Lawns continue to be one of the most time consuming aspects of landscape maintenance.  Mowing, edging, aerating and fertilizing are just a few of the items that are required to maintain a lawn.  Additionally lawns continue to be one of the highest water consumers within the landscape and can pollute the environment with runoff from fertilizers and pesticides.  Below is a list of some lawn alternatives that can be utilized to reduce the maintenance, water use, and environmental impact in your landscape.    

California Native Meadow

  • Meadows, when planted with California native grasses and perennials, can be low maintenance with low water requirements.
  • Utilize native bunchgrasses such as Festuca idahoensis, Festuca ‘Tomales Bay’, Koeleria macrantha and some native Carex’s because they require less irrigation and less frequent mowing than most other native grasses.  Also, they allow more opportunity for native flowering perennials to establish because they grow as bunches rather than with runners that spread.
  • Give the meadow at least a year to grow in and then start introducing perennial flowers.  Some great options include: Iris douglasiana, Achillea millifolium, Lupinus albifrons, and Sisyrinchium bellum.
  • The meadow will only need to be cut back once a year.  Bunchgrasses should be cut back to 2 to 4 inches in the late summer or fall and then deeply irrigated to allow them to reestablish faster.
  • Carex praegracilis is a California native sedge that can be used for a grassy meadow.  It withstands foot traffic, requires little water, needs no fertilizer, and can handle either sunny or shady conditions.  See www.nativeson.com/pdf/carexcrd.pdf for more information about Carex praegracilis.

Groundcover

  • Groundcover plants which grow within 6” to the ground can require little to no maintenance once they have grown in.  Taller varieties may take more time because they can require some pruning.  Choose groundcovers for their drought tolerance, density, and spread.  Those with higher density and wider spread will help to keep weeds under control.

Edible Garden

  • Mixing perennial flowers and shrubs with edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs can create a low maintenance, attractive landscape that can be enjoyed not only for its beauty but also for its bounty.
  • Reduce water use by utilizing drip irrigation and by choosing drought tolerant plants with similar water requirements.

Drought Tolerant Flower and Shrub Beds

  • Flower and shrub beds can be strategically located within the landscape to add color and interest to your garden.
  • Choose low water requiring plants, utilize drip irrigation to decrease water use and water for longer periods of time and less often to encourage deep root systems.
  • Utilize native plants and other low maintenance perennials and shrubs that require little to no pruning, dividing, staking or fertilizing.
  • Spread mulch around the base of the plants, and to cover bare ground in between plants to help reduce evaporation from the soil.

Hardscape Surfaces

  • Create a patio of flagstone, pavers, brick, or other surfaces to replace lawns.  This will greatly reduce water, maintenance, fertilizer and pesticide use in the landscape as well as create an inviting and relaxing sitting area to enjoy.
  • Build plant beds around the outside or place potted plants strategically on the patio. This can greatly increase the aesthetics of the sitting area.