A well-maintained green space is essential for gardens, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes. While traditional lawn care can be challenging due to climate impacts, homeowners can explore alternative options like drought-resistant plants, flower meadows, or herb lawns. These alternatives offer ecological benefits and reduced maintenance requirements. Transitioning to these options can be a gradual process, and creative solutions like flower gravel lawns or moss lawns can enhance areas where grass struggles, providing cooling effects and improving drainage.
The Importance of a Well-Maintained Green Space
A vibrant green space is a crucial element in many gardens. According to Harald Nonn, chairman of the German Lawn Society, “Many lawn enthusiasts appreciate the calming green hues in their gardens. Beyond aesthetics, the lawn functions as an extension of the living room, providing space for various activities or simply a spot to unwind.”
However, maintaining a beautiful lawn requires significant effort. Nonn refers to mowing, fertilizing, and watering as the “triple challenge,” which is becoming increasingly demanding in many regions. “Due to climate change, ensuring an adequate water supply for lawns—which applies to all green spaces—has grown more challenging,” he notes.
Exploring Alternative Green Options
If growing and maintaining a traditional lawn proves too difficult, there are numerous green alternatives available.
Homeowners can embrace a lush area without solely depending on grass. In response to the hot summers of recent years, drought-resistant plants are gaining popularity, as highlighted by garden advisor Sven Görlitz from the Home Ownership Association. Those who prefer a more deliberate approach can design their gardens with a variety of plants. Depending on the specific location and intended use, options like flower meadows, herb gardens, or gravel lawns can be implemented.
While some may find the departure from grass unconventional, Nonn emphasizes the ecological benefits: “The flowers and herbs provide vital food sources and habitats for many insects.” He advocates for a harmonious blend of different garden designs.
One of the most significant shifts for lawn caretakers is adopting a flower meadow, which requires mowing only twice a year. However, Görlitz notes that while they are ecologically beneficial, they may not be ideal for all home gardens as they rely on self-seeding and require ample space.
As an alternative, consider a blend of grass with low-growing, trampling-resistant flowers and herbs. These mixtures can be tailored to include various grasses along with resilient, flowering plants, making them suitable not only for backyards but also for smaller front gardens. “Herb or flower lawns are not only environmentally friendly but also require minimal maintenance. There’s no need for fertilizing, watering, or scarifying,” Görlitz adds.
Steps to Transition to Alternative Lawns
Transitioning to herb or flower lawns can be a gradual process. Görlitz suggests this method as a second-best option compared to starting anew. “Simply sowing seeds into an existing lawn won’t yield the desired results.” He recommends thinning out the current grass, mowing less frequently, and filling bare patches with the new plants.
The lawn should be mowed every two to three weeks, with a tip from Görlitz to alternate between cutting some areas while allowing others to grow taller, fostering a diverse array of plant species.
Cost-Effective Gardening Solutions
For parking areas and shady spots, implementing a flower gravel lawn can be a fantastic option, according to biologist and author Ulrike Aufderheide. These areas can be stabilized with gravel, taking load-bearing needs into account, and then sown with native wild plants and grasses that flourish in dry, hot conditions.
Fragrant herbs such as thyme and oregano can also thrive in these spaces. Aufderheide notes, “Fragrant lawns are particularly appealing in areas where you spend more time, like sunbathing spots—offering an experience reminiscent of Provence.”
Transforming otherwise sealed areas into green spaces has numerous benefits. “These areas remain cooler during the summer months because plants release moisture, cooling the air. Additionally, rainwater doesn’t drain away quickly but instead seeps into the ground,” explains the garden planner.
For shady spots where grass struggles to grow, a moss lawn may be the perfect solution. Aufderheide clarifies, “Many assume that moss harms grass, but in reality, it’s the other way around: the moss thrives because no other plants can survive in that environment.”