A dense lawn can hardly be created, especially in very small and shady gardens. An alternative is a lawn substitute. Hardy, low-growing plants can also be used to green an area that is even walkable.
What is lawn replacement?
Instead of a green carpet of grass, the area is covered with replacement lawn plants that form dense cushions and cover the earth.
This is always worthwhile when the garden is very shady, so that the lawn hardly grows here.
Lawn replacement plants are hardy and can also be walked on without any problems. However, a replacement lawn is not suitable as a play area for children or as a football pitch.
Read Also
Which lawn replacement plants are recommended?
- moss
- groundcover
- Herbs like Roman chamomile and thyme
- Upholstery perennials such as pinnate cushions
Prepare the soil for the lawn replacement plants
A place that is not too sunny with loose soil is suitable as a location where rainwater does not accumulate. In the case of very solid soil, a drainage layer ensures that no waterlogging forms.
The soil for the replacement lawn is prepared in the same way as for a perennial bed. Weeds, old roots, stones, and soil compaction are carefully removed.
Very lean soils should be improved with compost or decomposed manure so that the plants receive enough nutrients.
Plant a replacement lawn
The lawn replacement plants are planted either in autumn or in spring.
The gardener needs between 10 and 25 plants per square meter of lawn, depending on the variety. The perennials and herbs are placed close together.
The replacement lawn is watered and kept evenly moist until the plants have grown.
Maintenance of the replacement lawn
A replacement lawn requires just as much maintenance as a real lawn. The gardener must regularly ensure that plants that have died due to severe drought or excessive moisture are replaced. Watering is only necessary when the soil has completely dried out.
Some lawn replacement plants tend to spread all over the garden. It makes sense to create a lawn edge to keep the replacement lawn in check. Scions can be used very well to close gaps.
Until the ground cover has formed a dense area, weeds must be removed regularly. Otherwise, the lawn replacement plants will be too narrow.
mow a replacement lawn
Some lawn replacement plants such as chamomile or thyme can easily be kept short with a lawnmower. The knives are set very high.
However, if you want to enjoy the scent of your herb replacement lawn, it is better to use scissors and make sure that you do not remove all the flowers.
You can use the cut twigs as a condiment in the kitchen or enjoy them as a delicious herbal tea.
