Are you tired of the time and costs to mow, water, fertilize and maintain your lawn? Are you tired of a yard that looks just like all the others? This class presents alternatives for reclaiming all or part of your lawn to create a more sustainable and interesting landscape. The discussion includes manageable techniques to reduce the size of your lawn and plant replacements for traditional turf grass.
Speaker: Extension Master Gardener Donald Bobby
Zoom session, Saturday, March 28, 2020
Video of Presentation
Additional Resources
Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Master Gardener Help Desk mgarlalex@gmail.com
- Plant Clinics
Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
- Website includes lists of native plant vendors and plant sales
- Site visits to identify plants and plan for sustainable landscaping
- Certification of properties as Wildlife Sanctuaries
Articles
- “Designing an end to a toxic American obsession: The Lawn,” CNN Style, April 17, 2020
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html - “Lawn Alternatives: Ways to Reduce Your Lawn,” Home & Garden Information Center, University of Maryland Extension.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-alternatives
Additional Points Made in Response to Questions
- Many native plants have very different pH requirements than lawns. Homeowners are encouraged to have their soil tested if they are thinking about changing from turf grass in their yards.
- Residents can simply expand an already existing tree circle or flower bed bit by bit over time to reduce lawn.
- Leaving weeds, such chicory, henbit, or plantains on a vacant lot could be an option before converting it to another use. Some of them may be edible. It is important to identify plants first because some, such as English Ivy, may be invasive and will need to be removed. Photos can be sent to the Master Gardener Help Desk for assistance.
- Homeowners can provide individual models in their own yards to help change the American mindset about lawns.
- Turf grass cannot withstand extensive activity from dogs. It is best to try to separate them from the landscaped areas of the yard.
- Developers’ main concern is to avoid erosion, so they plant lawn as something to establish quickly. It is up to homeowners to make future changes to the landscaping.
- Spring is a good time to plant Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) for sunny sites. It should be watered regularly throughout the summer if there are severe droughts. Phlox species for shady locations include Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) and Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera).