no-mow grass alternative for lawns... and what's this stuff? - Ask Extension
I am interested in a no-mow lawn, but before I go to the effort of killing everything that grows and planting something new, I am hoping you can help ...
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no-mow grass alternative for lawns... and what's this stuff? #715412
Asked August 19, 2020, 5:34 PM EDT
I am interested in a no-mow lawn, but before I go to the effort of killing everything that grows and planting something new, I am hoping you can help me identify what's already taking over, and if I should just let it be my new lawn! It's really seized control since we cut down a tree and turned a shady yard to a sunny yard and all our moss died. The plant might be some kind of microscopic clover, the flowers are almost too small to be seen. Our soil is poor and we've been very dry. If this is a good plant, I'll keep it and encourage it! If not, please suggest something that I can plant instead of grass (it needs to be low maintenance, and prefer sun, but will see only light occasional foot traffic. Bonus points if it's a good plant for wildlife.) Thank you so much!!! Julia
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Julia,
This plant is called common lespedeza or Japanese clover. It is a non-native plant that tends to show up in thin lawns with poor soil fertility. It is a summer annual plant, which means it will complete its life cycle in one year and then die down after it disperses seeds. So, if you weren't to manage it, you will likely see it year after year from re-seeding. It will not persist year-round.
For a "no-mow" lawn, there really are not many options for plants that can handle foot-traffic. You might want to think about renovating just a small portion of the lawn that you will really use for recreation, and then convert other areas to other types of ground cover plants. We have alternative ground cover options listed on the following pages of our website. There are some low-growing options (like phlox, pussytoes), but they are not plants that you would step on, like a lawn.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-alternatives
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/groundcover-list
Montgomery County's pesticide law bans the use of most synthetic pesticides (including herbicides) on private lawns, so you will have to take that into account in how you proceed with renovating this area. Organic herbicides are allowed. Go to the following website for information regarding the law and organic lawn care information, www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/lawns. You also can as the county office your questions. Email <personal data hidden> or call<personal data hidden>.
You could also use physical methods of removing this weed growth (e.g., smothering, using a sod cutter), https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-turfgrass-removal-methods
If you do decide to go with re-establishing turfgrass in all or a portion of this area, we recommend starting with a soil test to check the pH and soil fertility and choose a high-quality turfgrass. Turf-type tall fescue is best for sunny lawns, but you will need to improve and manage the soil fertility.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/soil-testing
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/best-practices-lawn-care
You mentioned also your interest in planting to support wildlife. A sunny location like you have would be ideal for establishing a pollinator garden. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/pollinator-gardens
Those are some options to consider and we would be happy to answer any further questions you have along the way.
Christa
This plant is called common lespedeza or Japanese clover. It is a non-native plant that tends to show up in thin lawns with poor soil fertility. It is a summer annual plant, which means it will complete its life cycle in one year and then die down after it disperses seeds. So, if you weren't to manage it, you will likely see it year after year from re-seeding. It will not persist year-round.
For a "no-mow" lawn, there really are not many options for plants that can handle foot-traffic. You might want to think about renovating just a small portion of the lawn that you will really use for recreation, and then convert other areas to other types of ground cover plants. We have alternative ground cover options listed on the following pages of our website. There are some low-growing options (like phlox, pussytoes), but they are not plants that you would step on, like a lawn.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-alternatives
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/groundcover-list
Montgomery County's pesticide law bans the use of most synthetic pesticides (including herbicides) on private lawns, so you will have to take that into account in how you proceed with renovating this area. Organic herbicides are allowed. Go to the following website for information regarding the law and organic lawn care information, www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/lawns. You also can as the county office your questions. Email <personal data hidden> or call<personal data hidden>.
You could also use physical methods of removing this weed growth (e.g., smothering, using a sod cutter), https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-turfgrass-removal-methods
If you do decide to go with re-establishing turfgrass in all or a portion of this area, we recommend starting with a soil test to check the pH and soil fertility and choose a high-quality turfgrass. Turf-type tall fescue is best for sunny lawns, but you will need to improve and manage the soil fertility.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/soil-testing
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/best-practices-lawn-care
You mentioned also your interest in planting to support wildlife. A sunny location like you have would be ideal for establishing a pollinator garden. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/pollinator-gardens
Those are some options to consider and we would be happy to answer any further questions you have along the way.
Christa
