

Even culinary thyme can spread to cover a bare spot and emit its unique fragrance. A German chamomile lawn will reach nearly 2 feet high and fill with daisy-like flowers.
Blue stem grass seed near me full#
Sweet woodruff creates a dense mat of lightly scented leaves that become more aromatic when dried it grows to about 6 to 12 inches high.Īnother herb favorite for ground cover is Corsican mint, which grows almost at ground level and handles full sun to part shade in zones 6 through 9 its leaves create the flavor in crème de menthe. Greek oregano is cold-hardy to nearly zone 5A, spreads well, reaches at least 6 inches high, and tastes delicious on pizza. Take time to research those that are edible and grow in your area for a lawn-turned-herb-garden. Home chefs, why not replace your grass with some ground covers that double as kitchen staples and pollinator magnets? Many of the plants in this list are herbs and can spread prolifically (sometimes too much, in the case of mint). Reducing the amount of grass on your property, especially where it doesn’t grow as well (like under trees).Keeping appropriate use of grass lawns, like the areas where the kids play, helps cool patios and the house.Removing grass in corners of the lawn, or awkwardly shaped areas that are difficult to water and mow.Evaluating whether your turf is made of high-water-use grass mixes.Taking out narrow strips of grass, especially in “nuisance strips” near the sidewalk.Removing turf areas on slopes, where water runs off.Thinking about replacing your grass lawn? Here are small steps you can take to get started: When you think about lowering water usage and lawn care, start with these steps before perusing the easy-care lawn alternatives that follow. But lawns that include too much grass, the wrong type of grass, or grass in a bad spot require more water and maintenance than is sustainable. It doesn’t mean pulling out all the grass and replacing it with gravel.

Just beware of a big misconception about xeriscaping: It means making landscapes more waterwise and appropriate for the local environment. With drought patterns changing and water shortages a reality, even in American cities, we all could adopt some of the Southwest’s xeriscaping principles to do our part for the environment and our monthly water bills. Why You Should Consider Sustainable Lawn Alternativesĭepending on where you live, 30 percent to 50 percent of your household water use goes to turf and other landscaping. Some of the most luxurious, green, and well-designed yards you’ve ever seen don’t have a single blade of grass, and are super easy to maintain. If you’ve got the itch to ditch your grass, we’ve got plenty of grass replacement options other than artificial grass.
