resources for lawn alternatives
The Arboretum: www. arboretum.org/crescentfarm/lawn-alternatives
Armstrong Garden Centers: www.armstronggarden.com/pages/waterwise-lawn-grasses-and-grass-alternatives
California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/lawn_alternatives.php
Orange County Farm Supply: www.ocfarmsupply.com
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: www.rsabg.org/hidden-horticulture/32-native-gardening/615-turf-substitutes
Stover Seed Company: www.stoverseed.com/products_wildflowers.html
UC Riverside Botanic Gardens: gardens.ucr.edu
The Arboretum: www. arboretum.org/crescentfarm/lawn-alternatives
Armstrong Garden Centers: www.armstronggarden.com/pages/waterwise-lawn-grasses-and-grass-alternatives
California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/lawn_alternatives.php
Orange County Farm Supply: www.ocfarmsupply.com
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: www.rsabg.org/hidden-horticulture/32-native-gardening/615-turf-substitutes
Stover Seed Company: www.stoverseed.com/products_wildflowers.html
UC Riverside Botanic Gardens: gardens.ucr.edu
While the abundance of rain this winter has been welcome, it should not deter homeowners from re-examining their lawn options, according to horticulturists and gardening experts.
“Do we still need to conserve water? Of course we do,” said Jill Morganelli, Los Angeles Arboretum horticultural supervisor. “Apparently, Northern California no longer is in a drought, but (much of) Southern California still is. Yes, Los Angeles has exceeded its rainfall for the year, and that’s phenomenal, but before I concede anything, I would like to see a few more years of rain.”
Carol Bornstein, director of the Nature Gardens at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, said the region has been in a winter drought for years, and it technically isn’t over.
“We have normal summer drought because that’s part of our Mediterranean climate,” said Bornstein, co-author of “California Native Plants for the Garden” and “Reimagining the California Lawn: Water-Conserving Practices, Plants and Designs. “What has been unusual the last five years is that we didn’t get our normal allotment of rain during the rainy season.”
Area homeowners have spent years contending with water restrictions and dead-to-dying landscapes, and trying to figure out creative ways to beautify their yards. Everyone, Bornstein said, should continue the good habits of saving water everywhere possible.
“The groundwater hasn’t been recharged yet,” she said, “and the issue of water conservation continues.”
Also, she adds, everyone should think about the yearlong cycle of landscaping and the entire ecosystem, which includes sustainable steps of designing and caring for climate-appropriate gardens and yards. Invite beneficial insects and birds. Cut back or eliminate the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Compost. Mulch.
“There really is too much emphasis placed on water,” she said. “Water is just part of the equation.”
There are plenty of alternatives, including the use of cool- and warm-season grasses, creating a colorful four-season meadow with California-native seeds, and planting evergreen options using low-growing groundcovers and shrubs, according to Morganelli. Her top five lawn alternative choices are blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), meadow sage (Cares praegracilis), Kurapia (Lippia nodiflora), superb Grevillea (Grevillea x “Superb”) and pearl bluebush (Maireana sedifolia).
And, if you must have a “lawn-looking” lawn, she said, opt for St. Augustine grass.
Need more choices? Investigate bladderpod (Isomeris arborea), Ceanothus, and a good meadow mix from Stover Seed Co.
Morganelli said that those who can’t completely let go of their lawns should learn more about caring for them. For example, most only need to be watered twice a week and some not even that much.
“Lawns can be big green blank nothings,” she said. “I think maybe a third of your yard can be lawn so the kids and dogs can play on it, but then use the rest for other things. Install swales. Design permeable hardscapes. The better habitat you build, the more flowers grow and the more wildlife it attracts. Together it adds immediate interest.”
Those still wanting a lawn also have alternatives, according to Brian Burckley of Orange County Farm Supply in Orange.
“Customers interested in starting a lawn may consider more drought-tolerant options like hybrid Bermuda (requires full sun) or St. Augustine (tolerates shade). Both of these types do go dormant in the cold weather but return in the spring and are self-repairing and ideal for dog owners,” he said in an email. “They can also do something like buffalo grass, which is drought-tolerant but requires full sun. Each of these will require water approximately every 1½ weeks in the summer and every two weeks in the winter depending on weather conditions.”
These grasses can be found in sod or seed with the exception of St. Augustine, which is only available in sod. This month traditionally is the second-best month to start a lawn. October is the best, he said.
Watering alone won’t lead to success, though. Burckley recommended fertilizing every six weeks but that varies depending on the type of fertilizer.
“For February, it is important to use pre-emergent to prevent dealing with tough weeds such as crabgrass,” he said.
Whichever lawn option prevails, remember that although recent rains have provided much-needed relief in many areas, certain facts haven’t changed.
“We’re going to have a phenomenal spring, yes. Everyone should go see everything sprouting, but remember come August, September and the first of October, when the Santa Anas blow, it’s going to be dry again,” Morganelli said. “The climate and challenges we face remain the same.”
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