Limit lawn to areas where it provides functional benefits. Lawn alternatives include decks, patios, ground covers, mulches, shrubs, native grasses, and wildflower meadows. Use Native Plants Look for native plants at your nursery or consult your nursery professional. Consider exposure to the sun, choose the right plant for the right place in your yard. Improve the Soil Build up sandy Soil with compost or other recycled material such as grass clipping, pine needles, or wood chip mulch.
Soil improvement enhances water absorption and increases water-holding capacity.
Use Mulches Mulches limit weed growth and retain moisture. Mulched planting beds are an excellent replacement for lawn. Organic mulches are wood chips, bark, pine needles, or leaves. Avoid using sheet plastic in mulched planting areas. Irrigate Efficiently Irrigate lawn areas separately from other plantings.