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#1
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recommendations for lawn alternative
Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade
during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions |
#2
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recommendations for lawn alternative
I'd move house and put in some real grass,and make those kids live in a
real environment where the sun shines, mosquito's bite and dogs bark. Otherwise concrete with artificial grass would kick ass and really wouldnt allow your kids to experience real vegetation. this would be for the best perhaps... Otherwise it seems you have the answers. Go to the local nursery and ask qeustions get those... You cant win em all though. I'd move... or become bit of a gardener. Linda wrote: Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions |
#3
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recommendations for lawn alternative
Jonno hits the nerve !!
-- Cheers .......... Rheilly P "Jonno" wrote in message u... I'd move house and put in some real grass,and make those kids live in a real environment where the sun shines, mosquito's bite and dogs bark. Otherwise concrete with artificial grass would kick ass and really wouldnt allow your kids to experience real vegetation. this would be for the best perhaps... Otherwise it seems you have the answers. Go to the local nursery and ask qeustions get those... You cant win em all though. I'd move... or become bit of a gardener. Linda wrote: Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions |
#4
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Linda" wrote in message
... Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions dichondra? kylie |
#5
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Linda" wrote in message ... Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions Green concrete |
#6
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recommendations for lawn alternative
..
So prerequisites - low maintenance, Lots of things depending on what you mean by maintenance. suitable for kids to play on, No can do. Grass is the most durable and even that will not survive the attentions of energetic kids unless you help it along. Other ground covers are less durable and will result in big maintenance or having to exclude kids or both. grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. You are asking a lot here. As well as mozzie deterent why not ask for ant and spider repellent? :-) It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Taking a while to spread is inconsistent with durability. One way that grass survives wear is to quickly spread back into areas where damage has happened. Thanks for any suggestions Hard mulch (eg pinebark) or astroturf. No living thing will do all you want. I am no fan of lawns (when my kids grew up the lawn went) but my experience is that it's the only living playing surface that has a chance and that will take some work. David |
#7
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recommendations for lawn alternative
On Jan 8, 8:52 am, "0tterbot" wrote:
"Linda" wrote in message ... Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions dichondra? kylie I've had a lot of trouble getting dichondra to work as a lawn substitute. It just wouldn't spread (until I gave up, now it's growing in my garden bed and I can't seem to get rid of it). Might need a warmer area than Melbourne, SE suburbs. I've also tried thyme - there are a few ground cover versions that smell fantastic when you walk on them. Again, hard to get going and not great if the kids are playing on it. Otherwise, check the various forms of buffalo grass or couch. They'll go a little yellow in winter but other than that you should be fine. My buffalo grass is still thick and green, while my remaining small patch of lawn is already dead. |
#8
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Jonno" wrote in message
Otherwise concrete with artificial grass would kick ass Have you turned into a Yank? Or do you really want to mention kicking a donkey? |
#9
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Linda" wrote in message
So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, Bloody Vinca! My advice from 15 yeras trying to get rid of the mongrel stuff is not to go there. It looks great for a small while then it takes over and is almost as bad as ivy. chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. A chamomile lawn is high maintenance (needs weeding) moss needs too much watering and mondo grass costs a bomb to do a lawn sized area. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. I know that I would forget the idea of a lawn entirely but go for tidy if it was a small yard. Have you thought about putting gravel in a circle under the tree or with curved edges and treating the tree as just an umbrella where you could have a table or for bike riding? Tough plants could go round the edges beyond the gravel to soften the fences where there may be some sun and if you want tough and low maintenace then I'd suggest stachys lanata (Lamb's ears), Red Hot pokers, Euphorbia Wulfenii (if you have a hot dry spot), Shasta dairies, Hellebores in shade, violets which are a spreader and can be ripped out easily, forget me not which is the same. Lots more plants would suit this idea and all of them are the sort of stuff that other gardeners would gladly give you. |
#10
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recommendations for lawn alternative
FarmI wrote:
"Jonno" wrote in message Otherwise concrete with artificial grass would kick ass Have you turned into a Yank? Or do you really want to mention kicking a donkey? It rhymes... |
#11
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Linda" wrote in message ... Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi attractive. So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know about. So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside. It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be nice and cheap too. Thanks for any suggestions not sure how it goes in Aus but here in NZ white clover is doing perfectly in my garden at present under the shade of trees, with hot days & lack of rain. The clover is greener than the lawn and growing ok. It does get bees in in summer which is a little hard on the bare feet but good for the vege garden. Clover also reduces the need for a high nitrogen fertiliser for the grass. rob |
#12
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recommendations for lawn alternative
Linda wrote:
Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - Do not know of anything that will handle shade and kids unless you select a mulch you like like pea(nut) straw which s generally finer cut and softer. |
#13
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Terryc" wrote in message ... Linda wrote: Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't grow - Do not know of anything that will handle shade and kids unless you select a mulch you like like pea(nut) straw which s generally finer cut and softer. Not sure about peanut straw depends on where it comes from, could have some noxious weeds in it, but I do know that pea straw is good mulch |
#14
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recommendations for lawn alternative
George W. Frost wrote:
Not sure about peanut straw depends on where it comes from, could have some noxious weeds in it, but I do know that pea straw is good mulch Well, the pea straw we have been buying at Mitre10 is actually peanut straw, complete with a few shells. |
#15
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recommendations for lawn alternative
"Terryc" wrote in message ... George W. Frost wrote: Not sure about peanut straw depends on where it comes from, could have some noxious weeds in it, but I do know that pea straw is good mulch Well, the pea straw we have been buying at Mitre10 is actually peanut straw, complete with a few shells. Point taken, but as I said, depends on where the straw came from and of coarse, where you are Star burr or goat's head Acanthospermum hispidum, a noxious weed in the Northern Territory and prohibited from entry to Western Australia, has been found in the Maffra area of Gippsland. It was accidentally brought into Victoria in a load of peanut straw from Queensland in March 2004. A small number of plants have appeared during summer and autumn this year on one property where the straw was used. More of this fodder was purchased by other landholders and it is feared that the plant might gain a foothold in Victoria for the first time. |
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