If you’re ready to give up the green (grass), consider options like hardscaping or plant groundcover
Did you know most North American lawn owners will mow their yard between 20 to 30 times each year? Of course, that’s dependent upon the weather, fertilizer and most importantly, the owner’s diligence.
If you find peace in pursuing a luscious lawn full of grass, great! But if not, that’s a lot of time you could spend in pursuit of other activities during the warmer months.
If you’re looking for options to reduce or eliminate your mowing time, Lowe’s has some options for you. Keep in mind it’s not necessary to tackle your entire lawn at once. All of these projects can be done in increments, so you can replace portions of your lawn over time.
Plant Groundcover Instead of Grass
If you appreciate watching the seasons change via your outdoor vegetation, switching from a time and energy intensive lush grass lawn to a groundcover can provide you with a similar natural and earthy feel without much of the maintenance.
A few favorites include creeping perennials. Creeping Jenny is a fantastic option for lawn replacement or try Irish Moss, which provides a carpet of green foliage and produces tiny white flowers. A more colorful option, if you have a large space, includes wildflowers which provides nice coverage with pops of color.
Install Hardscapes
Hardscapes are a great way of reducing your mowing as well as your watering needs and can provide the perfect spot for sipping iced tea while enjoying your lawn-free lifestyle.
One of the great things about hardscapes is with a wide variety of stone selections and install patterns, you can customize to fit your area, needs and budget. Pavers don’t just add style – they’re easy to install, low maintenance and easy to replace if damaged or cracked. If you need a little help getting started, Lowe’s has great tips for installing a paver patio.
Consider Artificial Grass
Beyond being practically maintenance free, artificial turf can actually improve your home value as well as cut down on water usage. According to The Southern Nevada Water Authority, every square foot of lawn replaced with artificial grass saves 55 gallons of water per year, which can amount to large water usage (and bill!) savings.
Artificial grass comes in a variety of textures, finishes, colors and blade shapes so you can achieve the perpetually green lawn of your dreams.
Once you’ve created your perfect low-maintenance yard, you’ll have the perfect spot to enjoy all the books on your summer reading list… and actually have the time to read them.
* Always check with your HOA or local ordinances before tackling any of these projects.