Every homeowner dreams of a lush, beautiful lawn. But what if you simply can’t get your grass to grow? Read on to learn some easy grassless landscaping ideas.
Why Won’t My Grass Grow?
Grass needs plenty of water, quality soil and ample sunlight to survive and thrive. That said, even if you fertilize and water regularly, other issues could stand in the way.
Grass needs around five or six hours of sunlight every day. So, shaded areas aren’t an ideal environment for grass growth. This includes the secluded area on the side of your house and darker spots below trees.
In areas that endure heavy foot traffic, the soil can become compacted, which will inevitably stunt grass growth. Sometimes, however, a deeper underlying soil problem may be lying beneath the surface of your lawn. This might be a lack of essential nutrients, such as phosphorus or nitrogen. Or, in some cases, winter deicing salts may have runoff from your driveway and sidewalk into the surrounding soil.
You may also simply have the wrong kind of grass based on your location. In drier climates, homeowners should plant drought-resistant grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, fine-balanced fescues, buffalo grass or perennial ryegrass, which tend to tolerate dry weather much better.
If you’ve tried to get grass to grow with no apparent luck. There are some ways you can beautify bald spots so they blend better with your landscape.
Landscaping Ideas with No Grass
You can’t always get grass to grow in certain areas, but you can make up for it with some strategic landscaping techniques. Instead of just leaving an ugly bare spot in your yard, consider one of these simple landscaping ideas:
- Lay cement, wood or bricks over the area to create a patio.
- Swap in some attractive artificial turf.
- Create a cleaner look by adding wood chip mulch, which works great in grassless areas under trees.
- Create a small garden with shrubs or flowers, such as perennials which are easy, low-maintenance options.
- Cover the area with pebbles or rocks.
Raised Planters
Converting a bare lawn into a rock- or gravel-filled garden with raised planters provides plenty of great benefits. Since you’re not planting directly into the soil, you’ll reduce the need to till and weed. They demand less water than traditional container gardens and make vegetable harvesting a snap. They aren’t just for vegetables, however. Annuals, perennials and ornamental grasses do quite well in raised beds.
Add a Rock Garden
To achieve a nice blend of textures and colors, create a rock garden with flowers and large stones. The rugged simplicity of the stones will contrast beautifully with the vibrant blooms, creating a uniquely lovely backyard feature. And when the flowers fade away in the winter, you’ll still enjoy the textured look of mini-boulders scattered throughout your landscape.
Plant Some Moss
Depending on your landscape’s aesthetic, moss can be a great way to make sure your lawn remains lush year-round. Simply pull out your struggling grass and replace it with a velvety carpet of moss. You’ll get a yard that needs barely — if any — watering and the moss will generally thrive even in poor soil conditions.
Other Ideas
Depending on the location of the bare spot, you can place a peaceful gazebo or striking water feature over a bare patch. Easy to maintain, water features create an interesting focal point for your landscape. Consider replacing some of your struggling grass with a pond, fountains or a large, gorgeous birdbath.
As you can see, there are a number of ways to improve the appearance of bald patches in your yard. That said, the best way to deal with grassless areas is to reach out to a professional landscaper who can help get your grass to grow or come up with compelling ways to improve the area’s aesthetic. Just make sure to read customer reviews and ask to see their portfolio first to make sure they have the experience and expertise to help you get the most out of your struggling landscape.
At RMPS Landscaping in Castle Rock, we provide a complete spectrum of expert landscaping services, including hardscapes and stonework for those who struggle to maintain a healthy yard of grass. Contact us today to get started!
