Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens

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When you think about what makes someone’s front yard really pop, you may envision a luscious lawn free of weeds, clover and crabgrass. However, that’s not the only option you have for making your front lawn the envy of the neighborhood. There are some awesome lawn alternatives that look spectacular and are also eco-friendly!

The best part about these lawn alternatives is that they can also boost curb appeal in colder months. 

Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens

Groundcovers

As the name suggests, groundcover spreads across the ground and doesn’t grow tall. You won’t have to worry about mowing it, and you also won’t have to worry about it being overrun by weeds (they can actually smother the weeds!) 

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When choosing a groundcover, you’ll need to consider your climate and how much sun your space gets. Some groundcovers that do well in hot and dry climates include lantana or stonecrop succulents. If you have a shady yard, you could plant wild ginger, bunchberry, and yellow archangel to name a few.

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses can grow in sunny areas and don’t require much water (and little to no fertilizer!). These plants grow in large clumps of willowy tufts that look amazing when the wind blows through them. The key to choosing ornamental grass is selecting a variety native to your area. 

To care for the grasses, you’ll want to use a sprinkler system on a timer so the plants get enough water to get the seeds growing. Once the plant seeds have sprouted and the area is filled in, you’ll want to trim the grass and reduce the amount of water the plants get. 

Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens

Evergreen Moss

Evergreen moss is a great option for those who love to walk outside with bare feet—it’s like a soft carpet that only Mother Nature can create! Evergreen moss stays green year-round and doesn’t require a lot of care. You don’t have to worry about mowing, weeding, watering or fertilizing it. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about pests either!

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There are many varieties of moss that work great as ground cover. Pleurocarp varieties are good options if you want a thick “carpet” whereas acrocarp varieties tend to grow in nice-looking clumps. 

Native Perennial Flower Beds

Have you ever driven by a field where there are wildflowers as far as the eye can see? You can achieve this in your own yard with native perennial beds. These plants will thrive in your area and provide a welcoming habitat and source of food for native birds, butterflies and bees. 

Check with your local garden center to find out which plants and flowers are native to the area. If you don’t have a green thumb and prefer something that’s low maintenance, ask for plants that don’t have to be pruned or require stakes for support. 

Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens

Artificial Turf

In some situations, you may not want to use living flora as a lawn alternative. Artificial turf is often a practical option. AstroTurf doesn’t have to be mowed, watered, weeded, or anything else! All you have to do is make a plan for where you’d like to use it and “plant” it. As there’s a variety of artificial turf options, you have a lot of lawn alternatives to choose from. 

Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens

Achieve Curb Appeal With Sustainable Lawn Alternatives

Having an enviable lawn is a nice goal, but traditional lawns can be a drain on resources. You can boost your property’s curb appeal with simple lawn alternatives. Not only are sustainable lawn alternatives eco-friendly, but they could also increase the value of your property depending on your region. You can use a net proceeds calculator to see just how much the lawn alternatives (and all of your other upgrades) can increase property value. You might be pleasantly surprised!