Alternatives to a lawn

Less mowing, not using fertilisers and reduce water consumption, it is possible with plants which grow as low carpets. This appealing technic must be well thought to succeed, and this in all climates.

Alternatives to a lawn
A lawn without grass which does not require any mowing!

A lawn without grass
An alternative lawn does not contain any grass like classic lawns do, but botanically- different perennial plants which form a dense cover. From a distance, the green-carpet’s effect is identical. This solution is really interesting when you wish to mow the lawn less often (or no longer mow). On areas which are used as walkways, alternatives to lawn are rather fragile. Few plants withstand a regular stamping (several passages per day). Vary as far as possible the path you take on the cover. You can also install Japanese steps, those flat stones which show a few centimetres on the surface above the ground.

Alternatives to a lawn
A grassless lawn lends itself to the creation of cosy yet elegant settings.

Which plants?
All plants which grow as a cover of no more than 10 cm (low, ground- covering plants) can be used but the best ones are the ones which produce lots of suckers and cover large areas. The Rosemary Prostatus, CreepingThyme, Corsican Mint, Cotoneaster Horizontalis, Wild strawberries, Dwarf Juniperus (horizontalis), Creeping Baby’s Breath and a lot more can be used to that effect. In mixing them with low growing plants from the grass family such as the Festuca Scoparia ‘Gautierii’ and Blue Festuca, you can create a more decorative patchwork than a green cover, as interesting and colourful throughout the entire year. On a very stony soil, where rocks are showing on the surface it is even the only solution to get a cover in place of a lawn.

Alternatives to a lawn
When rocks are showing on the surface, lawn must be replaced by ground-covering plants.

A meticulous planting
Prepare the soil like you would for a flowering bed, removing all weeds. Planting is done as you would do in a classic border, keeping maximum spacing between the tufts. Depending on the varieties, you must expect to plant between 5 and 12 plants per m² in order to get a complete cover in 2 to 3 years. In the meantime, you have to weed to avoid weeds and other intruders establishing. Placing a layer of mulch on the bare parts will avoid weeds growing too easily. Also cut the growth which grow too high (on creeping subjects) so as to encourage a growth widthways rather than height way. A light, regular stamping on the entire surface (or passing a lawn-roller each month) helps the cover to establish the right way. There is no need to give fertilizer (except in very poor soil, if it is a backfill soil for example).

No lawnmower
An Alternative to lawn does not need mowing unless flowering stems have formed and need cutting when drying. Watering the first year encourages plants to establish quicker. Nevertheless, do not water the cover regularly or you risk making it water-dependant. Only moisten when the soil dries out 1cm in depth.

M. Jean-Michel GROULT
 
Pépinières PLANFOR
1950 Route de Cère
40090 UCHACQ - FRANCE
Tel : (020).7660.0178