I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?

"Darren Garrison" wrote in message
...
I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard
where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks
promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be
invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?

Where do you live?

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 15:58:59 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 09:55:40 -0500, Darren Garrison
wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?


Select a groundcover that will grow well in your conditions, (rather
than one that you think looks good.)

But I don't know what will grow well in my conditions (zone 7, red clay soil). Which is why I'm
asking. Right now, the "lawn" area consists mostly of "weeds" that will reach multiple feet in
height if not mowed. I want something that will
1.) cover the soil which would be mud with each rain if not covered
2.) grow to only a few inches high
3.) take as close to zero maintainence as is likely to happen in the real world

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 15:58:59 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 09:55:40 -0500, Darren Garrison
wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?


Select a groundcover that will grow well in your conditions, (rather
than one that you think looks good.)

But I don't know what will grow well in my conditions (zone 7, red clay soil). Which is why I'm
asking. Right now, the "lawn" area consists mostly of "weeds" that will reach multiple feet in
height if not mowed. I want something that will
1.) cover the soil which would be mud with each rain if not covered
2.) grow to only a few inches high
3.) take as close to zero maintainence as is likely to happen in the real world

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 09:55:40 -0500, Darren Garrison wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?


Groundcovers which need no mowing:

stones
sand
astroturf

Low maintenance, too.

Sorry for the smartass remarks, I've been sniffing winter too long.


When Oxalis goes to seed, you will have it everywhere. It's not the best
choice.

Is your yard sun/shade, wet/dry, flat/sloped, sandy, ?

What effect are you after?

More info will get you better results.

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 09:55:40 -0500, Darren Garrison wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?


Groundcovers which need no mowing:

stones
sand
astroturf

Low maintenance, too.

Sorry for the smartass remarks, I've been sniffing winter too long.


When Oxalis goes to seed, you will have it everywhere. It's not the best
choice.

Is your yard sun/shade, wet/dry, flat/sloped, sandy, ?

What effect are you after?

More info will get you better results.

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 09:55:40 -0500, Darren Garrison wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?


Groundcovers which need no mowing:

stones
sand
astroturf

Low maintenance, too.

Sorry for the smartass remarks, I've been sniffing winter too long.


When Oxalis goes to seed, you will have it everywhere. It's not the best
choice.

Is your yard sun/shade, wet/dry, flat/sloped, sandy, ?

What effect are you after?

More info will get you better results.

I'm new to this NG but saw your msg and had to reply... We live in Iowa, so
I don't know if this will work for you, as it sounds like you are further
south, but our back yard is very hilly, so much so that the back 10 feet of
it are incredibly difficult to mow, so we are planning to plant no mow grass
seed on it this spring. My husband's grandparents have it at their house in
northern Iowa and their yard is all foundation with no more than 4 inches of
topsoil dropped on top of it and it is thick and lush, and virtually
weedless. From what I understand from this product, it only needs mowing
twice a summer.

Here's the website:
http://www.prairienursery.com/catalog/cat_nomow.asp

I hope it works for you.

Shelley

I'm new to this NG but saw your msg and had to reply... We live in Iowa, so
I don't know if this will work for you, as it sounds like you are further
south, but our back yard is very hilly, so much so that the back 10 feet of
it are incredibly difficult to mow, so we are planning to plant no mow grass
seed on it this spring. My husband's grandparents have it at their house in
northern Iowa and their yard is all foundation with no more than 4 inches of
topsoil dropped on top of it and it is thick and lush, and virtually
weedless. From what I understand from this product, it only needs mowing
twice a summer.

Here's the website:
http://www.prairienursery.com/catalog/cat_nomow.asp

I hope it works for you.

Shelley

You don't say if it will have to take any human or pet traffic.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

You don't say if it will have to take any human or pet traffic.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

"Darren Garrison" wrote in message
...
I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard
where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks
promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be
invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?

Try Ivy. You can keep rooting offshoots and placing them where you want.
Snake heaven too.

Darren Garrison wrote:

I want some sort of low ground cover that can be used over a whole yard where I do not have other
plants and does not need mowing at all. Oxalis ("false shamrock") looks promising, but descriptions
also say that it is "non-invasive", and I want something that WILL be invasive to my whole yard, to
the exclusion of "normal" grass. Anyone have any tips?



How about buffalo grass if you live in a dry climate, or "ajuga" (bugle)
or "monkeygrass" in a wet climate.

Buffalo grass looks like a normal lawn if you mow it, or it stops growing
at about 5 inches if you don't.

-Bob