I want to kill.............

[Alicia Leonard]

my lawn. There, I said it. I love the natural landscaping so many people in SoWal enjoy. No more grass. No more lawnmower. No more paying someone to cut my grass because I keep blowing up lawnmowers. Native plants and ground cover are what I crave. I have started killing the grass in my front yard with black plastic and old newspaper. I have one flowerbed done an I love it.
Any advice on native plants and designs or other stuff? Like what to say to my neighbors, because they think I've gone BSC?

 

[DD]

Bravo for you AL!!! I would soooooo love to do this!! Mr. DD would have a freakin' stroke though. He loves his lawn. But, you can be sure if I ever move from here and buy another house, it will be new construction with NO lawn! I'll put what I want and have no lawn mower. I just hired a guy to mow our lawn for the rest of the summer because Mr. DD's got sciatica and Lord knows I ain't gonna mow it. Can't give you much advice on the natives of Florida, but PLEASE post some pics when you're done!!

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I'll post a pic of the one corner I have done tomorrow, and I'm so glad I'm not alone. I'm sure it's just one more check-mark in the weird category I'll get from neighbors, but I think it looks better. My hubby dosen't care. He hates yard work. I like working in my yard, but I just don't like the grass thing. People used to not have lawns like we do now. I love Jdarg's yard, and others that are similar. It just looks natural, but classy.

I don't think I'll go this far though: You know this is hot in the summer.

 

[DD]

I think it's a movement, albeit a small one. Around here anyway. Texans luuuuuuuuuuuuv their lawns! But, I have noticed a few businesses and some homeowners going to natural landscapes and they always look so great! Can't wait to see it!!

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Cool articles:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/go-dry-movement-spreads-californians-rip-grass.php
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hom...green-ladwp-lawn-rebate-drought-tolerant.html
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jun/24/yanking-out-lawns-saves-water-and-money/

This is kinda of what I have in mind:

"And what is standing out now are those that have substantially modified their landscaping into non-lawn for the front yard," Stapleton says. "That is truly a deviation from what has been considered normal activity."

 

[Rita]

Alicia - look into various ornamental grasses to mix in. Some get large and will cover several square feet, add a "line" to your landscape and different texture. And some of the vines can lay across the ground instead of climbing on supports. I wish I was there - we could go through this together!

 

[DD]

Rita's a great resource, AL. And she's right about the grasses. There are many that I love, but the pink muhly grass is my favorite. So gorgeous en masse.


p.s.--i've seen it there.

 

[Miss Kitty]

You go, gull! Can't wait to see before and afters of your yard and your water bill!!!
There are a few houses in my hood that have adopted this plan. I hold them in high regard!

 

[Beach Runner]

We have zero irrigation needs at the beach house thanks to a seminar I attended given by Randy at what was then called The Gourd Garden.

In GA we had new sod laid down last summer before Lauren's wedding reception at our home. It was such an investment that the cost of irrigation pales in comparison to the landscaping costs.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I need more trees in the front, but I want to plant fruit trees to do double duty. I already have three apples, a lime and a lemon tree. Thinking about transplanting the lime and lemon to sunnier spots. I just showed this to my husband and he rolled his eyes, and said "OK, dear." He knows who cooks his steak. Thanks for the support, ladies.