5 Yard Alternatives to Grass

July 10, 2020 — 4 min read

No matter where you live, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your yard. Sometimes it's too sunny or not sunny enough. Some days you hope for rain, and on others, you're hoping the rain stops. The truth is, grass is just tricky. It requires extensive care and consistent monitoring.

The good news is, there are affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to grass that will look great and give you more time to relax instead of mowing.

Dry Creek Beds

Did you know that most homes built before the mid-1900s don't have gutters installed? That adorable older home with its unique charm and "fixer-upper" potential could end up being a financial nightmare without a proper system for rain run-off. In some arid climates, such as Arizona or Utah, even recently built homes don't have gutters.

Excessive rain, even in short spurts, has the potential to cause basement flooding, moldy siding, or possibly cause sections of your lawn to wash away entirely. So, what's the solution? Try creating a dry creek bed! If you're looking to create a Pinterest-worthy work of art, you can buy rocks and install landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing through. However, there are cheaper guides that walk you through a nearly-free way to redirect rain run-off and avoid needing grass over the entirety of your yard.

Moss

Using moss as an alternative to grass traditionally works best in cool, wet climates, or backyard spaces with lots of shade and cover from the sun. Ideally, you would use the same type of moss(es) that are native to your region.

Moss has many positives, such as no mowing, resiliency, and easy installation. In drier climates, moss may need to be occasionally watered, but in most cases, the moss will grow to about one inch with minimal care required. Though a tougher grass alternative, such as traditional turf, can withstand more foot traffic, moss can also hold its own.

Synthetic Grass (Turf)

Of all the grass alternatives covered, artificial turf is by far one of the most expensive options upfront. However, the yearly cost to upkeep the turf is minimal. There's no mowing, no fertilizer, and no stressing about dry patches.

The national average cost for professional installation of artificial grass is about $2,000, and depending on the type of turf wanted, your location, the amount needed, etc. your costs could skyrocket. For DIY-savvy homeowners, laying the artificial grass down yourself could save you a pretty penny.

Rocks or Gravel

At first glance, this probably doesn't seem like the most attractive alternative to lush, green grass. On the other hand, it may be entirely out of the question to grow a healthy lawn, depending on where you live. Plus, laying down rocks is a simple solution with minimal upfront costs and limited upkeep required after installation.

Adding pathways, birdbaths, or the occasional potted plant could take this simple solution into a sight to behold. Check out these options on our Pinterest.

Flower or Shrub Beds

Flower beds don't have to be small strips along the side of your house. A shrub or flower bed featuring a variety of colorful flowers and vines could create the perfect look for your front or backyard. Though flower beds still require some water and weed upkeep, the money and time saved compared to a grass lawn could be worth it for you.

A few space-filling plants to consider for large beds: