Lawn alternatives

What to know before you grow

If I told you that making one change to your landscape could save you significant water, energy, money and time, would you be interested? What if I told you that someone would pay you to make this change or even do it for you? And finally, what if this change would benefit the environment in a multitude of ways?

Are you game?

I'm talking about replacing your lawn. You know, that highmaintenance thing that probably came with your house. The one you need to mow, clip, edge, aerate, feed, seed, weed and water.

This is an ideal time to replace your lawn. Not only will you conserve water, but you can also take advantage of special programs offered through the Marin Municipal and North Marin water districts.

These organizations have offered cash-for-grass incentives, free materials and even sheet mulch installation. (Sheet mulching is the process by which a lawn is snuffed out by applying layers of cardboard and mulch on top of it.) Look online to see what your water company is offering now.

What should you put where your lawn was?

Getting rid of a lawn is the easy part. Deciding what to put

If you can't bear the thought of a lawn-free existence, consider a California native sod mix (look online for vendors) or the catlin sedge (Carex texensis), a grass-like plant that works in sun or shade and only requires mowing once a year to keep it 4 to 6 inches tall.

there instead is often the headscratcher. Start by identifying exactly how you want to use the space.

Do you need to walk on that area or a portion of it? Do you want to sit in that area? Will your kids or dogs play there? Do you need to block or enhance a view? Want to start a vegetable garden? Or invite pollinators into the garden?

There are oodles of possibilities — and the answer depends on what you want or need.

Flat, fluffy, fluttery

Let's say you want something that replicates what your lawn was doing. No problem. There are many flat, low-water, walkable lawn alternatives.

If you can't bear the thought of a lawn-free existence, consider a California native sod mix (look online for vendors) or the catlin sedge (Carex texensis), a grass-like plant that works in sun or shade and only requires mowing once a year to keep it 4 to 6 inches tall.

Another walkable contender is silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae), a toughas-nails dense gray mat that snuffs out weeds as it clings to the ground, or reiter creeping thyme (Thymus reiter), which emits a lovely fragrance when gently stepped upon.

Or here's an idea: how about white clover (trifolium repens)? This “lawn weed” is easy and versatile. It grows in sun or shade, stays low and green all year and grows in poor soil. As an added bonus for dog lovers, it doesn't show pet urine stains. One note of caution: Be sure to get weedfree seed.

UC researchers helped study the irrigation needs of a walkable lawn alternative called Kurapia. It's fastgrowing, drought-proof and not picky about soil. Thanks to its extra-deep roots, it also helps stabilize steep slopes.

What if you'd like a grassy look but don't necessarily need to walk on it? In that case, you can opt for a fluffy look. And by fluffy, I mean larger grasses that grow up to a couple feet tall and gracefully bend and blow in the breeze.

Like their lower-growing cousins, many sedges work beautifully in this role. Dune sedge (Carex pansa), field sedge (Carex praegracilis) and foothill sedge (Carex tumulicola) are excellent options. For a charming springtime, meadow look, plant an expanse of any one of these, interspersed with a few boulders and lots of bulbs.

To dial things up further, consider adding plants that invite bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. There's nothing like the buzz and flutter of wings in the garden. Fortunately, there are many bodacious bloomers that hang out the welcome sign for these winged visitors.

To learn more, go to the Marin Master Gardeners' website and click on plants. You'll find many useful plant lists, complete with photos and growing instructions.

Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provide science- and researchbased information for home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@ marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases or call 415-473-4910 for drop-in hours. Subscribe to the Leaflet, UC Marin Master Gardener's free quarterly e-newsletter, at marinmg.ucanr.edu

COURTESY OF PLANTMASTER Silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae) is a durable alternative to grass that sprouts pretty yellow flowers in summer. It's walkable, droughttolerant and deer-resistant.

PHOTO BY GAIL MASON A garden filled with a variety of low-water perennials uses much less water than a lawn and invites bees, butterflies and hummingbirds into the garden.

PHOTO BY JO SHERLIN Kurapia is a drought-proof, fast-growing, easy-care groundcover that grows about an inch tall and develops deep roots. Bees love the spring-summer flowers, which you can leave on or mow.