How To Keep Your Lawn Looking Green

Homeowners' fasciation with a lush, green lawn is something that has developed over time and is still "growing" strong. According to a 2019 survey conducted on behalf of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, 81% of all Americans had lawns and 79% said a lawn is an important feature when buying or renting a property.

Even though lush lawns are still coveted, due to drought, the financial climate and even invading insect populations, many people are taking inventory of their landscapes and deciding if a lawn is a priority, even going so far as to reinvent their spaces with lawn alternatives. Still, there are ways to keep properties green no matter which route is taken. Here's a look at some environmentally friendly ways to address a landscape.

Irrigate from below

There are many ways to water landscapes, but homeowners may want to take their cues from the commercial farming industry. Drip irrigation systems utilize a network of valves, pipes and tubing close to the roots of plants or under the soil. Such systems are more efficient than surface irrigation options, helping to save water and nutrients in the soil.

Water early

Scotts Lawn Care suggests watering a lawn in the morning before 10 a.M. When it is cooler and winds tend to be calmer. This ensures water can be absorbed into the soil and grass roots before evaporation occurs. Watering midday may cause the water droplets on the lawn blades to heat up and actually scorch the lawn.

Plant a new grass type

Homeowners can experiment with eco-friendly grass seed blends that mix native grasses and may not require as much water nor ideal growing conditions.

Utilize green alternatives

Rather than focusing solely on grass, some homeowners are turning to alternatives like clover and even moss, particularly if their landscapes do not have the most pristine growing conditions. This may reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and herbicides. The result is still a green, inviting yard.

Watch the lawn height

Mowing too frequently or at too low a height may compromise the lawn's ability to thrive. Grass cut to the proper height develops a deep root system to better locate water and nutrients in the soil. That means homeowners may not have to water as much or as frequently. Taller lawns also shade the soil and the roots, reducing some evaporation.

Compost

Leave the clippings on the lawn to break down and further feed nutrients to the lawn, helping it look greener and thrive. Furthermore, rely on supplementation with compost to reinforce the nutrient profile in the soil. The National Resources Defense Council says composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer. It doesn't take much to nurture compost in a yard.

Green landscapes are possible with a few tips that help conserve water and maximize natural resources.

8 Fall Lawn Care Tips To Maintain The Perfect Grass

Fall lawn care tips.

Fall lawn care is something that is often overlooked, especially with the weather worsening and the temperatures plummeting; stepping out into the backyard isn't as appealing as it was just a few weeks ago.

The key is that if you prepare your outdoor space when the seasons change, you'll achieve a stronger, healthier lawn longer term. Looking at a gorgeous green lush lawn is as much about appreciating how it got to that point. So what can you do in the fall to make your lawn greener in the spring?

This guide will lay out the most important fall lawn care actions you can be thinking about right now which includes some expert top-tips from Lawn Association Chairman, David Hedges Gower. All you need to do is find the right clothes for gardening in, and the rest is laid out for you below. It is also worth checking out the best lawn mowers and best leaf blowers so you can ensure that you have the right tools for the job.

Fall lawn care

Taking some essential fall lawn care steps will help to ensure that the grass is in its best possible condition for winter. Here's what you'll need to do.

1. Mow the grass

You may have one more cut of your lawn with a lawn mower before the cold stops the grass from growing to brave out the winter. Make sure it's done well and you avoid the common lawn mowing mistake of cutting the grass when it is wet, no matter how tempting it may be.

Knowing how often to mow your lawn is key, regardless of the time of year. When the temperature falls below about 40°F grass becomes dormant, so it won't grow. This means that mowing will do no good to your lawn. Once you see fresh new growth in spring, then that's the time to get out your mower for the first cut of the season. Lawn expert David Hedges-Gower sums up the timings nicely:  "If it doesn't stop growing, then don't stop mowing."

2. Dethatch the lawn

When you dethatch/scarify your lawn, similar to the lighter thatching process, you can follow the process of how to detach a lawn by using your rake or dedicated scarifying tool, to collect up all the dead grass and old moss. Think of this as a type of top layer cleaning where you are clearing access to the precious soil beneath. While scarifying is for rougher grass, thatching is for more refined lawns, so pick your process based on your current lawn status.

Lawn Association Chairman David Hedges Gower says: "Removing thatch is something best done at least yearly (we prune most plants every year). That way, we don't have to remove too much in one go and therefore our lawn recovers much faster.  Also, be aware that trying to remove 10 years worth of un-scarified lawn material in one go might not leave enough grass to fill back in.  So, see scarification for what it is, a pruning technique that controls thatch levels in order for moss not to have a chance to survive.''

Once that top layer is cleared of moss and old grass, which can block water and fertilizer reaching the soil, you now have better access to the roots for treatment. This can actually save you time and money as you then need to use fewer soil treatments to have the best possible effects.

Don't be afraid to dig deep in the fall as all that young grass from early summer is now gone and you can rely on the tougher bedded in grass to survive even more vigorous maintenance work.

3. Flatten the lawn

During the summer season your lawn grass, and the soil under that, can take a bit of a beating. The results can be uneven lawn areas which not only look less attractive but can also be potential pooling areas for the extra water that will likely fall over the winter season. So if you have kids or dogs, which can really tear up the lawn, then this process is likely a must.

This flattening method helps you to avoid areas of flooding and dry spots, which can result in even more uneven surfaces when the summer comes around for next season's growth.

Go very basic and flatten with a spade, or an edging iron, to cut up areas of grass and then aerate with a fork and flatten before re-laying turn that is now level. Another option for less extreme levels is to use a heavy roller to flatten out the soil, although this does flatten the grass too.

4. Aerate your lawn

The importance of aeration cannot be understated – this is essentially how your lawn breathes. Despite that sounding like something you should be doing often, it's actually only necessary once every two or three years. This is because it involves spiking the soil and potentially killing some grass.

Since this will allow air and water to reach the soil more easily, think of it as a grass prune back in aid of helping the rest of the grass grow more effectively. Knowing how to aerate your lawn is as simple as using a fork where you walk the lawn and forking into the soil.

Another option is to invest in a dedicated aerator which also uses spikes but on a roller. This allows you to move up and down your lawn a lot faster while still creating plenty of aeration holes – ideal for larger spaces.

You can buy this simple lawn spike aerator on Amazon

5. Top dress your lawn

Top dressing is something that's ideally done during the fall to make sure your lawn has the most favorable growing conditions when it comes time to start growing again.

Top soils will vary from area to area, with under soil often being more sandy near the coast and potentially more clay like inland. Even this varies and it is a good top dresser which is able to offer balance to that soil so your grass can get the right combination of space and air but with support from solidity.

Think of top dressing as similar to varnishing a boat where several layers need to be thickly applied over time – so you'll need about 11 pounds of top dressing per 10 square foot.

You can do this using a top dresser which you roll along and that evenly distributes the top dressing for you, leaving the most ideal and even end result.

6. Overseed the lawn

If you leave your grass to grow on its own you may find other life muscles in on that and overpowers the grass. This can lead to moss and weeds. Tackle this by supporting your lawn with more grass seeds on a regular basis.

Towards fall is a good time to overseed as this allows the new seed to set in ahead of the cold when other potential space poachers, like weeds, can be killed off by the cold. That can mean you come back into the spring and summer with a thicker and more consistent lawn next year.

You can seed by hand, use boxes with built-in spouts, or use a seed spreader if you have one or want to invest to cover larger areas more easily and evenly.

7. Clear your leaves

This one is easy to remember as you mustn't leave leaves. Should you let the leaves lie on top of the grass after that fall, they can block the grass from light, air and even water. This can kill the grass and change the soil as that mulches into compost. Sure compost can be a good thing, but it won't help on your grass as that'll die and become a part of the compost.

Use a rake or leaf blower to keep your grass clear during the fall to ensure that lawn has access to light, air and water. This will set you up for a stronger lawn with a better chance of surviving the winter season.

You can then follow our guide to how to use leaf mulch for lawn fertilizer so you can turn the fallen leaves into a natural fertilizer. This will replenish the soil with any lost nutrients, to promote healthy, greener grass when spring comes back around.

8. Keep off the grass

The last tip is the simplest one to follow: stay off the grass during the winter months. You don't have to avoid walking on the lawn entirely, don't fret. This is the time of year when a frost will set in and the grass can become hard and consequently more brittle. This is when any heavy footed visitors can cause damage to the grass which is effectively hibernating for the winter.

You can actively protect your lawn from frost damage too. As long as you've levelled your lawn as noted above, this will avoid frozen water swell damage. You can also set up wind breaks which help to keep the lawn temperature from dropping too low if you get a lot of wind. Not to be a killjoy, but leaving a snowman up can also cause damage to that area, so think about where you build yours. Lastly, of course, don't cut the grass – it's sleeping.

What should I put on my lawn in fall?

If you want to improve the quality and appearance of your lawn, fertilizing can help to provide green growth and combat diseases. A well fertilized lawn will help to prevent damage to root and blades of grass, too.

How do I fertilize my lawn in the fall?

You can usually apply fertilizer to wet grass, by spreading it evenly across the lawn. Our lawns are hungry at this time of year and will establish their root systems during this period.

A day or two after applying fertilizing you can water your lawn. This will rinse fertilizer off the grass blades and into the soil.

When should you overseed your lawn?

Overseeding the lawn is better done at the start of fall, well ahead of the first frosts. September is the best month in the year to overseed your lawn, early October at most if you want to give the seeds the best chance.

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18 Easy Grass Alternatives For Your Lawn

Photo: istockphoto.Com

Americans love our lawns, and we would like to save some time maintaining those green spaces while also maintaining curb appeal. Grass lawns have a useful purpose in the landscape as play spaces and for their cooling effects. But a large lawn can take some time, water, and mowing to maintain. Plenty of folks are considering replacing some or all of their turf with lawn alternatives for a more sustainable landscape, especially in drought-prone areas.

If you've got the itch to ditch your grass, we've got plenty of grass replacement options other than artificial grass. Some of the most luxurious, green, and well-designed yards you've ever seen don't have a single blade of grass, and are super easy to maintain.

Why You Should Consider Sustainable Lawn Alternatives

Depending on where you live, 30 percent to 50 percent of your household water use goes to turf and other landscaping. With drought patterns changing and water shortages a reality, even in American cities, we all could adopt some of the Southwest's xeriscaping principles to do our part for the environment and our monthly water bills.

Just beware of a big misconception about xeriscaping: It means making landscapes more waterwise and appropriate for the local environment. It doesn't mean pulling out all the grass and replacing it with gravel. But lawns that include too much grass, the wrong type of grass, or grass in a bad spot require more water and maintenance than is sustainable. When you think about lowering water usage and lawn care, start with these steps before perusing the easy-care lawn alternatives that follow.

Thinking about replacing your grass lawn? Here are small steps you can take to get started:

Removing turf areas on slopes, where water runs off.

Taking out narrow strips of grass, especially in "nuisance strips" near the sidewalk.

Evaluating whether your turf is made of high-water-use grass mixes.

Removing grass in corners of the lawn, or awkwardly shaped areas that are difficult to water and mow.

Getting rid of grass along fences.

Keeping appropriate use of grass lawns, like the areas where the kids play, helps cool patios and the house.

Reducing the amount of grass on your property, especially where it doesn't grow as well (like under trees).

Need a hand?

Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from lawn service professionals near you.

+ Sustainable Alternatives to Grass Lawns

The best alternatives to grass lawns vary depending on how much lawn you want to replace, the climate in which you live, shade or other conditions in the yard, and personal preference. Get inspiration for your space from The these design ideas and plant selections—there's sure to be ideas here that work for your situation.

1. Native Turf Grasses

Photo: americanmeadows.Com

One of the reasons many lawns use so much water is that the planted grass is not the best fit for the region where it grows. When replacing a water-thirsty lawn, consider alternative native grasses. Drought-tolerant options include buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, bahiagrass, and blue grama. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, developed a native turfgrass mixture for the dry regions of the Southwest called Habiturf, and found it looks and feels much like hybrid turf grasses.

Even though native grasses use less water, most do require some irrigation, mowing, and maintenance. Still, a grass adapted for your region and climate is the least amount of work and the most sustainable for any remaining turf areas of the landscape.

RELATED: 6 Pro Tips for Successful Container Gardening

2. Veronica

Photo: provenwinnersdirect.Com

Veronica, or Speedwell, is a diverse, sturdy, and evergreen ground cover option for homeowners seeking grass replacement. Once the low-grower (1 to 2 inches high) spreads, it forms a dense cover of small, succulent-like leaves and late spring to early summer flowers. Veronica Snowmass (Blue-eyed Speedwell) loads up with tiny white-petaled flowers with blue eyes. Veronica Waterperry Blue grows a little larger (about 5 inches high) in zones 4 through 8 and its leaves have copper undertones, while the flowers have lavender petals and white eyes. Turkish speedwell has purplish-blue flowers and grows to nearly 2 inches tall.

Most types of Veronica can grow in full sun in zones 3 through 10 and are deer-resistant plants. They fill in well between flagstones or gaps, and need little to no maintenance once they're established.

3. Gravel

For a simple solution to neglected areas of the yard—like those strips of grass along the side of the house ,and shady areas—replace your grass with gravel. Gravel mulch is effective around plants that love heat and can tolerate low water. With some creativity, you can add color or patterns with crushed fine or pea gravel, creating a useful path at the same time.

Beware of using gravel in highly sunny spots, however, like near the west side of a house, because it can actually can increase temperatures around house walls. You might save on water but pay more to cool the home, or unwittingly make your favorite porch or patio unbearably hot in summer.

RELATED: 12 Backyard Updates You Can Do in a Day

4. Raised Edible Gardens

Photo: Zillow Digs home in Paoli, PA

Converting an awkward area of the lawn into a vegetable and herb garden with raised planters provides a variety of benefits: You will likely save water on growing vegetables by filling the raised beds with soil that's more suited to the plants than local soils offer. Instead of wasting water spraying the sidewalk next to a strangely shaped portion of grass, use soaker hoses or a simple drip irrigation system to water your vegetables and fill your plates.

Growing your own food can end up saving you money (and trips to the store), and you can't get fresher, more locally grown veggies. Be sure to check local regulations regarding edible gardens, however, before ripping out the lawn and replacing it with raised beds, particularly if you're situating the beds in your front yard.

RELATED: Landscape Edging: 10 Easy Ways to Set Your Garden Beds Apart

5. Bugleweed

When it comes to grass replacement for shady areas of the landscape, it's hard to beat bugleweed (Ajuga reptans). Its alternative name of Carpet Bugle gives a clue to how well this flowering ground cover spreads by runners. Amazingly, bugleweed can grow in spots with full sun, but it actually performs better in shade. Plant this evergreen to semi-evergreen creeping plant if you need a grass alternative that can handle changing sunlight conditions.

Its showy leaves (for example, gray-green in Silver Beauty, variegated with Toffee Chip, and deep red in Mahogany) look most attractive spilling over boulders in rock gardens. Keep its slightly acidic soil just moist and enjoy the colorful foliage and tiny bluish-purple flower stalks in mid to late spring.

6. Mulch

Organic mulches like cedar or pine bark chips can replace grass quite easily for a rustic ground cover. Plus, organic mulch eventually breaks down to improve soil health below. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch cuts down on weeds and reduces the amount of water needed by trees or other plants it surrounds. Before you lay the mulch down, place permeable landscaping cloth on the bare soil to prevent weeds from growing to the surface. Dog owners should avoid Cocoa mulch, because it can be lethal to pooches.

RELATED: How to Make Your Own Mulch

7. Culinary Herbs

Home chefs, why not replace your grass with some ground covers that double as kitchen staples and pollinator magnets? Many of the plants in this list are herbs and can spread prolifically (sometimes too much, in the case of mint). Take time to research those that are edible and grow in your area for a lawn-turned-herb-garden. Greek oregano is cold-hardy to nearly zone 5A, spreads well, reaches at least 6 inches high, and tastes delicious on pizza. Sweet woodruff creates a dense mat of lightly scented leaves that become more aromatic when dried; it grows to about 6 to 12 inches high.

Another herb favorite for ground cover is Corsican mint, which grows almost at ground level and handles full sun to part shade in zones 6 through 9; its leaves create the flavor in crème de menthe. A German chamomile lawn will reach nearly 2 feet high and fill with daisy-like flowers. Even culinary thyme can spread to cover a bare spot and emit its unique fragrance. If left to flower, its tiny light purple blooms attract pollinators. Although culinary herbs might require some pruning or control, clipping stalks to use in dishes or mint juleps can make it all worthwhile.

RELATED: 15 Perennial Herbs to Grow in Your Yard

8. Hardscaping

Tired of mowing? Turn your backyard into a hardscaped jungle with a lovely new patio, walkway, or other hardscaping project. Stamped concrete, patio pavers, or natural stone can create a stunning and functional space. Surround the perimeter with lush ornamental grasses, colorful flowers, or low-water natives. Or brighten the space with a few well-placed containers brimming with greenery. You won't even miss that section of lawn.

RELATED: 10 Ways to Dress Up a Drab Concrete Patio

9. Creeping Thyme

For some home gardeners, a property that's full of rainbow of blooms is a crowning achievement, but for others, simplicity is perfection. If no-nonsense greenery is your idea of great design, replace the lawn with a low-growing perennial like creeping thyme or wooly thyme. Creeping varieties usually flower heavily with delicate white, purple, or pink flowers. Wooly thyme forms a dense mat of tiny gray-green leaves. Both fill in well between pavers or other strips. Like grass, these ground covers can stand up to foot traffic but with the added advantage of being mow-free.

RELATED: The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden

10. Rock Garden

To achieve a mix of colors and textures, create a rock garden with stones and flowers. Choose native flowers for the easiest care. The rugged simplicity of the rocks will contrast nicely with the vibrant blooms, creating a one-of-a-kind backyard feature. Plus, once the flowers fade off in the winter, you'll still enjoy the visual interest of the boulders scattered throughout your property.

RELATED: The Best Places to Buy Plants Online

11. Walk-on Plants

Like creeping thyme and other plants on this list, plenty of lesser-known low growers can handle foot traffic. Use these plants as grass alternatives in areas that get some—but not too much—foot traffic, like on the way to garden beds or between pavers or flagstones. Some nurseries separate "steppable" plants so you can easily find the best ones for your area.

A few examples of ground covers that tolerate some foot traffic are Shamrock Clover (Trifolium), which has two-toned green clover leaves and flowers in early summer in zones 4 through 9, and dwarf Mondo grass (also called monkey grass). Its evergreen tufts and small summer flowers need little maintenance and no mowing. It can grow in sun or part shade, like under trees, in zones 7 through 10. Blue Star Creeper, or Laurentia fluviatilis, thrives in zones 5 to 9 as an evergreen or semi-evergreen spreader less than an inch high and able to take some pounding from feet. Sky-blue flowers appear from spring through fall.

12. An Outdoor Living Space

Expand your living space to the outdoors and replace some turf with living spaces that integrate outdoor furniture and appliances: Put some patio furniture together and make a second living room, build a dedicated fire pit, or install an outdoor kitchen. As the pandemic limited activities, a 2021 survey found that 90 percent of Americans with outdoor living spaces like decks, porches, and patios were using them more.

RELATED: 25 Ways to Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space for Almost Nothing

13. Moss-like Spreaders

Photo: greatgardenplants.Com

Homeowners who like turf's "green carpet" look but do not like mowing can pull out grass and replace it with a carpet of moss-like ground cover; in return, they get a yard with easier care and less watering. Though true moss thrives in wet shade, these moss look-alikes are versatile and easy-care grass alternatives.

Irish moss (Sagina subulata) grows rapidly to form a dense, low mat of green to dark green foliage along the ground. It can produce tiny white flowers in spring to mid-summer in zones 4 to 8. For a dense neon-yellow carpet effect, try yellow Scotch moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea'), which grows in full sun or part shade in zones 4 through 8. These plants are not drought-tolerant, but are low-maintenance and rapidly growing alternatives to grass.

RELATED: 8 Plants You Can Grow Without Soil

14. A Water Feature

Water features are fairly easy to maintain, and they create a visual focal point in your garden. Consider replacing some of your grass with a fountain, pond, or super-sized bird bath. A water feature is not the most eco-friendly alternative to grass, especially in hot and dry areas, but bird baths and small fountains can offer focal points in a landscape and soothing white noise to block out sounds of traffic.

When done right, a water feature can attract birds and other wildlife to the yard. In desert areas, create a dry river bed that doubles as a director of runoff from a roof or high areas of the yard down to trees or other plants.

RELATED: Buyer's Guide: The Best Outdoor Fountains

15. Ornamental Grasses

If you're not ready to part with grass completely, make a show-stopping display with ornamental grasses. The long blades are a low-maintenance alternative to a traditional lawn, requiring only occasional trimming, but growing best in no-traffic areas or next to paths. Most are drought-tolerant, many are native, and they provide winter interest as their stems fade but "flowers" (seed stalks) remain to blow in the wind and feed birds as temperatures drop.

Although there are plenty of varieties to choose from at home and garden centers, select those with low-maintenance and low-water requirements that thrive in your area. The foliage of Little Bluestem turns from bluish-green in summer to reddish purple in fall in zones 3 through 8. Indian Grass is another low-water ornamental grass that grows to nearly 8 feet high with bronze seeds in fall to feed songbirds.

RELATED: Could a Ban on Ornamental Grasses Aid Water Conservation?

16. Appropriate Shade Trees

One of the drawbacks of removing a lawn is that it also takes away cooling effects on the yard, and even the house. Offset it with a vertical oasis of trees, which also offer privacy, shade, wind breaks, and even air purification. The sustainable path here, however, is to choose trees that are local to your area and that will require the least amount of water. Drought-tolerant Northern Red Oak grows quickly, offers fall color, and grows in zones 3 through 8. Scots Pine can handle low water after the first year, is evergreen, and grows in zones 3 through 7.

Note that trees can take years to mature to their full height. If you convert your grass lawn to gravel or hardscaping, avoid placing plastic weed barriers around a tree, which can deplete roots of oxygen and water. Be sure to choose a permeable woven fabric (and even permeable pavers) if you place these materials on the ground below the tree's expected canopy size.

RELATED: 11 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy

17. Native Wildflower Meadow

A native wildflower meadow can look lush and colorful, but can save some time and water over thirsty turf lawns. Try taking out a partial section of lawn, like the areas along fences or paths that are more difficult to mow, or along property lines and seed it with wildflowers. A mini-meadow provides a focal point for the landscape, a magnet for pollinators, plus some cut flowers to bring inside in summer.

This lawn alternative takes a little more work than some, especially upfront to prepare the former area of lawn to clear weeds and grass. Most seed mixes contain both annual and perennial flowers, and often will reseed year after year, cutting down on subsequent maintenance. And even though the wildflowers might require a little watering and upkeep, the result of that work is a natural habitat for birds and butterflies.

RELATED: 17 Types of Wildflowers Every Home Gardener Should Know

18. Container Garden

If you love growing flowers or food, trade in your lawn mower and for a simple spade and watering can. A container garden is a good alternative to a lawn in areas where conditions change as summer progresses. It's easy to move a plastic pot in or out of shade. Although containers can dry out faster than garden beds, the growing area is confined and easy to water by hand, avoiding the waste of water evaporating from lawn sprinklers.

Position colorful planters throughout the yard for welcoming cheer and color, especially in areas where you already replaced turf with gravel or hardscaping.

Need a hand?

Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from lawn service professionals near you.

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