As much as you might want to have something beautiful in your landscape, sometimes it gets tough. To maintain a lawn is not easy. It requires frequent mowing, failure to which it will turn into something horrible. It also requires watering; else, the grass will dry.
Some of the other things a lawn requires include aeration, weeding, and feeding. If you feel like this is too much work for you, don’t worry. We have compiled the best alternative to a grass lawn, these includes:
Table of Contents
1. Ground Covers
Do you look forward to having a yard that won’t demand too much of your attention and save you money in the long run? You can never go wrong with ground covers. When they are already established, you’ll not have to water them frequently and will always have a lush, aesthetically pleasing yard. There are several varieties of ground cover. You can rest assured that you’ll get one that suits your needs fully. You can also grow different of them, as long as you’ll create a harmonious look.
Apart from making your space beautiful, groundcovers offer several benefits to the soil. They help in moisture retention and greatly prevents soil erosion.
Some of the most common ground covers include:
- Lily of the valley
- Creepy thyme
- Dead nettle
- Ajuga
- Sedum
- lavender
2. Clover
although many consider clover as a weed, it is one of the best alternatives for a lawn. It does not only make a yard attractive; it also maintains the soil, attracts pollinators, and is also edible. There are several clover species.
Whether you live in a dry or wet location, you will find a suitable species for your area. Its taproots make it excellent at protecting the soil from erosion. If there are other plants in your garden, growing clover will attract pollinators since many plants depend on them for fertilization.
Apart from the several advantages it offers to a lawn; growing clover is easy. It also fixes nitrogen into the soil, eliminating the need for adding fertilizers. It is tolerant and will withstand traffic.
3. Herb Garden
if you always want to have fresh herbs to spice your meals, you can opt to start a herb garden instead of grass. Herbs are hardy and will not need much of your attention. A combination of herbs with different colors will even be better for your landscape. The garden will make your space beautiful and offer you fresh, healthy herbs all year round.
The secret of growing herbs is selecting a perfect location for them. Different herbs have different growth requirements. Some do well in the shade, while others prefer the sun. Knowing these requirements before planting the herbs will save you from disappointments.
Use the right seeds that will produce healthy plants and will not take long before germinating. Prepare the soil thoroughly and add the necessary nutrients.
There are several types of herbs available. Some of them include rosemary, thyme, mint, parsley, lavender, oregano, and chives.
Herbs do well when grown directly into the soil, and in pots too. When growing them in pots, select stylish ones that will not only provide a growing medium for the plants but add elegance to your yard.
4. Rock Garden
A rock garden will beautify your space and withstand unpredictable weather patterns. You will not have to worry about too much rain, sun or snow with this kind of garden. It also brings a natural feel to your home since the rocks resemble those found on river banks.
A rock garden makes space appear larger, even if it’s small in reality. It is suitable for people who want to have an enticing space but don’t want the maintenance demands that come with it. You can also add a water feature like a fountain on the garden to make it even more beautiful, and create tranquility. the rocks can be painted to the color of your choice, to create a harmonious look on your space.
A rock garden makes space appear larger, even if it’s small in reality. It is suitable for people who want to have an enticing space but don’t want the maintenance demands that come with it. You can also add a water feature like a fountain on the garden to make it even more beautiful, and create tranquility. the rocks can be painted to the color of your choice, to create a harmonious look on your space.
5. Fruit Trees
Fruit trees will bring a feel of nature to your home and provide you with fruits when fully mature. Fruits usually have several benefits to the body, like improving its immunity. Growing them in your home will ensure that you’ll enjoy a fresh supply of your favorite fruits, which is more economical than buying them from grocery shops.
When selecting the types of trees to grow, ensure they are suitable for your climate. Some fruit trees will grow in cold climatic conditions, while others will thrive in hot ones.
Some trees may get really tall. That’s why you should avoid growing them near electricity lines. Others will send their roots far away and might interfere with structures. Such trees should be grown away from houses and sewer lines.
Most trees will require fertile soils and a sunny location for better growth. If the soil isn’t fertile, adding fertilizers will ensure that you get fruits within a short period of time. There are several types of trees you can grow. These include apples, cherries, avocados, pineapples, and grapes.
6. Artificial Turf
Do you always want to have a lawn but end up dismissing the idea when you think of all the maintenance demands it requires? Artificial grass is a better alternative.
One of its biggest benefits is that it does not demand too much maintenance. You only need to wash it only after it gets dirty and brushing to ensure the blades remain in an upright position. Installation is quite easy. You don’t have to wait until it establishes like you would if you were growing grass.
Your kids will play on it without getting grass stains. It also offers a comfortable surface for pets to rest in.
With artificial grass, you’ll not have to worry about shade or sun. It is suitable for both.
Since it does not grow, it doesn’t need watering or the addition of fertilizers. That will save you ample time and resources.
Surprisingly, some people will want to have a well-maintained lawn, but the idea of mowing makes them develop goosebumps. Mowing a lawn is no easy task, especially if it’s quite lengthy. Artificial turf will save you from stress.
Growing grass is not the only way to have a beautiful yard. There are several options, which are less demanding and even inexpensive. And they will bring elegance and class to your home, just like a lawn would do.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several types of ground covers that won’t demand a lot of maintenance. These include creeping thyme, ajuga, and sedum.
Rocks, unlike plants, do not decompose. Decomposing matters from plants mostly attract bugs. They also get their food from the plants. A rock garden will not attract many bugs, as compared to a plant garden.
Artificial grass can stay as long as 20 years if it is well maintained. What determines its lifespan is the quality of materials used to make it.
The time a tree takes to grow its first fruits will depend on its type, the soil’s condition, and the climatic conditions of your location.
