Who knew lawns could be troublemakers? They may seem harmless at first, but these green patches can actually wreak havoc on the environment. Maintaining them means using loads of water, fertilizers, and pesticides that harm our buzzing buddies, the bees. And what do you get in return?
Well, not much. Lawns aren’t exactly functional or beneficial to animals or humans. Basically, they take up valuable space that could be used to grow flowers, berries, herbs, and vegetables. Want to add some variety to your front yard and make it more eco-friendly? Then keep reading to find out how to go about it!
Removing the Lawn
If you’re ready to kick that high-maintenance lawn to the curb, let’s talk solutions. The easiest way to bid it farewell is good ol’ manual labor.
Manual Labor Method
Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Grab a shovel and start cutting strips or small squares of turf, along with the top layer of soil. Don’t forget to water the soil beforehand to make the process easier.
Plastic Sheet Method
If you’re not up for the physical challenge, we have you covered. Literally. Get yourself some thick plastic sheets and cover the lawn. Let the sun work its magic, heating up and drying out the unwanted greenery. Just keep in mind that this method requires a little more patience. Depending on how stubborn your grass is, it could take anywhere from two to six months. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
Smothering Method
Alternatively, you can smother that lawn with cardboard or newspapers and pile on organic materials such as compost, pine needles, grass clippings, fallen leaves, and kitchen scraps. This method may also take a few months, but trust us, it’s worth the wait.
Once you’ve cleared that space, you have several options.
Native Perennial Wild Plants
If you’re not into gardening or tending to shrubs and trees, go wild with local perennial wild plants. They will help maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health while creating a lush, textured, and diverse landscape. Native plants are perfectly adapted to the local conditions, plus they attract all kinds of fascinating wildlife, require less watering and fertilizing, and keep your ecosystem happy and healthy. It’s a win-win!
Clover as an Alternative
A good alternative to a traditional lawn is clover, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s less demanding in terms of watering and fertilization, and it improves soil structure while preventing erosion. It also enriches the soil with nitrogen, suppresses weed growth, and retains moisture throughout the year. Talk about multitasking! Clover fills in the gaps, creating a soft and gentle ground cover that’s as pleasant to walk on as a plush carpet. It only needs 4–5 good rain showers to thrive in summer, with a little extra watering during dry periods.
We should mention that clover becomes a bee magnet during the flowering season. Be sure to mow the flowering tops if you don’t want your family and pets to be stung by a nervous bumblebee. But don’t let that mowed clover go to waste! You can use it as mulch for your vegetable beds and fruit shrubs. And be careful during the rainy season, as the clover’s moisture-retaining properties can make it a bit slippery. Safety first!
In a nutshell, ditching those conventional lawns is a great way to reduce our ecological footprint and create more picturesque landscapes. Let’s give Mother Nature a break and embrace more eco-friendly alternatives. Trust us, your new lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood, and the bees will thank you for it!