Stone or Sand. On the plus side, these low growing plants have a fascinating texture, are very kind to the environment and are a magnet to pollinating insects. Dutch White clover is a perennial, but acts as a reseeding annual in the Lower South. Mother-of-thyme (Thymus praecox) is a low creeping species.Thyme grows well in the sun or in shade, on slopes and through rock gardens. It is an excellent reseeder because it flowers from March through early May. Perfect grass alternatives for a front garden or for a sloping garden. Sweet woodruff is an edible herb, said to taste something like vanilla, and it gives … Here are some of the benefits of a natural lawn. For something with a little more interest and colour all year, it’s worth thinking about a thyme, camomile or “tapestry” lawn. You may want to consider whether it will affect the re-sale value of your home. Enviromat sedum matting was developed for use on commercial green roofs because it is so self-sufficient. Gravel is another alternative to grass lawn. Lawn Alternatives Uk. Perhaps thinking of planting combined with paths leading to open areas for seating and play is a better idea for many. Fourthly could be that the area is not a terribly good one in which to grow a grass lawn. Sedum plants are far more drought tolerant than lawn grasses and they’ll delight you all year round. Thirdly might be lack of space and too many demands on the lawn surface. Not forgetting the spiking and scarifying in spring. Whether it’s your own permaculture food forest of fruit trees, shrubs and herbs, or it’s a traditional veggie garden, growing your own food is so rewarding. There is no mowing and no clippings to dispose of. One of my favourite groundcovers is the amazing and beautiful kidney shaped leaves of the Dichondra repens! Hard Landscaping Alternatives to a Grass Lawn. And…you could get someone in to do these chores for you, of course. Whilst herb lawns, ground cover plants and moss give you visual space, they’re not really suitable surfaces for playing football on. See more ideas about lawn, lawn alternatives, plants. Is it time to consider lawn alternatives? Yet, even for us Brits maintaining a healthy grass lawn still represents a big investment of time, money and resources. Fed up with muddy kids? Increasing the size of the borders surrounding the new artificial surface might actually increase the overall biodiversity of your garden. Also known as the push lawn mower or hand lawn mower, it enabled many more homeowners to enjoy a green sward. Choosing the best lawn for your property requires an evaluation of its purpose, location, and environmental risks. There are many advantages for using these materials that include color and texture variety, availability, price range from inexpensive to high-end and durability. Weave a tapestry lawn. If this is one of your main reasons for not wanting a lawn, you’ll be heading down the route of alternative planting. If you opt for a wildflower lawn, you could mow paths through it to give it a more manicured look. Have a good mix of shrubs and herbaceous perennials to keep the maintenance easy and provide year-round interest. Will the lawn remain relatively undisturbed by traffic, or will it be an area where people play, work, or drive? You can’t beat living plants for the benefits they bring but if plants are not for you, a bark mulch surface is an OK no grass lawn alternative. Plants such as thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus or Thymus serpyllum), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, syn. How to Prune Hydrangeas. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Anthemis nobilis, particularly the cultivar ‘Treneague’) or clover make ideal lawn alternatives, although they would not be appropriate if your lawn receives heavy use (eg if you have children or a dog). These may or may not have plants. By Susan Harris Fine Gardening - Issue 132. These shade-loving plants offer subtle rather than bright colours. The joy of natural grass is that it works with nature to help us. Lay a herb lawn for a quiet seating area for adults. What are the alternatives to a grass lawn? Light soils are recommended (such as sandy loam), but avoid very dry, stony conditions, as a degree of moisture is necessary. Moss lawns – To create a moss lawn … On the downside, it will probably need topping up every 3-4 years but that’s still less work than mowing the lawn once a week! We used: Campanula poscharskyana, Veronica prostrata ‘Trehane’, Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’, Vinca minor, Prunella vulgaris, Mentha requienii. Lawn Alternatives: Food Garden. Why you might want to give up the grass. Firstly, there is the argument that lawns are not environmentally friendly. In this front yard landscape they used a stone pathway, and surrounded it with a mass planting of Mondo Grass. Groundcovers You Can Step On | High Country Gardens Blog | High country gardens, Lawn alternatives, Backyard grass alternative. Updated 08/07/2016. That they are a monoculture kept evergreen with chemicals and precious water. What Type of Decking Material is Best for Your Garden? We currently have clients in: -. Artificial lawns can get hot underfoot in the summer, as can paving. Woodchip makes a great play surface – and you won’t need to negotiate your way around toys with the lawn mower! Source: website. We are open for business as usual - See our Covid Statement for more information. Contact Form: Click Here, Plews is based in Southeast England, but covers all the UK. No turf lawn in sight…. modern lawn alternatives california google search. They should require less water and less … The beauty of a turf lawn has been admired for centuries, but really came into its own with the invention of the mechanical lawn mower in the 19th century. Another alternative for areas that aren't regularly walked on. But hopefully I’ve given you a few ideas to start thinking about which lawn alternative might suit your situation. It doesn’t flower but it is hardier for walking on and really low maintenance. Now, this IS an interesting idea. Compare initial outlay budget and ongoing care budget between your favourite options to a real lawn. Lawn Alternatives - YouTube. Whether you decide on paving, decking, pond, mini orchard, herb garden or an enticing mixture of all of these, it’s unlikely to be a quick fix. 10 Ground Covers for Shade. Bromley Natural products are always good for the environment. The best low-maintenance plants for easy lawn alternatives. This is more important if you’re planning to move fairly soon. It also appeals to a wide range of minibeasts and will attract the birds who feed upon them. 6 Flower carpet. Using bark or woodchip as a groundcover as a grass alternative. Lawns – is the Grass always Greener over the fence?What Type of Decking Material is Best for Your Garden?Inspiration for a Courtyard Herb Garden, Plews Garden Design One of the biggest gripes of lawn owners is the need for regular maintenance. Eco Lawns… Only patio paving is laid on an impermeable concrete base. Depending on where you live in the country and what type of yard you own, a number of lawn alternatives could serve you well along with the environment and your bank account. From David Morello on ‘Houzz‘, this is a great example of an easy lawn alternative. Use weed control membrane beneath it and be prepared to pluck out an occasional opportunist plant. Beckenham Enviromat prefers to be in full sun on well-drained soil. We look at a couple of alternative lawns grass lawn alternatives. Sweet Woodruff. London Stone-based materials do not attract bugs, don't … It might be. This solution is really interesting when you wish to mow the lawn less often (or no longer mow). Bark mulch drains well, nourishes soil microbes and makes a practical play surface for children and pets when used as a ground cover alternative to grass. This lawn alternative leaves you lots of options, from a carpet of moss, to decorative grasses, succulents and flowery ground cover. Besides shrinking your foodprint and saving you money, home-grown food just tastes so much better than anything you can buy. An open, sunny site is best for a chamomile lawn. Dutch white clover is often blended with lawn seed for its value as a natural fertilizer and because it grows well in poor clay subsoil common around new home construction. On areas which are used as walkways, alternatives to lawn are rather fragile. Or ask a garden designer to help you combine wildflowers with hard landscaping and/or planters for a contemporary look and feel. Previously they had used a scythe, hand shears or even sheep to keep the grass neatly trimmed. Wildflower matting reduces maintenance by around 90% AND its appearance is really rather beautiful. … Greenhouse Maintenance Tips for Novice Gardeners. Perfect grass alternatives for a front garden or for a sloping garden. Now, that’s given us a lot of alternatives to a grass lawn to think about. Sep 5, 2020 - Explore Gardening Know How's board "Lawn Substitutes", followed by 238930 people on Pinterest. Here in the UK, green and lush is one of the things we do best. Decking requires weed suppressant membrane. When it’s a time or resentment issue and there’s no-one else to care for the lawn (paid or unpaid) you may think an artificial surface is the answer. From a distance, the green-carpet’s effect is identical. BR3 4HD, Call us: 0203 7474 360 10 Plants for Year-round Containers. Natural products are always good for the environment. Decking requires weed suppressant membrane. Low-Maintenance Alternatives to Lawns When you've grown beyond your grass, replace your unused lawn with massed ground covers or a mix of low growers. Pot of blueberries. Allow Native Plants to Grow. If you do have a particularly wet area, then giving up on a lawn and going with the natural inclination of the land makes sense. Pruning Hydrangeas. DUTCH CLOVER. Lots of people opt for lawn as the obvious choice – it’s relatively cheap to install and it’s soft enough to lay on, or kids to play on. There is a wide range of stone types to choose from such as crushed granite, stone pebbles, river rocks, decomposed granite, pea gravel. A lack of grass lawn could be both a positive and a negative. With carefully chosen plants, you’ll find that the time spent on basic gardening chores is less than with a lawn. 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