Grass or Grass Alternative: What Makes Sense for Your Yard?
After months of seeing your yard turn into a mud pit or swamp under winter’s relentless rains, you may be dreaming of a lush, green lawn to take you into the summer. Before you toss down the grass seed, put some thought into how much maintenance you’re willing to put into your lawn or how much it matters to you if all the green is natural or synthetic. There’s a lot to consider in choosing and caring for your lawn. Landscape East & West is here to help you make the right choice.
Start by asking yourself who uses your yard and what activities occur there. Pets and kids are hard on natural grass. We’ve all seen the yellowed, dried patches in yards from dogs relieving themselves or from the kiddie pool set out for hot summer days. Plus, the games of fetch and soccer have a way of tearing up the lawn. If this is your family, you may want to consider something synthetic.
Synthetic Grass Pros and Cons
Synthetic grasses have come a long way from the plastic of early turf. Most are nylon and made in carpet factories to provide a tight weave and softer feel, meaning no more rug burns if you slide into home base. The benefits of turf are many:
- Resists drought and stays green all year round
- Works well in shady areas where grass wouldn’t grow
- Requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizer
- Antimicrobial turf makes pet waste clean-up easy
While turf may seem to be the dream alternative to grass, there are drawbacks. The first is cost. Grass seed and sod are more budget-friendly options. No matter how well it’s made, you can still tell if you’re looking at turf, and if decreasing your carbon footprint is a priority, consider that turf eventually ends up in a landfill. Synthetic grass can also be hot underfoot in direct sunlight.
Natural Grass Pros and Cons
Just as synthetic grass can be one person’s dream and another person’s nightmare, natural grass has pluses and minuses. On the plus side:
- Keeps your yard and surrounding area cooler on hot summer days
- Absorbs rainwater, reducing runoff
- For traditionalists, it adds to the curb appeal of your home
- For those who like to dig in the dirt, lawn care can be meditative
The obvious downside is that lawns require regular care, which will either take up your time or money if you hire professional landscapers. Grass attracts bugs and other pests, which may be unappealing, and it can cause allergies to flare. Finally, the irrigation required to keep that lawn lush can spike your water bill.
Types of Natural Grass
If you decide natural grass is the way to go, you still have choices to make. There is not just a single type of grass that works in the Pacific Northwest, but rather a wide variety that each thrives in different conditions. In our region, the most common types are Fescue, Ryegrass, or a Fescue/Rye blend.
For shady areas with minimal foot traffic, Fine Fescue is a good option. Once established, it is drought-resistant and has a soft look and feel similar to a forest floor. Tall Fescue offers drought tolerance and grows well in shady areas, but it can also thrive in sunny spots. With its coarser texture, it can support greater wear and tear.
If you’ve been waiting too long to decide what you want and need a green lawn now, turn to perennial ryegrass. It germinates quickly and thrives in sunlight, offering a vibrant green color. It needs water and fertilizer, but can withstand moderate to heavy foot traffic.
With most lawns in the northwest, there is a combination of full sun and shade. A blend of fine fescue and perennial rye might be just the right combination to keep that lawn full and vibrant all year.
Grass Alternatives
What do you do if your inner environmentalist just can’t comprehend turf, but you cringe at the thought of spending your summer behind a lawn mower? You are the perfect candidate for grass alternatives—green ground cover that requires little to no maintenance.
At Landscape East & West, we’re seeing more homeowners turning to carefree lawn alternatives like:
Microclover: This option is particularly good for the Pacific Northwest as it handles rain and can grow in partial shade. It stays nice and green all summer and can withstand light foot traffic.
Moss: A lush, dense, bright green option that thrives in cooler shade. It is meant to be more decorative than for high-use areas.
Creeping Thyme: For bright, sunny spaces, this is an excellent option as it’s drought-tolerant and low-growing. As a bonus, it’s pollinator-friendly and fragrant.
Eco-Lawn blends: Made specifically for the Pacific Northwest, these are usually a mix of drought-tolerant fescues and clovers. They look like a meadow-style lawn and don’t need mowing often.
Of course, you can always skip the green lawn altogether and turn to crushed stone, pavers, bark, or mulch. Consider that these aren’t as nice underfoot, especially for yards where kids and dogs play.
If you need help deciding what will work best for your landscape, call us for a free consultation. We’ll not only look at your needs but also explore the condition of your soil, the slope of your yard, and other environmental factors that may dictate your options. Once a choice is made, call us for your lawn care service. We can prepare the ground, set up an irrigation system, install the ground cover, and set up a maintenance schedule to keep your landscape looking beautiful for years to come.
