More and more homeowners are opting for more eco-friendly yards. There are several reasons for doing so. From eliminating the need for costly watering and ending the task of weekly mowing to more environmentally friendly reasons, now is a great time to swap out that traditional lawn for something a bit more hip and interesting.
You don’t have to have a lush lawn to maintain curb appeal. Going with an eco-friendly yard could turn your property into a real head-turner.
To explore what can be done to your lawn, reach out to the experts at Ware Landscaping lawn maintenance services. Their team of lawn care experts can help you decide on a variety of alternative lawn options.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Lawn Options
Imagine having a unique yard, something out of your wildest imagination. A place that may not require any mowing, one that you can let grow without much maintenance so that you can actually enjoy the space without any of the hassles of upkeep.
You can make this a reality by consulting with a landscaping professional who can open your mind to the many different options available other than traditional water-thirsty lawns. To get your creative juices flowing, here’s a look at some eco-friendly lawn alternatives. Each one is unique in its own way.
1. Ornamental Grasses
Although not practical to fill your entire yard with, planting large sections of ornamental grasses can severely reduce the amount of traditional grass on your property.
Most are easy to maintain, are drought-resistant, and don’t require any special care. Ornamentals are clump grasses, meaning they don’t put out horizontal roots, so they’re not invasive.
Ornamental Grasses great for the Midwest are:
- Fountaingrass
- Blue Fescue
- Switchgrass
2. Ground Covers
Ground covers are low-growing plants that can be used to replace grass, either in a section of the yard or every inch of it. It’s best to use a native species since they won’t require more water than what’s natural for the area.
Some, however, can be invasive, so it’s important to do a bit of research before making a decision. The best part about using ground-covering plants is that most never have to be mowed.
Some great ground cover choices for Illinois include:
- Creeping juniper
- Lily-turf
- Sedges
3. Wildflowers
A fun and colorful way to eliminate a large patch of grass is to turn it into a wildflower patch. These work best in sunny, low-traffic areas of your property, and after a bit of initial elbow grease to get them started, it’ll turn into a low-maintenance part of your property.
By planting native wildflowers, they typically won’t need to be watered, and they make great pollinators, keeping the local bee communities thriving.
Typical wildflowers that work great for yards are:
- Aster
- Goldenrod
- Daisies
4. Low-Growing Grasses
It is possible to still have a grassy lawn, which is still considered eco-friendly. All regions have a slow-growing grass variety that will thrive year after year.
Since they grow slowly and stay low to the ground, they rarely need to be mowed, which keeps your property’s carbon footprint much lower than traditional lawn grasses that require frequent mowing. Most are quite drought-tolerant, so there’s no need to keep them watered to stay green and lush.
Some low-growing grasses to consider are:
- Buffalograss
- Hard Fescue
- No-Mow Zoysia
5. Hardscapes
Homeowners with small yards can easily convert turf areas into an attractive and functional hardscape. To keep them eco-friendly, they can be built using recycled materials or even flat stones, paving tiles, or repurposed bricks. They obviously don’t need watering or mowing and can add an entertaining area to any yard.
Typical yard hardscapes can include:
- Patios
- Fire pits
- BBQ areas
6. Flower Beds
Flower beds aren’t just for home foundations or a secluded section of the yard. They can be utilized in much bigger ways. Large portions of a lawn can be converted into areas for growing both perennials and annuals, eating up a lot of the areas usually used for lawns.
Planting drought-resistant varieties will decrease your water consumption, and the large flower beds will eliminate a lot of the mowing of grass.
Alternative Lawn Options for Eco-Friendly Yards: Final Words
Whether you want to eliminate your lawn to lower your water consumption or you like the idea of not having to mow a lawn, switching over to an eco-friendly lawn alternative is a great idea. There are several valid options for converting over and getting rid of a traditional grass yard.
Some are easier than others, but in the long run, it will not only eliminate or minimize the need for mowing or watering, but you’ll be doing something important for the environment.
Contact a professional landscaper to discuss which options for an alternative lawn work best for your property. They’re the ones with the experience to know what will work best and how to implement the change.
Also read: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Dream Garden
