Have you ever looked at your lawn and wanted to kill everything in sight? The sentiment is well understood. Grass makes for a lackluster yard – it grows in ugly clumps, requires constant mowing, and often becomes the spreading grounds for weeds. 

Some enterprising neighbors may forego their lawn entirely and transform it into a wildflower meadow; others opt for low-maintenance groundcovers, many of which have an interesting look. 

These newly revamped lawns are also less work, requiring less fertilizer and watering, with mowing practically rendered obsolete. Below are a few sustainable alternatives to replace your lawn with that look better than grass ever could. 

Ways to Remove Turfgrass

The easiest, least labor-intensive way to get rid of a lawn is through smothering and composting. Start by covering the planting area with overlapping layers of newspaper, dampening the cardboard as needed, then cover with a 3-inch layer of mulch or compost. After 6 – 8 weeks, the grass underneath will have died down, leaving you with a newly composted area for planting. 

Invasive Groundcovers

Gardeners have been cautioned against using creeping Jenny due to its thuggish nature. A few sporadic patches for edging are fine, but do not let it get out of control. Other invasive culprits to avoid include bishop’s weed and evening primrose. 

1. Groundcovers 

Although often neglected, groundcovers provide substantial benefits to the landscape, such as erosion control, weed suppression, and soil improvement. Their visual appeal is also typically superior to that of lawn grass.

Creeping Thyme       

Valued for its aesthetic appearance, creeping thyme is a great groundcover ideal for filling in craggy or weak areas. Striking effects can be achieved by planting it in the narrow strip between sidewalks and streets – experiment by mixing in low-lying herbs or groundcovers like sedums and clovers. Able to tolerate light to medium foot traffic, creeping thyme is suggested for gardens where heavy trampling from young kids or dogs is not a concern. 

Clover    

Commonly seen dotting the hills of the British Isles, clover is a durable plant that can handle being walked on. Once branded as a weed, it is seeing a resurgence due to its nitrogen-fixing qualities and fast-growing nature. The dense mat of plants grows rapidly, leaving lawns with a lush, fluffy texture that beckons pollinators. However, it can become aggressive and take over lawns, so make sure your mind is set on it.   

Vinca Minor 

Although Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) is deemed as a weed in many areas, it can serve as a protective groundcover in contained, well-kept areas. It may be interesting to experiment with vinca and other vigorous groundcovers in raised beds to see which will win out. 

2. Herb Garden   

Those who equate manual labor with pain can rejoice in an herb garden. Skip the hassle of uprooting turfgrass with the help of raised beds, which allows herbs to effortlessly form fragrant swathes. Many Mediterranean herbs can withstand dry conditions, so if you want to renovate your garden further, a Mediterranean themed garden can be an excellent way to create a visually sustainable space in drought-prone regions. 

3. Meadow Lawns   

You might have seen the viral TikTok of a lawn covered in a sunny patch of gazania flowers, also known as African daisies. While gazanias are not native to North America, they have readily acclimated themselves to arid regions of the US. In meadow lawns, flowers, often native to the area, are left to run rampant. The result is a mosaic of color that is attractive to pollinators. Despite its multi-layered appearance, meadow lawns are typically less upkeep than traditional lawns. 

4. Edible Gardens     

Edible gardens may seem like a lot of work, but they’re a great way to save money and eat healthier. With the help of raised planters, barren lots filled with pebbles or gravel are transformed into lush ‘forests’ of fresh produce. You’ll only have to focus on watering your vegetables, a task that is facilitated with precision watering hoses. 

5. Ornamental Grasses             

The closest substitute to ordinary grass, ornamental grasses are much more interesting to look at. Colorful grasses like switchgrass and black mondo help inject much-needed character; many ornamental grasses also offer a variety of ecological benefits, including boosting biodiversity and outcompeting invasives. Ornamental grasses are often interwoven with native flowers to create a layered, dynamic effect. 

6. Rock Garden         

 Rock gardens were popularized during the Victorian era to reflect the Victorian’s fascination with travel. A rockery – a conglomeration of stones interlaced with plants – were often over the top, consisting of dramatic conglomerations interspersed with flowing mounds of shrubs. Today’s gardeners can recreate a Victorian rockery by combining elements of Mediterranean design with alpine plants: wispy blooms in muted violets and whites, large boulders, and hardy shrubs. Rock gardens are not recommended for hot areas, as concentrated heat from the rocks can exacerbate the overall temperature. 

7. Succulent Garden     

In a world plagued by a dearth of water, succulent gardens are a wonderful idea that northerners can only dream of. Designing a succulent that looks pleasing to the eye, as opposed to a sad clump of cactus, will require some planning. In a succulent garden, some plants will work better than others – Agave Americana 'Variegata', known for its striking blue-green leaves adorned with creamy yellow edges, can help austere spaces look less bare. 

8. Gravel    

Many types of gardening applications, from xeriscaping to Mediterranean gardens, require some form of gravel. Pea gravel and crushed gravel, two common types, are often used by gardeners to fill available spaces and paths. Pea gravel is often preferred, as it is easy to install and unobtrusive underfoot. Crushed stone tends to be larger, with jagged edges that make walking unpleasant.