In the previous blog, Turf Alternatives Part 1, we discussed the importance of transitioning from a turf grass lawn into an outdoor space that embraces biodiversity and water conservation! The following post describes various lawn alternatives and steps to take for success.
Step 1: Choose Your Location
First, pick the site or section of turf you would like to remove.
We recommend removing all NON-FUNCTIONAL turfgrass. Some lawn may be needed for children to play, for dogs to use, or for recreation.
However, if the only use a section of lawn gets is when it is mowed, watered, or otherwise maintained, that area is non-functional and a perfect area for removal. This is typically our front lawns, as back lawns are more likely to be used.
You can remove all of your turf at once or just do a portion each year.
Pay attention to sun exposure and soil conditions of the area you choose. These parameters will determine what it can be converted into.
The 1/3 Rule
The best plan of action is to divide your landscape into thirds.
1/3 of your landscape could be functional turf, or if no lawn is needed, a ground cover or your choice of another turf alternative from step 2.
1/3 should be plant beds housing native plants, an edible garden, or a combination of the two.
1/3 could be permeable hardscaping like an outdoor living space, a patio, walkways/paths, or simply rocks.
The goal is to decrease water use while increasing biodiversity and interest in your landscape. If you love turf grass and want to keep a small lawn, that is okay!
Step 2: Choose a Turf Alternative
This is where it is important to consider conditions like sun exposure and soil.
Native plants, pocket prairies or wildflowers do well with full sun and clay soils.
Hardscapes like a patio might do best under a shady tree. Or perhaps you need to plant a tree to create shade.
Edible gardens usually prefer full to part sun and well-drained soil. Raised beds are particularly effective for edible gardens.
Which design?
Decide on the landscaping design you are going to incorporate.
Look for inspiration and what type of look you are going for. The 1/3 rule can be accommodated by a variety of landscape design types.
Check out our Basic Texas Home Landscape Design video for tips on making your own design.
Turf Alternative Options
Ground Cover
Ground cover refers to low-growing plants which are usually planted in a mass of all one plant species, aka a monoculture. Ground cover can give the illusion of turf grass, but with lower water use, less maintenance needed, and more ecological significance. Below are examples of ground cover types that work well in Texas home landscapes.
Snakeherb
Dyschoriste linearis
Snakeherb produces small purple flowers from spring to fall and is a host plant for Buckeye Butterflies.
Choose this ground cover if you…
Want a taller, bushier ground cover (max height 6-12 inches)
Can provide full sun.
Do not need deer resistance.
Frog Fruit
Phyla nodiflora
Frog Fruit produces tiny white flowers nearly year-round and is a host plant for Phalon Cresent Butterflies.
It can lay down to create a low-growing mat or be hedged at the edges to create a slightly taller, upstanding look.
Choose this ground cover if you…
Want a low maintenance, fast-spreading plant.
Can provide part to full sun.
Want something you do not have to mow – max height is 6 inches or less.
Woolly Stemodia
Stemodia lanata
Woolly Stemodia creates tiny lavender to white flowers throughout spring to fall and has a fuzzy, silvery leaf. This groundcover is perfect for adding greenery to a rocky area.
Choose this ground cover if you…
Want a plant with a longer growing season that is semi-evergreen, depending on how cold it gets in a given year.
Want something you don’t have to mow – max height is less than 6 inches.
Need something that is more resistant to deer.
Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis
Horseherb produces tiny yellow flowers nearly year-round and is an excellent source of early nectar for smaller butterflies.
Choose this ground cover if you…
Need a plant that is tolerant of shade or sun.
Want an easy to grow, no maintenance ground cover.
Want something you do not have to mow – max height is less than 6 inches.
Pocket Prairie or Wildflower Patch
A dedicated patch of your yard that you let “grow wild” and typically create by planting seeds rather than planting mature plants. A Pocket Prairie refers to a small replication of a native Texas prairie with tall, clumping grasses and wildflowers. A Wildflower Patch refers to an area consisting of primarily wildflowers will little to no tall grasses. Check out our Pocket Prairie page to learn more about creating these features.
Choose a pocket prairie or wildflower patch if you…
Have an area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight.
LOVE pollinators and want a vast array of different flowers that change throughout the blooming season.
Want a VERY LOW maintenance feature.
Have an area that gets little to no irrigation.
Don’t mind having taller plants. Wildflowers can reach upwards of 2-3 feet tall and native grasses can grow as high as 5-6 feet tall.
Prefer a more natural look.
Native Plant Beds and Xeriscaping
Texas native plants can be used to fill plant beds and conform to most landscaping types or designs, while offering reduced water needs and drought tolerance. Native plants can be used to create traditional ornamental beds, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, cottage gardens, and much more!
Xeriscaping is a sustainable landscaping method that uses a combination of drought-tolerant plants and green stormwater techniques such as the use of dry creek beds, rock gardening, and rain gardens.
Choose Xeriscape if you…
Want a diverse garden with year-round seasonal interest.
Love the look of rocks interwoven with plants.
Need to control stormwater or localized flooding in your landscape.
Want plants of different heights, colors and textures living together in a yard.
Want an extremely low maintenance and water-saving yard.
Choose native Texas plants if you…
Want to maintain a certain design or traditional look while reducing water use and maintenance.
Love the look of plants surrounded by mulch or decomposed granite.
Want to support pollinators and native wildlife.
Want to choose from plants of different heights, colors, and textures.
Want a drought and cold tolerant landscape.
Some drought tolerant plants to consider including in any home landscape…
Texas Sage
Mexican Feather Grass
Prickly Pear Cactus
Texas Lantana
Purple Coneflower
Red Yucca
Texas Mountain Laurel
Rock Rose
Pink Muhly
Mealy Blue Sage
Edible Landscapes
Edible landscaping consists of planting garden beds that look aesthetically pleasing (or not, if that is not important to you!) and also serve the function of providing food. Edible landscapes can be vegetable gardens, herb gardens, or fruit tree orchards.
Edible landscaping is an extremely efficient use of land that may not save as much water as xeriscaping or a pocket prairie, but provides value in the output of the garden.
Choose an edible landscape if you…
Want a more hands-on garden and don’t mind more maintenance.
Want the satisfaction of eating something you grew yourself.
Want a variety of heights, colors, and textures in your garden.
Want your land to be put to good use.
Permeable Hardscape
Hardscaping refers to manmade, non-living elements in landscape designs such as patios, outdoor living areas, walkways, retaining walls, decks, pergolas, and water features.
Permeable means rainwater is able to pass through the hardscape and contact the soil. This is a very important aspect of using hardscaping as a sustainable landscaping feature. Permeable hardscape creates an area of your landscape that does not need watering and can let rain soak into the soil, decreasing stormwater runoff and increasing water stored underground.
Consider alternatives to concrete patios or grout between pavers. These block the flow of water and can result in more localized flooding during rain events. Instead use gravel, sand, or nothing between pavers, or just put down river rocks, gravel, or even just mulch or decomposed granite.
Choose permeable hardscaping if you…
Want a functional space that looks beautiful and can be used recreationally for get-togethers and other activities.
Want a feature that requires no irrigation and little maintenance.
Want to break up your landscape design with paths, seating areas, and “rooms”.
Want to expand your living space beyond your home.
Step 3: Prepare Your Site
Depending on what you plan to replace your turf with, additional site preparation may be necessary.
Hardscape installation may require leveling, compacting, and a layer of sand or gravel.
Texas native plants typically do not need any soil preparation or additives. However, if your soil is hard and lacking organic matter, compost may be a smart addition.
Edible gardens will require more soil preparation and additives.
Consider building raised beds for edible gardens or native plant beds.
Site preparation primarily means turf removal. To begin the transformation, clear your site of weeds and existing grass.
There are several different methods of turf grass removal.
St. Augustine grass is typically best removed by simply removing the top layer of sod using a sod cutter or manually using a flat shovel.
More aggressive plants like Bermuda grass and weeds may need more than physical removal.
You may kill grass and weeds using solarization and/or smothering, with thick layers of newspaper, cardboard, or mulch.
For a more in-depth tutorial on turf-removal methods, check out our pocket prairie page.
If planting from seed, it is VERY IMPORANT TO REMOVE ALL GRASS AND WEED RUNNERS/ROOTS! The more you remove now, the less weeding you will need to do in the future.
Step 4: Time to Plant!
Ground Cover: The ground covers listed here will establish better from mature plants, however some ground covers can be established from seed. Plant small starters of your desired ground cover into freshly tilled soil and keep moist until establishment. The plants will spread over time and eventually cover the whole area. Remove any undesirable plant growth by hand weeding.
Pocket Prairie or Wildflower Patch: Scatter seeds on lightly disturbed (raked) soil and keep moist until you seedlings begin to establish. Annual wildflowers are best seeded, but perennial grasses and flowers are more successful if planted. Hand weed any unwanted plant growth.
Xeriscape and Native Beds: Plant established plants according to your design. When you are finished planting, cover the remaining exposed soil with rock or mulch. Create channels or depressions to aid in water runoff.
Edible Landscapes: Follow directions and sun exposure guidelines for the edible plants you wish to grow in your garden. Plant seasonally as appropriate.
Turf Alternatives Inspiration
Having a turf-free yard can be beautiful and having diverse landscaping features increases property values! Here are some real-world examples of turf lawn to sustainable landscape conversions.
