Eco-Friendly Grass Alternative Ideas for Your Lawn

Grass Alternatives For Sonoma County

Have you ever thought about how eco-friendly your lawn is? Traditional grass lawns utilize an immense amount of water and fertilizer to remain green throughout the year. Many homeowners, particularly those who live in dry climates like California, cannot afford to keep their yards perfectly green. When your hometown doesn't naturally have a lot of rain, keeping grass from dying isn't easy. If you struggle with your grass, you may want to talk to a landscaping contractor about what your options are.



Alternative Grass Ideas From a Landscape Contractor

If you prefer to replace your traditional lawn with other plant species, there are plants that can handle drought-like conditions and help protect the environment better. When you work with a contractor, he or she will be more than willing to explain to you what type of decor or plant life you can have given the area you live in.

Non-Grass Species

If you have a small area, planting low-growing perennials can create a carpet between stepping stones and pavers. Various species can handle foot traffic and also thrive in sunny and shady areas. Others, however, will need to remain in areas that see little to no traffic.

Determining your needs with a local expert may help you decide which plans to settle on. Some common perennials include:

• Frogfruit
• Silver carpet
• Creeping thyme
• Silver ponyfoot
• Blue star creeper
• Roman chamomile
• Corsican mint
• Stonecrop
• Baby's tears

When choosing any plant life for your property, consider drought-tolerant vegetation. Drought-tolerant plants thrive in dry conditions and require minimal water.

No-Mow Grasses

If you need to maintain your lawn, no-mow grasses may be a reasonable alternative. No-mow lawn alternatives typically blend clumping and creeping Fescue varieties. While your landscape contractor may refer to these grasses as no-mow, they may require occasional mowing and do require raking out old material.

Generally, these grasses are considered a part of drought tolerant landscaping because they require little water and less maintenance and fertilizer than traditional lawns. The two main no-mow grasses include buffalo and meadow grasses.

Buffalo grass is a native grass to North America that comprises short grass prairies. It requires 75% less water than traditional lawns and you can mow it to resemble a traditional lawn or allow it to grow to its full eight to ten inches.

Meadow grass, on the other hand, is not true grass. It is more closely related to a plant called sedge. Often, homeowners use meadow grass to stabilize slopes.

Material Grass Alternatives

When looking for a low-maintenance, drought-friendly landscape style, landscapers may suggest non-plant materials, like gravel or granite. 

Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is crushed rock that landscapers tamp into place to create a more stable walking surface. Compacted granite may not drain quickly, but it does look attractive in Mediterranean-style landscapes. When using decomposed granite, however, never run it all the way to your door. It can stick to your shoes and damage your home's flooring.

Gravel

Gravel is one of the most affordable and attractive lawn replacement options. Gravel comes in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes so you can choose the aesthetic that suits your property. Additionally, it is easy to replicate gravel to repeat the pattern elsewhere in your yard.

Another benefit of gravel is its ability to allow water to drain through it, reducing your risk of a flood during heavy rains.

Bark Mulch

If you work with a landscaping contractor, he or she may not suggest bark mulch in areas where you plan to have heavy foot traffic. However, it can become a striking addition to areas where you have shrubbery or other plants growing. If you have a few strategically placed plants, you can use open areas of bark mulch between them.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf looks like real grass from a distance. When you use artificial turf, you have no real maintenance associated with it. Synthetic grass looks beautiful all year round and still provides a cushion to walk through.

If you have children or pets, standard grass may have difficulty growing because of the constant wear and tear. Likewise, in hot environments or shady backyards, grass easily dies. Synthetic grass never dies and you never have to worry about mowing it.

Keep Your Lawn Low-Key Perfect With a Landscaping Contractor

When your law becomes overgrown or when it dies, it may feel like you failed as a homeowner. Like you, we understand the struggle that happens when you feel it's time to refinish your yard. In many cases, replacing the traditional lawn with plantlife that suits the ecosystem or turf that mimics grass can make the family's life easier. To find out more about how a landscaping contractor can help, schedule a consultation today.