Coastal Lawn Substitute -- zero maintenance - Ask Extension
Senior father can no longer maintain his multi-acre lawn, which he kept groomed like a golf course fairway, mowing twice a week. I am researching near...
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Coastal Lawn Substitute -- zero maintenance #922599
Asked December 02, 2025, 1:43 PM EST
Senior father can no longer maintain his multi-acre lawn, which he kept groomed like a golf course fairway, mowing twice a week. I am researching near zero maintenance ground cover to overtake the grass -- including micro-clover or Dichondra (unsure of most appropriate variety -- micrantha, possible flea beetle problem?; microcalyx?; repens?). Prefer low flowering, to minimize bee stings; with average height less than 4 in. Climbing variety is problem for numerous trees and rhododendron. Durability is irrelevant since walkways will be filled in, with wood chips or gravel.
Please advise on best recommendations. Thank you in advance for sharing your expertise.
LOCATION: 1/2 mi. from coastal bay.
Tillamook County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for your question.
There are some good alternatives for traditional lawns. Have you heard about ecolawn, a mix of grass and broadleaf species that require less water and less mowing? Here is some good information about eco lawns from Oregon State Extension - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/ecolawn-less-work-water
Here also is is another source of information about clover lawns from Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State Extension turf expert - https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/home/article/need-bit-luck-turn-clover-lawn
A couple of potential sources of seeds for nontraditional lawns are:
- Ecology Lawn Mix, Northern - Nichols Garden Nursery, Philomath OR, https://nicholsgardennursery.com/products/northern-ecology-lawn-mix
- Ecology & Alternative Lawns - PT Lawn Seed - Portland OR, https://ptlawnseed.com/collections/eco-and-alternative-lawns
You could also plant some Oregon native plants. Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication - "Gardening with Oregon Native Plants West of the Cascades" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1577-gardening-oregon-native-plants-west-cascades. Check out the "Groundcovers" section.
There are some good alternatives for traditional lawns. Have you heard about ecolawn, a mix of grass and broadleaf species that require less water and less mowing? Here is some good information about eco lawns from Oregon State Extension - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/ecolawn-less-work-water
Here also is is another source of information about clover lawns from Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State Extension turf expert - https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/home/article/need-bit-luck-turn-clover-lawn
A couple of potential sources of seeds for nontraditional lawns are:
- Ecology Lawn Mix, Northern - Nichols Garden Nursery, Philomath OR, https://nicholsgardennursery.com/products/northern-ecology-lawn-mix
- Ecology & Alternative Lawns - PT Lawn Seed - Portland OR, https://ptlawnseed.com/collections/eco-and-alternative-lawns
You could also plant some Oregon native plants. Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication - "Gardening with Oregon Native Plants West of the Cascades" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1577-gardening-oregon-native-plants-west-cascades. Check out the "Groundcovers" section.
