Waking up to a beautiful sunny day and walking in our yard on a lush green lawn is a wonderful feeling. Maintaining a lawn, on the other hand, is a significant impediment; you must devote time to its upkeep each week, and failure to do so may result in fines. Not to forget the environmental effects of having a lawn.
Every year in the USA, millions of gallons of fuel are wasted while pouring fuel into the lawn mower. Another major issue that lawns cause is excessive water consumption. A typical-sized lawn necessitates at least 12 gallons of water per week.
Choosing alternatives to a lawn proves very beneficial in multiple ways. Here are a few examples of affordable lawn alternatives that will help you make your yard look attractive.
Get a Potted Garden Instead
Who doesn’t like plants and greens? One of the best and most eco-friendly alternatives to a grassy lawn is getting a potted garden. There are numerous different themes that you can adapt to a potted garden. If you are someone who loves organic food, then a potted garden is the best way to grow your veggies and herbs. Imagine waking up every day and eating your fresh veggies. How healthy will that be?
Maintaining a potted garden is much more affordable as compared to maintaining a lawn. Trade in your lawn mower for a few pots and some gardening tools, and you are all set for a beautiful yard. You can choose brightly colored flowers such as pink and yellow for your pots and can have a cheerful welcome to your home.
Go For Gravel Instead Of Grass
If a potted garden sounds like too much for you to manage, then go for gravel instead. Gravel is the best alternative to grass in the backyard, which is affordable and yet looks very chic. The tiny stones look architectural, and when Argan Design does your landscaping, you won’t miss your old lawn even for a second. You can check our tropical landscaping designs here.
Go Rustic and Pick Mulch
If you are a fan of the fall season, then you will love to have mulch in your yard. Mulch is a grass alternative you can walk on easily and won’t even miss the grass. You won’t have to mow this regularly, and there will be near zero other maintenance involved with mulch. Cedar or pine bark chips make a really good organic option for mulch. If you have pets, however, make sure that the mulch you choose is not allergic or poisonous to them.
Use Artificial Lawn
If waking up to a lush green lawn has been your dream but putting in all the money and effort isn’t your thing, then go for fake grass that is artificial yet looks exactly like a real lawn. The best thing about this is that they will always stay green without having to water them ever. Modern types of artificial lawns are stain resistant and have excellent drainage as well. So it’s a win-win situation for you.
Create a Rock Garden
One of the best ways to replace grass is by getting a rock garden in your yard. Rocks create a beautiful mix of textures that look elegant throughout the year. When you carefully pick some colorful tiny flower plants and place them between the rocks, it will take your rock garden a step higher. These rock gardens will look great even when the plants dry up in the winter, and the boulders will add a touch of class to your yard.
Make It a Useable Space
If you have a large family or simply love spending time outdoors, then instead of picking up lawn alternatives, make your backyard space into an extended living space. Install a second outdoor kitchen or living space with patio furniture in your yard. You can even install barbecue grills and fire pits for those cozy wintery evenings.
Get a Moss Garden Instead
If you enjoy the greenery, then a lawn isn’t the only option you can choose. A moss garden makes for a better lawn alternative. It is sustainable and better for the planet as well. You can simply remove your lawn and install a moss carpet. When you get a moss lawn, you won’t have to worry about weeds or even have to invest time in watering, as moss rarely requires watering. Whatever your soil condition, be it good or bad, moss will grow well in either condition.
Use ornamental grass
If you are not ready to bid adieu to real grass, then install ornamental grass. Ornamental grasses come in countless varieties that homeowners can choose from. The long blades of this grass are ultra-low maintenance and require trimming only a few times each year. They look great and spectacular when you manage to do the landscaping perfectly.
Install Flower and Shrub Beds
Having a visual retreat to your home is a great idea. Installing flower beds doesn’t only become the center of attraction in our house; they also provide natural and free air purification. Not to forget the amazing fragrances that you will get from your flower bed.
You can choose native flower plants so that there will be very low maintenance involved in upkeep.
Get a Micro-Clover Lawn
A micro clover lawn has many benefits. When gardeners face the issue of non-fertile land, they install a clover patch in the garden. Soil cover doesn’t require much maintenance and when it is installed it provides nitrogen and other essential nutrients to the soil, making it more fertile. So, if your yard is suffering from a lack of fertility, you can try a clover patch for a while. We bet you will love clover so much that you won’t opt for a lawn again.
Install a Water Body
If greens make you mundane, then adding a body of water will make things interesting for you. Install a pond or a water fountain in your yard and see how magically it transforms the entire space. In the summer, you will see plenty of birds visiting your yard to drink water. Don’t bird visitors sound like a great perk for installing lawn alternatives?
Still unsure about which is the best alternative for your traditional lawn? Argan Design will help you choose the best options to make your yard become your sanctuary.