Exquisite Lawn Alternatives

Large, sweeping seas of lawn is something many South Africans absolutely adore. Seeing your children and/or pets frolicking on that jade green carpet can only bring a smile to your face.  Unfortunately, lawn is hungry, thirsty, expensive, maintenance intensive, prone to have pests or diseases and is not very eco-friendly. That’s why we are going to be talking about a few ideas for lawn alternatives. These solutions will help reduce lawn coverage and are generally best for smaller spaces. 

Flower Beds

To decide what you are going to replace the lawn with you must consider what the space is going to be used for. If you are simply looking to reduce the size of your lawn to save money or reduce the maintenance of it, then the simplest solution is creating new flower beds or expanding existing ones.  

Flower beds are generally less thirsty (depending on the plant you use of course), require much less maintenance and cost less in the long run. 

Low Traffic Areas

If the space you want to create is going to be for simply sitting in or the occasional stroll (so, a low traffic situation), consider some ground cover.  

Options include Ophiopogon japonica and ‘Kyoto Dwarf’, Dymondia margaretae, mulch, gravel or more unusual options such as Chamomile and/or Thyme. The herbs in particular will create a soothing and pleasant scent as they’re stepped on. 

Perfect for Playtime

Inversely, if you want to create a play area, or your pets are very attached to a certain area of the lawn, you’ll need something that can handle getting run through (high traffic areas).  

Options include different types of mulch, permeable paving or gravel (if your children or pets are not too prone to distributing it all over the garden).  

Ready to Entertain

The most common option for outdoor entertainment areas is paving. As an alternative, gravel works particularly well, especially coupled with flagstones and a ground cover plant peppered in here and there. Mulch can be used for a more rustic setting. Keep in mind that mulch and gravel will likely need to be topped up from time to time. 

Synthetic Lawn

If you are dealing with a particularly difficult spot for regular lawn to grow, but you still want the satisfaction of having a lawn, then a high-quality synthetic lawn is a great option. It is not without its own complications, so seek a professional when considering this option. It is also useful for creating putting greens or if your friends and family have a proclivity for a spot of cricket or other sports. 

It’s best to contact a professional who can help you make the best choice when considering changes to your garden.  

For more gardening advice contact Kerwyn on 064 658 2815 or email kerwyn@purpleturtleconcepts.co.za. You can also visit the Purple Turtle Concepts and the Guild of Landscape Designers (GoLD) pages on Facebook. 

By Kerwyn Fourie, Chairperson of the Guild of Landscape Designers.