Ditch the Grass

Beautiful and Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Lawns

April 30, 2025

If you're tired of mowing, watering, grub kill-off (cost of nematodes) and fertilizing your grass lawn, you're not alone. More homeowners and gardeners are shifting toward low-maintenance, eco-conscious alternatives that offer beauty, functionality, and support for local ecosystems. Whether you're looking to cover a large yard or fill in bare patches, here are some excellent alternatives to traditional grass lawns:

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Clover Lawns

Clover is gaining popularity as a lawn substitute, especially white clover (Trifolium repens).

Why choose clover?
•    Stays green even in drought conditions
•    Naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil
•    Soft underfoot and resistant to pet urine
•    Attracts pollinators

• Self seed readily

Maintenance tip: Clover lawns only need to be mowed a few times a year to maintain a tidy look.

Varieties:

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Creeping Thyme

This fragrant, flowering herb is a lovely and practical ground cover.

Why choose creeping thyme?
•    Tolerates foot traffic
•    Blooms in summer with purple or pink flowers
•    Drought-tolerant and low-growing
•    Great for sunny spots

• In between paving stones

Bonus: It releases a pleasant scent when walked on!

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Bird's-foot Trefoil

This hardy legume offers bright yellow flowers and excellent soil improvement properties.

Why choose bird's-foot trefoil?
•    Fixes nitrogen in the soil
•    Tolerates drought and poor soils
•    Blooms all summer long
•    Attracts bees and butterflies

• Food Source for larva of multiple butterflies

• Erosion control

Caution: It spreads aggressively, so it's best suited for areas where you want full coverage.

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Cover Crops as Seasonal Ground Covers

While often used in agriculture, cover crops are fantastic for rejuvenating tired soil in home gardens.

Great options for spring and summer include:
•    Oats – Great for breaking up compacted soil
•   Barley – Helps prevent erosion and suppresses weeds
•    Buckwheat – Grows quickly, attracts pollinators and predatory insects, and smothers weeds

Why use them?
•    Improve soil structure and fertility
•    Suppress weeds naturally
•    Add organic matter when tilled under (or use no-till methods!)
•    Prevents soil erosion over winter

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Wildflowers as Ground Covers

Looking to trade in your high-maintenance lawn for something beautiful, biodiverse, and buzzing with life? A wildflower ground cover might be your perfect match!

Why choose wildflowers instead of lawn?

•    Visually stunning with ever-changing blooms
•    Supports bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
•    Deep-rooted species improve soil health and reduce compaction
•    Requires less mowing, fertilizing, and watering once established
•    Encourages biodiversity and supports local ecosystems

• Continued flowering for long season of blooms

Popular wildflower options for ground cover:

• Black-eyed Susan – Bright yellow blooms that are native to NB and pollinator-friendly
• Coreopsis – Delicate, daisy-like flowers in golds and reds

•    Coneflower– A favorite for butterflies
•    Yarrow – Ferny foliage with flat-topped flowers, great for pollinators
•    Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) – Low-growing with purple flowers, native and medicinal
•    Oxeye Daisy – A classic, cheerful wildflower that spreads easily
•    Blue False Indigo – Important early nectar source and a spring bloomer

How to get started:

•    Choose a wildflower mix suited for your region and sunlight levels
•    Prep by removing existing grass and lightly disturbing the soil surface
•    Sow seeds in early spring or fall (some mixes prefer a cold stratification period)
•    Water regularly until established, then let nature take over!

Pro Tip:

Choose native wildflowers whenever possible to support local pollinators and ensure better adaptability to your climate.

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Ready to break up with your mower and go green in a whole new way? These alternative ground covers are not only beautiful but also kinder to the planet and your schedule!

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Ditch the Grass

Beautiful and Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Lawns

Clover Lawns

Creeping Thyme

Bird's-foot Trefoil

Cover Crops as Seasonal Ground Covers

Wildflowers as Ground Covers

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Articles for you

Lawn Care Guide

Prepping Your Lawn and Garden for Winter: A Complete Guide

Harnessing the Power of Crop Cover and Green Manure for Sustainable Gardening

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