Some such as stonecrops are perfectly happy on dry stony slopes that would defeat any grass; some, like the mosses, actually prefer the damp shade under trees where grass … It also shows how contouring the land with bioswales traps rainwater and filters run-off before it reaches the aquifer. Pretend like you’re at the beach every day with a homemade sandpit in your backyard. Landscape artist Michael Gilkey is a big fan of container gardening, which refers to growing plants in pots, planters, urns, vessels and boxes, instead of in the ground. Dog Friendly Landscaping Without Grass. White Dwarf Clover. “Eliminating lawn mowers cuts down on noise and air pollution,” he says. eastx. Edibles in raised beds grow best from October through March. It’s a great natural outdoor experience for kids of all ages and will keep them busy for hours at a time. Though the … No Mowing, Fertilizing, or Watering – Creeping Charlie provides a truly hands-off alternative to persnickety turf grass. During the late winter or early spring months, Lily Turf can be sheared or mowed, which strengthens the plant for new growth and is a nice alternative to a traditional lawn. Alternatives to Grass – Mondo Grass From David Morello on ‘ Houzz ‘, this is a great example of an easy lawn alternative. Natural stone pavers like travertine and Philippine sandstone are good hardscaping materials. “Let’s say there’s an issue with tree roots or buried utilities,” he says. Ferns spread out beautifully, and foxtail ferns thrive in sun or shadow. It doesn’t have to mean [a lawn of] rocks and shells. If you have a shady backyard, a full-sun front yard might present the perfect growing conditions. It is the best low-maintenance alternative to grass. A xeriscape lawn can be as lush as a Rousseau painting.”. Saving money requires more than just finding a cheap, time-saving lawn alternative. Three types to consider include nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene. Irrigating with precious water and applying those chemicals are not only hard work; they’re hard on the environment. It just doesn’t have to be turf grass. The lawn care for real grass … She installed a drip irrigation system to keep everything watered. It’s great to have a place for kids to play and families to gather, but it doesn’t have to be only grass. Benhaven Farm will have its first open house on Nov. 1 and 2. It’s also beautiful. “The practice originated in the American Southwest, but it’s not limited to arid landscapes. Just take out a few pavers, fix the problem, then put them back in the exact same place.”. It’s all about using the right grass in the right area.”, 08/01/2019 But a new, no-mow movement is challenging this … Clover grows quickly, suppresses weeds, enriches the earth and aerates the soil with a deep root system. For example, in this backyard, the lawn … You can also replace grass with Florida native plants sunshine mimosa, perennial peanut and beach sunflower. To put down artificial grass on a 500-square-foot yard is $6,250 but only $185 for natural sod. Saving money requires more than just finding a cheap, time-saving lawn alternative. Just removing the lawn isn’t enough to turn your backyard into a showplace. Debbi Benedict has a green thumb, and her yard is proof. There are two types: perennial and annual. But turning that cultural status symbol into reality means an endless cycle of mowing, weeding, regular watering, and heavy doses of fertilizer and pesticides. To put down artificial grass on a 500-square-foot yard is $6,250 but only $185 for natural sod. As a landscape architect at ArtisTree, he’s a fan of hardy, low-maintenance grass alternatives. Stepables.com carries an impressive array of drought-tolerant groundcovers … Moss as a ground cover is the perfect solution for shady lawns as well as lawns with poor soil. There are several plant types that make good replacements for turfgrass: Groundcovers such as vinca, common … Switching out some of your lawn to the grass alternatives below can minimize its impact, as can watering wisely, skipping the fertilizer, and mowing less often. So, if you’re interested in growing your own alternatives to grass… Moss grows very well with other perennials that thrive in the shade such as hostas, trilliums and ferns. “We get so much rain in Florida, Mother Nature usually washes it off for you. These plants thrive in sandy soil where grass barely survives. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). By Su Byron and Marty Fugate 10/1/2019 at 1:11pm … The … “The new materials are stronger, more resilient, pet-friendly and kid-friendly. We recommend our users to update the browser. Once the root system is established, the plant is drought tolerant. The material has the same look and texture as natural grass. If your yard is in a shade or you have parts of it that are shaded, moss is a great option for you. 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Su Byron and Marty Fugate The yard demonstrates the use of hardy, Florida-natives and intelligent water conservation. The layer method (also known as “lawn lasagna”) smothers rather than removes the grass. Alternatives to grass? In this front yard landscape they used a stone pathway, and surrounded it with a … For beginners, she recommends starting with mulberry, papaya, carambola, Barbados cherry and mango. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/alternatives-to-grass-lawns Wildflowers are available as a mixture of assorted seeds or as individual plants. If your lawn area is not a high-use part of your yard, there are several varieties of clover that make an excellent alternative to a grass lawn. Moss. Turf tends to be happier when it can get some sunlight versus being stuck in the shadows of shade. See more ideas about Grass alternative, Backyard, Backyard landscaping. You can buy buffalo grass as seed or in plugs by special order at many local nurseries. A lush, healthy lawn is visually appealing, welcoming, and can add to the value of a home or business. But there’s a sustainable model that works for you. It’s a great natural outdoor experience for kids of all ages and will keep them busy for hours at a time. Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. “If the problem’s under concrete, you have to rip it out, and that’s a pain. Make a meadow. Before you rip out the grass and sell your lawn mower, know what you’re doing. “Our region has a wide range of variables, from soil to salinity to alkalinity to available sunlight. You don’t have to get rid of all of your lawn to greatly reduce the impact of your yard. More Sustainable (and Beautiful) Alternatives to a Grass Lawn Manicured turf grass lawns cover up to 50 million acres of land in America. “Grass is a great filter, and it makes for a beautiful lawn with proper care. Anna Maria landscape designer Michael Miller has been using 250 Sand—a specific mix of shell and sand from local mines—for decades on residential and commercial properties on the barrier islands. Choose the right type of ground cover for your area, keeping in … 5. Gravel. “It’s not your granddad’s AstroTurf,” says Ed Wooster of Eco Turf. Create an oasis in the front or backyard and eliminate the need for grass by designing a landscape that uses mostly hardscape features, such as a deck, patio, koi pond, water features, an outdoor kitchen or a fire pit. Ceramic pots filled with yellow creeping Jenny, blue spiderwort and variegated grasses. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! This combination adds a touch of interest and beauty to the landscape while reducing soil erosion and the amount of time needed for maintaining a grassy lawn. The materials it is made of include colored nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene. And don’t forget that herbs and edibles flourish in containers: parsley, thyme, cilantro and Everglades tomatoes provide greenery and groceries. Alternatives To Grass In Your Backyard: TOP Lawn Replacement Options. People tend to overkill when it comes to water, fertilizer and chemicals. A strategically placed spigot near a doorway or natural fiber doormats will do the trick. A living lawn that requires lots of water and chemicals, or artificial turf that requires no watering or fertilizing, but is made from plastic? For real-world examples of grass-free lawns, take a drive to the nonprofit Florida House Institute in Sarasota, which showcases container gardening, edible gardening and alternate groundcovers. In Florida, a turf grass lawn is under constant siege. Which is more eco-friendly in Florida? But here we’re talking about ground covers and alternatives to this grass, not a bunch of fiddle and banjo players jamming in your backyard.. But pavers make it easy. Ready to get started? By Visit debbibenedict.com. You can plant an all-clover lawn with Dutch white clover, or use microclover for a low-growing green carpet. (For the most part, you need six to eight hours of sun a day for crops like tomatoes, … Patio. Dwarf cinquefoil can take more foot traffic than the other lawn alternatives I’ve planted, but it still can’t handle any soccer games. If we can grow it, so can you.”. Seriously, you could plant your Creeping Charlie bed and never … This means that you do not have... 2. Backyard landscaping ideas needed. By Su Byron and Marty Fugate 10/1/2019 at … Moss does not produce flowers, seeds or establish true roots. Photography by The good news is, you can still have the best yard on the block. Some of them are ornamental grasses, groundcovers, clovers, or creeping … A groundcover that thrives on the barrier islands might shrivel east of I-75. But turf is OK, if it’s used in a responsible way. An eco-friendly path of made of local 250 Sand. 250 Sand is inexpensive, self-compacting (so it doesn’t wash away) and allows for perfect drainage. 4. The trick is planting a groundcover that will thrive in your yard. “That means conserving water by using efficient arrangements of native, drought-resistant plants,” he says. Small trees like the lady palm can also thrive in large pots and provide variety in height. She calls it “, Want to see this slice of paradise up close? To create her garden, Benedict got rid of most of the grass and instead has two feet of mulch on top of the soil with shell paths running through the property. The delicately veined fittonia (foreground) grows to a height of six inches; the bright green foxtail fern (background) is a good border plant. This one has a rock streambed as the centerpiece, with low-water perennials flanking and overflowing its sides. Whether you’re tired of mowing the lawn constantly or simply want a different look and feel to your outdoor space, grass alternatives … Alternatives to grass: 11 no-mow ideas for your garden 1. Clinton Lak prefers groundcover. It is the best low-maintenance alternative to grass. “You’d be surprised how much you can grow in a 12-foot-by-12-foot area,” Gilkey says. Visions of flowers blooming and gently bending in the breeze evokes an atmosphere of peace and serenity. The one that is right for you will depend on your lifestyle and where you live. “There’s no single Florida climate,” Lak explains. 1. It is a cover-like mat of stems and leaves, which absorbs nutrients and water. A rock garden can be an attractive alternative to a grass lawn. Check out these 12 inspiring flower bed designs. I think the problem isn’t grass itself, but how we deal with it. We're not talking about the clover that's taking over your lawn, we're talking about a larger flowering variety that is far more at home in your garden. 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Flowering plants like salvia are great candidates. Container gardening wastes far less water and doesn’t create runoff that pollutes our bay and Gulf. The amount of traffic the lawn receives will help determine the type of material best suited for your home. Hello-I have a tiny foursquare house on an oversized lot. Lak also likes hardy out-of-state upstarts like Japanese sweet flag, Asian star jasmine and creeping herbs like thyme and oregano. Lawn & Garden; Goodbye Grass: 13 Inspiring Ideas for a "No Mow" Backyard Americans love our lawns but let's face it: Creating a perfectly manicured yard is time-consuming. And for those who don’t mind a little sand between their toes, sand paths, or entire sand yards with paver paths, are porous, eco-friendly and replicate our original coastal environment. Gravel is an ideal lawn alternative… Switching to one of these four lawn alternatives will give you landscaping that’s greener and stands out from your neighbors’ properties. Published in the October 2019 issue of 3. Benhaven Farm will have its first open house on Nov. 1 and 2. Herb Garden. Shop smart, and these alternatives could be far cheaper than your current lawn care arrangement. What are alternatives to grass? But the fake grass is free from expenses for 15-25 years. We'll show you how to build a low-maintenance water feature in your backyard. The materials it is made of include colored nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene. You need to think about how you want to use the space and build the landscape around your family’s needs. In a small lot, they can be the whole show. 10/1/2019 at 1:11pm Are Snowbirds Flocking to Florida This Year? The jury’s still out, but technology is making artificial grass a more acceptable option. Just removing the lawn isn’t enough to turn your backyard into a showplace. There are lots of different alternatives to grass in backyard areas. Wooster adds that artificial turf is also good for ears and air. Then you surround it with another plant that cascades around the rim. And about those sandy feet? While annual meadows need a rich soil base, perennial meadows do well in poor soil. “Shell Lock has a fantastic line of shell-embedded pavers, perfect for courtyards and paths near beach homes and the new generation of modernist architecture.”, Davie also likes the flexibility of pavers. For. Place eight overlapping layers of newspaper or one layer of cardboard over the area you want to remove, then … We offer a regional application of xeriscaping principles. Clover is an easy-to-care-for lawn alternative that’s often planted as a green cover crop to fix nitrogen in the soil, but it can also act as an ideal eco-friendly landscaping option. For annuals, plant petunias, which offer a splash of color in winter. Steve Nielsen, a landscape designer and president of Critter Ridge Landscaping Company, says we shouldn’t demonize turf grass, which is a porous groundcover that helps to cool the environment and is good for some beneficial insects, too. Fortunately, the horticultural gurus at Sarasota County’s UF/IFAS Extension can help with Florida- friendly landscaping. You need to think about how you want to use the space and build the landscape around your family’s needs. North American backyards have one main point in common – Kentucky blue grass. Sep 23, 2018 - Explore Ann Charlton's board "Grass alternative" on Pinterest. But while grass is the most common choice, it’s not necessarily the best. In my 1,000-square-foot backyard, I planted golden carpet sedum ( Sedum acre , Zones 3–8, top left photo, facing page), a creeping variety that is only 4 inches tall. "There are any number of low-growing perennials that can be a great stand-in for lawn," says Yost. 1. You can choose if you want a smoother texture or something that is more like grass. “High porosity pavers are great in heavily trafficked areas; water can go back in the soil instead of washing out,” says Robert Davie of Robert Davie & Associates Landscape Design. Lawns are expensive, environmentally unfriendly and, for households with dogs, tough to keep green and lush. But here we’re talking about ground covers and alternatives to this grass, not a bunch of fiddle and banjo players jamming in your backyard. Blink, and the weeds have taken over. It thrives in USDA Zones 6-10. “I’m fond of a concept called ‘show and flow,’” he says. They’re all eco-friendly. 14 years ago. Muhly grass and other Florida-native grasses are quite beautiful.”. Taller flowers and shrubs can be used, as well, as a backdrop to the shorter plants. The other two most of the other two ingredients for growing moss are moisture, a meadow can be by. 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