On a recent trip to Encinitas, California, I took a walk around the neighborhood and spotted this front yard landscape:
There’s no grass anywhere–which I think is a sign of the times. In my area of central Texas, we’re experiencing unprecedented drought and heat, and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up anytime soon. I know many of us are tied to the lush look of a broad expanse of lawn, particularly in the front yard, but it’s time to start thinking of alternatives.
Keep in mind that this is one look that is an alternative to the traditional lawn–I actually love the more arid, “desert” look, but I understand that this style issn’t for everyone. The important thing is to use native plants that work in your area to reduce the need for watering, and to consider other topdressings such as mulch and various kinds of rock.
This particular example is done well–there’s an arroyo that snakes diagonally through the yard, strategically placed rocks and plants nestled together. These groupings make sense, and it’s what you’d see in nature. If you want to try a style like this, keep in mind that Mother Nature doesn’t space rocks out evenly so that it looks like a minefield, and that She places plants and rocks so that they have a relationship to one another. Study pics like this one so your eye can see what works–then you’ll be more successful in creating a similar look in your yard.
I’m curious as to how many of you have already torn out your grass. What have you replaced it with? Have you noticed a decrease in your water bill? How’s the maintenance? What do your neighbors think? Inquiring minds want to know!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a pine straw backyard for the most part and I love it!
The example you show is typical in the desert SW – naturalistic. I encourage people to design in familiar styles or with their preferences, but with the architecture. One could use the same plants, but arranged differently, to connotate a formal, axial, etc layout. Been doing this 20+ years, and I think I’ve only designed lawn into <5% of my projects…still too much naturalistic. Trying to branch out from that. Glad to see you Bevo-ites tackle the topic!
Caution…San Diego and Mediterranean climes have more evergreen groundcovers to pull this off than most places I've seen. So, perhaps more limiting elsewhere.
For those unfamiliar, the Wildflower Center has (3) excellent gardens using the same native plant species…but with formal, informal & natural designs. But w/ buffalograss turf. Imagine doing those 3 themes without any buffalograss…
Thanks for the tips in this post. We live north of Encinitas and might be renting out our house starting this summer. Removing the grass just makes sense. I have succulents and cacti growing all over in pots so maybe it won’t be that daunting to take on a project like this. What is the easiest way to remove the grass? Dig it up or cover it? Thanks a bunch
Hi Cindy! Digging it out is a LOT of work, and covering it up is unsightly for awhile but it really does work. Scalp the lawn down, water it then lay down black plastic tarps (I’ve also used cut-open trash bags). Secure w/landscape pins or rocks and leave it there for a couple of months. This will sterilize your yard, kill all the weeds and grass and give you a blank slate–but it works better when it’s a little warm outside so the sun does its job. Looks bad for awhile but really works!
This is so cool! I want to take out my lawn and plant edibles instead!
I moved to Austin in 2009 from Brooklyn, NYC. Never had a garden or a lawn. Removed the grass immediately and replaced it with river rocks. Some things are just apparent when a Yankee moves down south.
Sorry but I don’t like it. I think it looks like there is trash in the yard. We have a house that did that in the neighborhood and it looks horrible next to the other yards. Maybe it would be okay if it were the overall theme of all yards. Why would you want your yard to look like Arizona in Texas? Just my opinion.
Adde, my parents were from Brooklyn, too! Chrissy, like I said, this look is not for everyone, so you have to make the choices that work best for your house, neighborhood and region. But in Texas, if this drought continues, the City of Austin is looking at Phase 3 Water Restrictions–which means no watering at all, even with a hose. So we may have to start looking at options like this in the future.
Looks good – just needs a couple of grasses for some texture and movement, a little more color, and I’d probably stick with mulch. I agree this theme will become more popular. I think you can still keep it ‘lush’ looking and waterwise though without going with a desert theme. Think “Texas cottage garden.”
I’d add grasses, too, Matt! My favorite is Mexican feather grass, although I know in California it’s considered invasive.
I am in the Texas Panhandle and we just decided today that we are not going to spend anymore money on weed killer, fertilizer etc. plus all the water we use to have a nice lawn. Not to mention how tired we are of mowing the lawn. I would rather spend the time caring for some edibles and plants. I am so ready for some zero scaping. No one in our area does this, so I am sure they will think we are crazy, but I really don’t care. It couldn’t look any worse than the people who don’t care for their lawns and spread weed seeds all around the neighborhood. Now I just need to decide if I want some type of rock, or mulch. It is very windy here so rock would be better. Any suggestions?
Good for you, Debra! If you plan it carefully, it shouldn’t look bad at all–many grass-less yards are quite beautiful and don’t need to be all cactus. How about a combination of rock and mulch? Things to consider: when using mulch, choose the shredded variety so it will interlock and not float away. And with rock, if you are dealing with a slope or have potential for heavy downpours in your area, choose rock that is at least 1″ in diameter–any smaller and it will wash out with rain. Good luck to you!
I also live in the Texas Panhandle and would like to get rid of the grass and it’s associated work, water, & $$$ requirements. However, I have tried using rocks, in the back yard with the black mesh fabric underneath. I found that in just a very short time the winds will have blown in a lot of dirt and along with that weed seeds. These seeds germinate and then I’m back to the usual weeds to remove. I also would welcome any ideas.
I have torn mine out and have finished one side already with pea gravel, a short palm and edged it with bricks and red rubber mulch and some semi tropical plants. I like the idea of not having to deal with mowing all the time, it makes a mess and it’s hard to get the mower around all the bushes and trees I have out there. It was about$500 to do it though. I will do the other side soon.
you do have to use a good weed blocking fabric and keep spraying weed and grass killer here in florida where everything grows like crazy.
I’m so ready to get rid of this lawn – I am inland Los Angeles, what is everyone doing with the sod once they remove it? Are they trashing it or putting it in the yard waste bin? Do people recycle the sod into mulch?