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Nothing can beat the satisfaction of walking barefoot on your lawn with luscious verdant color. It can offer a sense of relaxation and peace of mind. However, having a beautiful lawn takes a lot of effort and expenditure on fuel for the mower and the purchase of pesticides and fertilizers. A standard lawn needs regular maintenance and mowing, resulting in the emission of toxic chemicals that are not good for the environment. There are alternatives to conventional lawns through ground cover plants.
The works that it needs to take to replace your lawn with plant alternatives are not easy, but your hard work will surely pay off. It does not matter whether you have a small or large lawn as there are wide varieties of ground cover plants for you. The following are low maintenance plant alternatives for you.
1. Ornamental Grasses as Ground Cover Plants
You can reduce your lawn area to take care of by planting half of it with ornamental ground cover plants. They are drought-resistant and grow in different soil types with no need or little expense for fertilizer. One can save time and money because they do not require pesticides. After all, these grasses are disease and pest resistant.
Pros:
- No need for mowing: This type of grass is different from traditional turfgrass. Each type has its unique shape and shades of green. They can hold their shape and stay upright even during cold weather conditions.
- Does not spread: It is highly recommended for busy lawn owners because they do not require constant upkeep as they are effortless to control.
Cons:
- Foot traffic: The drawback of ornamental ground cover plants is that they cannot handle foot traffic. It needs an area where there is no foot traffic at all. Walking over them will create huge damage to the grass.
2. Moss as Ground Cover Plants
Planting moss bed is very simple, and it is low maintenance and does not require mowing or watering as long as it is placed in a shady part of the lawn. It can offer a striking look for velvety and soft moss.
Pros:
- No need for mowing: Each type of moss will not grow very tall and stays low throughout its lifetime and can only grow one inch. It means that you do not need ever to fuel and use your mower.
- Resilient: Most moss is not as sturdy as turf grasses, but it can withstand little foot traffic.
- Varieties: One can choose from different types of mosses, and each type can offer a different look, texture, and thickness. You may combine different types of moss to create a unique visual display.
- Easy Planting: The beauty of planting moss is the fact that they can easily spread. To start a moss bed, all you need to do is press the moss plug with complete roots into the soil for about six inches deep.
Cons:
- Love Shade- It can be pros or cons, depending on where you want to plant the moss. They love the shade and do not thrive well with direct sunlight. Before installation, make sure that the place is cool and with enough shade.
3. Creeping Charlie
Although some know it as frustrating weeds, it is a good option as ground cover plants if you want a low maintenance grass.
Pros:
- No need for mowing, watering, and fertilizing: The truth about creeping charlie is that you do not need to care for it at all after planting.
- Sturdy: If you have children and pets at home, then this is the best ground cover plants for you. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and as sturdy as traditional turf.
- Comfort: If you like to hang around the garden and spend some time rolling around, then creeping charlie can provide a thick and cushion effect that is good for an afternoon nap with the kids.
Cons:
- Easily spread: As its name implies, creeping charlie can spread at a different level. You can create a border to make the plant stay in just one area of the garden.
4. Sweet Woodruff as Ground Cover Plants
If you want something useful besides giving good looking ground cover plants, you can opt for sweet woodruff that can offer a sweet aroma that resembles vanilla. It is a type of herb that you can use as an air freshener for your home.
Pros:
- No need for mowing and watering: It only grows to a specific height, and no need for constant watering depending on your region.
Cons:
- Requires shade: Again, depending on the location, the best area is cool and shady parts of the garden.
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