of a typical grass lawn.

What is the best way to reduce erosion in a yard?

Mulch . Mulch is a low-cost, low-maintenance, attractive alternative to grass that adds color to your yard, limits weed growth and helps to control erosion. You may be able to find free or low-cost mulch through local programs or from tree trimmers in your area.

Where is low water landscaping popular?

This type of low-water landscaping is popular in Southern California and can be seen throughout the Southwestern United States. The basic principle is to use drought-tolerant native plants and succulents to create a low-maintenance, low-water alternative to natural grass lawns and other water-wasting landscaping options.

Is clover grass good for a lawn?

Clover is a great choice for people who want the look of a natural grass lawn, don’t mind a bit of mowing and are not concerned about a lot of traffic. This pretty ground cover requires little water and stays green all summer without the need for chemical fertilizers. It is an inexpensive option that looks great and can stand up to some traffic.

What is the best way to keep grass from growing in my lawn?

Installing a fabric barrier makes this option much easier to maintain since grass or weeds will not show through the mulch. 2. Artificial Grass. When it becomes difficult to grow grass in your lawn, artificial grass is one of the most popular alternatives.

What is the best material for a lawn?

Gravel. There are plenty of different gravel color options to style your yard and gravel can be an easier and cheap alternatives to grass lawn. If you are expecting a beautiful but low maintenance garden, gravel is the best material. Gravel can be used in gardens for many purposes.

How much does mulch cost?

Many people lay mulch on their lawn and create walking paths around them. These usually cost 0.20-0.60 $ per sq. meter. Mulch landscaping includes adding decaying leaves, bark, or compost instead of grass. This takes only a little effort and maintenance and is easier than that of a grass lawn. You can use landscape fabric under the mulch as a barrier to reduce the number of weeds that will grow. One of the benefits of this type of landscaping is that it helps to maintain your soil in top condition.

How much does it cost to paint grass green?

If you’re having trouble growing grass, just paint your current lawn green. This costs about 25-35 cents per sq. meter. Lawn painting is widely used in golf courses and football fields as a method of touching up the brown grass spots. However, water restrictions and drought situations have caused difficulties for homeowners who are interested in having a lawn in their garden. It has become hard to maintain lawns as well as to find methods to keep the grass green due to various reasons. Therefore, lawn painting can be considered as one of the best alternatives to maintain green grass. Non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients are used to make lawn paints, making it harmless to both humans and animals.

How long does artificial grass last?

These would usually last around twenty years, but it will also depend on the maintenance as well as the amount of traffic in your area. These are usually laid on a 35mm layer of compacted sharp sand so remember that it is not to be used on all types of soils. The popularity of artificial grass is due to many reasons.

What happens when you can't grow grass?

Grass can add a natural new look to your lawn. But what happens when you cannot grow it? Many factors can prevent grass from growing. For example, if you do not have enough time to maintain it, if the weather is bad or the soil is poor, then, of course, you will have to turn to a better alternative.

What are some good ground cover plants?

Some common types are ajuga, lungwort, foamflower, creeping juniper, monkey grass, periwinkle, pachysandra, wild violets, and hosta. The ground preparing process for covering plants is the same as for regular plants. You can plant these at any time of the year, but early in the spring and late in the fall would be better. You need to water these plants once a week until they grow and spread. After that, natural rainfall is sufficient for them to grow, expect in intense dry periods or droughts.

What is a no mow lawn?

These “no mow” lawns are the product of seeds specially designed to require minimal mowing. Some homeowners actually have taken things a step further, eschewing grass entirely in favor of alternatives—that is, hardy, low-growing ground covers (or even artificial grass). These lawn substitutes can eliminate the problems normally faced in shady yards or on properties subject to the wear and tear brought on by pet dogs. So before you sod the front lawn or re-seed the backyard, consider your options beyond bluegrass, fescue, and rye.

What is fescue grass?

Photo: brumfieldsodfarm.com. Technically a grass, fescue has one distinct advantage over species traditionally planted in yards—you barely have to mow it. With growth, fescue blades fold over on themselves, creating a lovely sea of green that actually ripples in the wind.

Why is it important to keep your yard green?

That’s because many yards are planted with non-native grass species in need of extensive upkeep, from mowing and fertilizing to weed-killing and watering.

Can clover be used on grass?

Clover may also be used on its own for a non-traditional lawn with no grass at all. For this purpose, choose white, or Dutch, clover. It can stand up to occasional mowing, doesn’t grow tall, tends to crowd out weeds and is virtually impervious to pet urine.

What grasses grow taller?

Ornamental grasses such as fescue, blue oat grass, fountain grass, and muhly grass grow into tall, fountain-like shapes that make compelling additions to any landscape. There are many of these versatile grasses to choose from, and they are easy to contain without spreading out of control. Simply trim them back each season to encourage new growth.

What is a ground cover?

Ground covers are low-growing plants that form a lovely sprawling blanket over the ground. Some can take a little bit of time to establish, but once they spread, ground cover plants are easy to maintain and make excellent no-mow lawn alternatives.

Is sand good for a rock garden?

Sand can provide a clean base for an enclosed rock garden, an interesting accent space, a path, or a total lawn replacement. It can also make the perfect ground covering for a gathering area with lawn chairs and a fire pit. Sand provides good drainage and, once placed, doesn’t require much effort to maintain.

Is moss good for lawns?

If you’ve never thought of moss as a lawn alternative, we get it, but it’s worth knowing that it can create a truly intriguing look for your ground cover . Once it’s given time to establish and spread, moss will form a soft, springy-textured lawn with a rich, green color.

Is gravel good for landscaping?

Incorporating gravel into your landscaping is an excellent way to create a pleasing, easy-to-manage environment around your home. Pea gravel, stone, and crushed granite are especially great alternatives for dry, hot regions where grass upkeep requires a lot of watering. Since gravel is a cheap alternative to a grass lawn, a stone and gravel company can help you easily spread granite over large areas.

Do grass lawns need to be mowed?

Grass lawns must be regularly mowed, watered, and fertilized. Not only can the cost of this maintenance add up over time, but herbicide runoff can sometimes negatively impact the surrounding environment.

Does chamomile grow in a sloped yard?

Once established, Roman chamomile spreads quickly to form a short, neat lawn. Chamomile grows well in difficult-to-manage areas, such as a sloped yard, and is a great source of nitrogen for the surrounding soil. When in bloom, a chamomile lawn will boast white flowers with a pleasant aroma.

How to replace grass in desert?

“We have to think about what goals we want to achieve, and a lot of times that’s water conservation; but we want to keep hot cities cool and rock can make that worse,” says Cadenasso. That doesn’t mean thirsty blades are the only option. Instead, replace your water-sucking grass with mulch. Whether it’s made from bark or compost, this organic mixture will hold onto any trace of water tightly. A three-inch thick layer is enough to protect the soil beneath and the plants above.

What flowers should I plant around my new yard?

Add some Dutch white clover ( Trifolium species ), English daisy ( Bellis perennis ), and baby blue eyes ( Nemophila menziesii) around the edges to break up the sea of green. Keep creeping thyme under your feet.

What happens if you don't cover your lawn?

If they don’t, they may have a drought resistant lawn that’s still sucking up a lot of water .”. Cadenasso also says tree cover is key. Lush canopies create shade that helps cool cities and curb evaporation. If you do replace your lawn with a watersmart alternative, make sure you don’t dry up valuable timber.

Do you need fertilizer for watersmart?

The turf doppelgangers are close cousins of more familiar grasses, but don’t require fertilizers .

Is creeping thyme a good plant for a monarch?

Creeping thyme and similar plants like milkweed, marigolds, and mint plants thrive in moist environments and aren’t picky about soil, even if it’s sandy. While it certainly isn’t the typical field of green, this shocking pink plant is sure to increase your chances of seeing a monarch before breakfast.

Does moss need fertilizer?

Moss is about the lowest maintenance lawn you can get. Because it doesn’t have roots, seeds, fruits, or flowers, it doesn’t need mowing or fertilizing. In wet, humid areas like the southeast, it doesn’t need much watering, either. To make the most of your moss, you’ll need neighboring shrubs and trees because it likes shade. For a pop of color, try adding Mimosa strigillosa ––commonly known as powderpuff mimosa. The plant’s pink pompoms are a bee haven. Near the beach? Perennial peanut thrives in sandy soils.