Alternative Lawns

To some, they’re a source of pride and joy. To others, they’re a wasteful example of mankind’s will to subdue nature. But to most, they’re simply a familiar landscaping approach with practical applications. Lawns, love ‘em or hate ‘em, have played an integral role in the American landscape from the very beginning. Understandably so considering our British heritage, where an expansive green lawn stretching out from the manor was considered a status symbol for hundreds of years. But while settlers to the New World may have brought their landscaping ideals with them, they weren’t able to bring the moist, temperate climate of the British Isles which allowed those lawns to thrive almost effortlessly.

Do You Pass on Grass?

Which brings us to one of the biggest debates in landscaping today. In a time when water and resources are being stretched like never before, does the Great American lawn still have a place? Should it have a place? I believe the answer is yes to both questions, but not quite in the traditional sense. Like my music preferences in the 90s, we need to take a more alternative approach.

The Proper Role of Lawn

First, it’s important to understand the proper role of lawn in the landscape. The Utah-based Localscapes program does an excellent job defining the proper role of lawn and establishing standards for its use. Localscapes promotes a design concept known as “central open shape”. The central open shape creates the focal point of the landscape. Visually, it provides a rest for the eyes and helps a yard appear organized and well maintained. Beyond the visual aspects of the central open shape, there are practical reasons for having one. It’s where the action is! In other words, it’s the place in your yard that will see the most traffic. Whether it’s from children scampering, dogs fetching, a game of cornhole, or even a backyard wedding, the central open shape is the stage for all kinds of recreation.

While the central open shape isn’t required to be lawn, it makes sense whatever groundcover used balances durability with softness.

Tradition!

Traditionally, Kentucky bluegrass has been the groundcover of choice for the northern half the United States thanks to its dark green color, soft velvety texture, and unparalleled traffic tolerance. In the southern portion of the country warm-season turfgrasses such as bermudagrass, centipede grass, and St. Augustine are the main players. For decades this tradition has remained unchanged and unchallenged, a one-size-fits-all approach to residential lawns. In climates where these turfgrasses are ill-suited we alter our property to make them work, often with extensive irrigation systems, soil amendments, and other inputs.

Changing Attitudes

But the times they are a-changin’, and America is on the verge of an alternative lawn revolution. Drought has plagued the West for over 20 years now with no end in sight. Fertilizer costs are skyrocketing, and homeowners are becoming more aware of the environmental and financial impact of their traditional lawns. Wherever you are in your lawn philosophy, whatever side of the debate you find yourself, I say there’s a way to have your cake and eat it too. 

Take a walk with me as we explore these alternative groundcovers, starting with the most subtle and moving towards the more radical.

TWCA Certified Bluegrass

Our first stop brings us to a familiar looking patch of grass. At first glance there’s nothing alternative about it. It appears to be good ol’ Kentucky bluegrass. That’s because it is! However, this bluegrass has a secret. This is TWCA (Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance) certified bluegrass which has been bred to use up to 40% less water than traditional bluegrass varieties. If you’re not quite ready to move on from bluegrass or you have a situation that requires maximum traffic tolerance, this is the alternative for you.

Fescue to the Rescue

Next we have another patch of grass. Still nothing too out of the ordinary about it. Slightly finer in texture, maybe not as dark green as what you’re used to seeing. This is fine fescue, and it makes a great introduction to alternative lawns. You might call this a gateway groundcover – it was for me! Fine fescue is water-wise and has low input requirements but can struggle with heavy traffic. Also note the term “fine fescue” refers to four specific grasses: creeping red fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, and Chewings fescue. Hard and sheep are considered the most water efficient of the bunch.

Buffalograss

As we continue down the path, we again find more grass however it’s starting to look noticeably different. This is buffalograss, a warm-season native. Unlike cool-season species, buffalograss thrives during the hottest times of the year. It loves heat and remains green with as little as 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water a week, around 75% less than traditional lawns. Just keep in mind it will go dormant early in the fall and remain dormant late into the spring. Other drawbacks include reduced traffic tolerance, a lighter green color, and unsightly seed heads if left unmowed. Buffalograss has also suffered from supply shortages recently, making the seed difficult to find and expensive.

Native Cool-Season Grasses

Now we find ourselves on the very edge of grass groundcovers, where the known fades into experimental. This territory is dominated by the cool-season native grasses. It includes Idaho fescue, streambank wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, San Diego bentgrass, and a few others. These grasses have exceptional drought and heat tolerance, and as natives require little if any additional inputs. Much respect if your alternative lawn journey leads you here – you rebel.

Clover

The grasses have disappeared, and in their place a variety of short growing broadleaf plants have taken over. 

While broadleaf plants don’t have the same traffic tolerance as grasses, they do offer some unique benefits. Up first is the popular white Dutch clover and its smaller-leaved version, Microclover. While clover by itself doesn’t offer anything exceptional in the way of water savings, the real benefit is when it’s mixed with grass. Together, grass and clover form a lawn that’s more resilient than either plant by itself. What’s more, as a legume clover fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere and feeds it back to the surrounding grass, reducing the need for inputs and increasing overall vigor. It’s also resistant to dog urine, making it a great addition to a lawn shared with your furrier family members.

Yarrow

Further down the path we find a thick evergreen mat of fine, feathery foliage known as yarrow. Once established, yarrow lawns require no irrigation or additional inputs.

However, you will need to keep it mowed at around two inches to prevent the base of the plants from becoming woody. Yarrow lawns are still quite rare but worth experimenting with in small areas.

Other Broadleaf Groundcovers

Beyond yarrow, our path ends in an assortment of low, spreading groundcovers of various colors, textures, and growth habits. Thymes, sedums, and wildflowers expand outward like a patchwork quilt stretched across the landscape. The possibilities are near endless, only limited by your climate and imagination. Those that find themselves at this point on the alternative lawn path have little need for traffic tolerance and are instead motivated by a desire to live and let live – ditching their lawnmowers altogether and creating an oasis for pollinators, wildlife, and themselves.

The Road Less Travelled

There will always be some discomfort when deviating from tradition, but stepping out into the unknown can be exhilarating at the same time. Sure there’ll be challenges. You’ll have to delay the instant gratification of a cookie cutter sod lawn. You might have to deal with an ignorant neighbor, HOA, or even spouse. There may be new gardening skills to acquire or irrigation techniques to learn. You could fail your first attempt. But as Thomas Paine, one of my favorite rebels, once said: the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Have fun, good luck, and happy rebellion!