Thanks to all the movies where everyone has perfectly cut green laws everyone wants to have them perfect, but that is just not possible. A well maintained green lawn is like a status symbol. But if you are employed it is most likely that you don’t have the power or the will to trim your lawn for four hours every other day and water it perfectly. It is not only the time that needs to be put into it, it requires quite a lot of money to keep it looking spic and span. If you are not into all of that here are the top 7 alternatives for grass that look just as amazing as grass.
Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is something that first comes into people’s minds. It is simple to install and doesn’t require any upkeep. This means that it doesn’t need to be mowed, fertilized it will look amazing without any of that. It is very durable so foot traffic will affect it even if there is a lot of rain. If you have children or pets you won’t have to worry about them getting muddy when they are playing after it has rained.
But if you live in a very hot climate this might not be the best option as it retains heat and it is made out of plastic. This can be quite a problem if you have children and pets walking on it during the summer because they will get burned. Another important thing is that if it is melted it can release toxic chemicals into the environment.
Gravel
Another very simple to install option is gravel. Once you have laid it all down it doesn’t require maintenance. There are so many different colours, shapes, and sizes of it so it is great for customization. It is very easy and healthy to walk on. Because water runs through gravel very easily you don’t have to worry about flooding and puddles forming.
Depending on how much space you need to cover, it can get quite expensive to purchase as it is a natural material. The downside is that gravel is not compatible with wheels because they will shift underneath them.
Garden
If you are someone who enjoys working outside, making a garden instead of having a lawn is the best option for you. Not only will you have a new hobby you will also have fresh produce as well as some amazing flowers. Gardening is a wonderful way to relieve stress as well as a great way to save money on buying produce. It doesn’t need much maintenance, all you really need are good-quality hose reels to reach all your plants as well as some fertilizers if you want.
Gardens need to be cared for because they will die and lower the aesthetics of your home. If you are planning on using pesticides and other chemicals to control weeds and pests it is important that you are aware that they can be quite expensive and toxic to the environment.
Mulch
If you want something more colorful than grass mulch is the way to go as it has so many different colours you can choose from. It is great because it will provide you with excellent drainage so you won’t have to worry about having pools of water after it has rained. Another really cool benefit of having mulch instead of grass is that it prevents weeds from growing. Therefore you won’t have to buy any pesticides and other toxic things to kill the weeds. Along with that you won’t have to mow your lawn before you put the mulch down and you can plant flowers very easily.
The thing about mulch is that it needs to be replaced every year or so because it is biodegradable. If you don’t replace it, it can begin to look ugly and patchy and weeds will start coming tough. But if you are looking for a cheaper alternative for grass, that is not mulch because it is more expensive per square foot.
Patio
If you are a family, patients are an amazing option, because you will have a large area where you can spend time together. It is easily decorated with furniture so you will be able to utilize every inch of it. It will not only make your home look better it will increase the value of it if you end up putting it up for sale. Patios are great because you can always add a form of shade so you can spend the entire day outside without having to worry about sunscreen.
If your concrete patio is not made correctly it can collect water and you will have to re-do the entire thing. If you choose darker colored concrete it will heat up and radiate the heat as well as burn your feet.
Moss
If your yard is in a shade or you have parts of it that are shaded, moss is a great option for you. It is the best low-maintenance alternative to grass. It comes in so many different colours and textures so you can design it all according to your taste. You can choose if you want a smoother texture or something that is more like grass. All in all it is super low-maintenance and doesn’t cost a lot of money.
The only issue with moss is that it thrives in shaded and moist places. Therefore it requires regular watering and it cannot withstand a lot of foot traffic.
Wood Deck
If you are looking for something that will improve and increase the amount of functional space you have in your backyard, replacing your lawn with a wood deck is the way to go. This is the best option for larger families. The wood is super low-maintenance, the design options are endless and it doesn’t get hot to the point that it will burn somebody’s feet.
The only maintenance it really requires is staining it every couple of years and the main down payment will cost you more than it would to get other alternatives like mulch.
The most important when you are choosing your grass alternative is to understand your needs and wants as well as calculate your budget correctly. Try to think more long term when you are calculating the budget as some options will cost more to install but it will save you money in the long run.
