9 Tips for Maintaining a Nontraditional Lawn

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There ’s nothing like the smell of freshly cut sens to make you think of warm summer days . But our compulsion with dead - manicure lawn is fading . With trend likeNo Mow Maygrowing in popularity and Mary Jane alternatives becoming more well - known , it seems that traditional lawns might be becoming a thing of the past .

But how do you care for a nontraditional lawn ? If you ’re opine about replacing some or all of your turfgrass with drought - kind options like pavers and crushed rock or colorful creeping thyme , know that your maintenance project will become less , but not nonexistent .

Aerial view of person mowing lawn

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Read on to find out what ’s involved with keeping up today ’s most popular lawn option .

1. Manage Hardscaping Runoff

Hardscaping is one of the most visually prominent replacements for grass . It ’s also one of the easiest to care for . “ If you want a streamlined , advanced , and depleted - maintenance yard , go for large , legato pavers in a light color , ” says Joy Aumann , Centennial State - founder ofLuxury SoCal Realty , lend that they can put up a luxuriant feel to any home landscape painting .

While attractive , one of the main challenge with hardscaping , particularly large slabs and pavers , is water overflow . If you ’re installing a patio , opt for permeable airfoil cloth and be sure to incorporate a crushed rock base to help with drain .

Another way to divert excess urine and prevent it from overwhelming storm drains is to add together plant . Strategic locating of aboriginal trees and bush among hardscaping can serve capture and dribble runoff , fill again the earth below , and provide shade .

Front yard hardscaping with plants

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2. Mow Clover Sparingly

Besides water conservation , one of the biggest perks of a nontraditional lawn is less sustainment . For exemplar , trefoil does n’t need to be mow as frequently as turfgrass . In fact , because white clover will only acquire to between 2 and 8 inches tall , you only want to mop it a couple of times a year to clip widow’s weeds , deadhead spent flowers , or to organise for wintertime . Otherwise , leave it aloneis actually one of the good things homeowners can do to maintain a level-headed lawn .

you could skip the fertilizer with a clover lawn , too , as the back harvest naturally introduces nitrogen to the soil . This avert have to reapply commercial fertilizers throughout the year — a necessary task for keep turfgrass immature — as well as the potential for contaminating local waterways when excess fertilizer ultimately lean off .

3. Replenish Organic Mulch

Organic mulchis another viable replacement for grass . It suppresses weed , hold back wet , and even supplies nutrients to the ground underneath . It ’s also soft to take the air on , something you do n’t get with hardscaping .

While it ’s certainly light to make out compare to a traditional lawn , there ’s still some maintenance to be done . Mulch can careen during spoiled weather , it may get sound off around by pets and guests , and it slowly decomposes into the ground . About once a year , you ’ll need to refill the material to prevent it from looking sparse .

4. Keep Thyme Contained

creep thymeis incredibly easy to grow and a vivacious option to traditional turfgrass . It needs full sun and well - draining soil to prosper and flower . It ’s drought tolerant and rarely — if ever — needs to be mowed , but it does take time to become build .

Creeping thyme is n’t consider invasive , meaning you’re able to grow it near other plant life without having to vex about push them out , but it does unfold quickly and may need to be cut from metre to meter to keep it within its assign arena . The best part of this minimum maintenance is that you could dry out what you harvest and use it to season food or make homemade redolence .

5. Tidy Gravel Edges

Gravel is an sympathetic ground cover version for modern outside aliveness areas , especially when paired with pavers or containers take with plant . There are several types that work well in nursing home landscape , include crush stone , river rocks , pea gravel , marble chips , lava rock , and eventumbled glass . ( Yes , it ’s potential to have a glass lawn ! )

Like mulch , gravel can slop over edging and be cunning to contain at times . A quick sweep will take guardianship of a few stray rocks , but installing taller borders can help provide a more permanent solution .

6. Reseed Wildflowers as Needed

turn your conventional lawn into a aboriginal wildflower garden not only helps conserve H2O , it also supportsimportant local pollinators . Depending on the kind you prefer , you may need to reseed every few years to ensure you get plenty of bloom rather than just long pasture . Many wild flower can be planted in spring , but in northern regions it ’s best to plant in autumn because cold winter temperature aid germination of many aboriginal seminal fluid .

For annual and biyearly plant , be sure to allowlate - bloomersto drop come before mop them back at the end of each grow season . lead clipping in place , but be sure to remove remnants of any weeds or unwanted metal money to prevent them from coming back next year .

7. Keep Moss Moist (at First)

Moss is another alone alternative to the ceremonious grass lawn . It retains moisture , provides nutrients to the soil and surrounding flora , and helps prevent erosion . It ’s also incredibly easy to set up — it does n’t even need to be planted , just pressed into the soil and secure with planting pins .

“ For moss to grow thick and luscious , it must be kept moist for the first 4 to 6 weeks while it establishes , ” say Matt Hagens , laminitis and primary author ofObsessed Lawn . “ Keep watering it until it does n’t rescind away from the soil when you softly draw it . After that period , it does n’t need regular lachrymation and will get most of its hydration from the surround aura . ”

8. Seldomly Sweep Artificial Turf

For those with severe allergy or limited mobility , artificial turf may be the perfect replacement for real Gunter Grass . Lawn tending for this choice is minimal , requiring only minor cleanup spot once in a while .

“ Artificial turf wo n’t spud weeds and does n’t ask replenish ; all it needs is a sweep to keep it appear its best , ” say Ryan Fitzgerald , owner ofRaleigh Realty . “ Use a severely - bristled encounter or outdoor vacuity to remove any dirt , fallen leafage , and debris , and you ’re quick for summer . ”

9. Pull Weeds by Hand

Although hardscaping and most living lawn alternatives inherently suppress weeds , it ’s still important to stay open-eyed and remove any plant that you do n’t want growing in your landscape painting before they spread .

Hand - pull is the most environmentally friendly option , of course , but also consider countenance some noninvasive “ weeds ” likedandelion raise in your landscapeto assistance defend bees and other ambrosia - loving pollinator that might expire by .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Clover lawn with garden tools

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Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . larn why we deliberate this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Mulching yard