Natural grass requires a lot of work, so some property owners opt to cut down on the amount of natural grass in their lawn by:
- Removing some of the grass to reduce mowing
- Adding more trees for year-round shade
- Building gardens using native plants
- Adding a carpet of moss
While some property owners only want to reduce the amount of natural grass occupying their lawns, others desire to raze their natural grass completely in favor of other landscaping options. Some do it to make their lives easier; others to give them more room to express their personality and creativity.
If you are looking to replace your lawn, the following natural grass rundown is perfect for you.
Our favorite options to shift away from a natural grass lawn include:
- Xeriscaping – a landscaping and gardening technique in a style that requires little to no irrigation
- Garden Beds – adding 3-4 ft. wide beds of soil generally enclosed by a frame
- Artificial Turf – a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass
Each option comes with its own pros and cons which we’ll discuss here.
Xeriscaping Pros
- Xeriscaping is great for areas that don’t have easy access to or a plentiful supply of fresh water. These climates are typically naturally warm and dry.
- Xeriscaping is also an alternative to traditional gardening and is perfect for water conservation efforts.
- Once built, a xeriscaped area is very low maintenance and costs less in upkeep than other methods of lawn replacements.
Xeriscaping Cons
- Xeriscaping can take quite a bit of time to properly plan out because it needs to be specific to your area, using local, naturally occurring plant life.
- Public perception of xeriscaping is also somewhat negative because many people assume that these areas are just made up of ugly cacti and gravel. However, this is not true because other plants can be grown in a well-planned
- xeriscape. These can still help towards your water conservation efforts.
Garden Bed Pros
- Garden beds extend the season for gardening and can help control weeds if well-designed with carefully chosen plants.
- Garden beds can also be helpful in controlling erosion and conserving water if planted along natural sloped yards.
- Garden beds reduce the need to use native soil that may be lacking in resources for your plants.
Garden Bed Cons
- You must choose your garden bed materials carefully depending on what you plan to grow. Some materials commonly used for garden beds can contain chemicals that prove harmful to potential plants.
Artificial Turf Pros
- Artificial turf is low maintenance and stands up to heavy use, such as playing sports.
- Artificial turf requires no trimming or irrigation.
- Artificial turf does not have to be replaced for several years.
Artificial Turf Cons
- Artificial turf is costly up front.
- Artificial turf has a limited lifetime (20 – 25 years).
- It also requires periodic cleaning to remove leaves or other debris.
Now that you know the facts about alternatives to natural grass landscapes, go forth with your favorite option for a lawn you’ll love now and in years to come!
Feel free to contact us here if you have any question about anything!
