Hey everyone! I'm on the hunt for some alternatives to traditional lawns that are low maintenance and suitable for foot traffic, especially since I have a small child who loves to play outside. I want to spend more time caring for my other plants instead of constantly mowing grass. While I won't consider astroturf, I have a large patio, and I'm not keen on using woodchip because I already plan to use that for paths in my garden, and I'd prefer to keep things green rather than brown. I've heard about options like chamomile and moss lawns, but I'm curious if they can handle being walked on as well as grass can. My garden faces east, with half getting full sun and the other half receiving partial shade, and we have heavy clay soil. My lawn isn't very big, so I'm open to suggestions, but I appreciate any ideas you all might have!
3 Answers
You might find it hard to avoid mowing completely. Grass just tends to hold up better against kids running around. If you really want something else, consider mixes like clover or yarrow, which are resilient and can stay green even in hot weather, but keep in mind you'll still need to mow occasionally.
I've actually sown clover into my lawn to help suppress the traditional grass, and I love it because it promotes biodiversity! For a different area, I’ve planted a mix of yarrow, primrose, and ox-eye daisies, and I let nasturtiums spread naturally since they self-seed. I still do need to mow (or strim) a couple of times a year, but it’s manageable!
Thanks for the info! This sounds like exactly what I'm after. How well does the primrose handle being walked on?
Most alternatives, like chamomile, thyme, and moss, require low traffic. Yarrow and clover are good options since they're deep-rooted and can stay green even in droughts, but beware—they still need mowing. Choosing the right species will be key for a lawn replacement.
I have some yarrow in a couple of meadows and was surprised how tall it gets! Are there specific lower-growing varieties? I’ll definitely look into different clover types, though!
I don’t mind mowing, it’s just the winter upkeep I dislike. It seems like my lawn always looks terrible post-winter, and I’m over the whole scarifying and aerating thing.