How to Think About Grass Alternatives (Lawn Replacement)
Rather than mow the grass every Saturday morning, replace your lawn with a grass alternative. Lawns can be costly in both time and money regarding water, fertilizer and hiring a gardener, if you don't mow the grass yourself. There are other reasons, however, to consider an alternative to grass. For example, the climate you live in may be drought resistant and better suited for rock-garden landscaping -- or perhaps your family would prefer a pool instead of grass. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Talk to your family about various options for the space. Look into installing an inground pool for the kids, a barbecue for entertaining or a deck for relaxing. If your family plays a certain sport, such as basketball or tennis, put in a court.
-
2
Speak to your gardener about a flower garden. Ask for suggestions on what plants, shrubs, trees, flowers and bushes would work well in your yard. Request an itemized list of the costs to complete the transformation.
-
-
3
Plant your own food garden. Grow herbs, such as basil, spearmint, thyme and rosemary for cooking. Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and corn for fresh summer salads. Add trees, such as orange, lemon, lime, apple or avocado.
-
4
Walk around the neighborhood. Take pictures of the front of homes you admire. Examine the pictures to find the similarities. Use these similarities to create your alternate yardscape in the front or back of your home.
-
5
Design a water feature for the area. Plan a koi pond with a small bridge over it or a bench next to it for reflection. Set a fountain in a corner with a reading area under a shady tree.
-
6
Do a rock garden. Use large stones to create seating areas and smaller stones as ground cover. Mix cacti and desert plants around the area.
-
7
Create an outdoor room by adding a patio off the family room. Set up the area for outdoor entertaining with all-purpose furniture, a table for games and a fire pit to keep warm on chilly nights.
-
8
Ask friends for recommendations for landscape designers or outdoor construction planners for your area. Contact several of the recommendations and explain the transformation you want to achieve. Request an itemized bid.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use ferns and rushes for a plant garden.
References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
