I love a well kept natural lawn, but I appreciate that it’s not everyone’s first choice of landscaping material. Whilst lawn turf is by far the most cost-effective surface for a garden, it does need more maintenance than, say paving, to keep it looking pristine. So what are the alternatives to grass lawns? Keep reading for some suggestions.
Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is definitely falling out of favour in garden design circles. Whilst it’s not particularly environmentally friendly, it is reasonably low maintenance. The tip with artificial grass is to install it properly. It needs a strong sub-base (similar to a patio) and should be carefully secured around joints and edges.
Wild Flower Turf
A mixture of low growing wild flowers and grasses offers a wealth of environmental benefits and it can look amazing. If you have young children, they can learn so much from watching flowers develop and seeing insects and birds foraging on the lawn.
Species rich turf (or grass seed mixes) tend to be slow growing and only need cutting once every 2-3 weeks.
Gravel Gardens
If grass lawns don’t grow well in your garden and you want a neat aesthetic, a thick gravel mulch could makes a great alternative to a grass lawn.
Add ornamental grasses, herbs and mediterranean type plants for a beach themed garden. Or go formal with tightly clipped hedges. If you want to keep your traditional beds and borders, make sure you have some kind of edging. Otherwise the gravel and soil will mix together and eventually spoil the aesthetic of each area.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that gravel gardens are low maintenance though - they do need weeding from time to time.
Decking As An Alternative To Grass Paths
If you like the natural look, but don’t enjoy grassy paths turning to mud, decking makes a great substitute. Using composite decking on an aluminium sub-base will mean it needs virtually no maintenance other than an occasional brush down. For evenings, some recessed lighting will make your path feel safe and inviting.
Paving
Paving and brick weave are both excellent alternatives to grass lawns. Provided of course, that they are well installed.
The one thing that grass lawns do and hard landscaping cannot - is absorb rainwater. So if you choose to substitute natural grass for stone, porcelain or clay pavers, be sure to hire a landscaper who knows how to manage falls and drainage issues.
If possible, it’s also a good idea to leave plenty of planting pockets in and around your paving. Paving absorbs and stores heat from the sun and can make an area feel quite hot. Plants help to counteract the heat by releasing water vapour from their leaves to cool an area.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a gardener, it’s important that your garden design includes planting. A tree or two, some raised beds, herbs growing between pavers, green walls or climbing plants, even pond plants in your water feature. They’re crucial to the health of the planet and to your personal wellbeing.
Your Ideas For Alternatives To Grass Lawns
I’ve listed just a few recommendations for alternatives to grass lawns but you may have some suggestions of your own. Feel free to contact me to discuss your ideas, I can help you find the right landscaping materials for your lifestyle and your desired aesthetic.
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