Are you ready to say goodbye to your traditional lawn and embrace a more sustainable, wildlife-friendly, and cost-effective garden? Discover how you can turn your ordinary lawn into a vibrant garden paradise.

Why Choose a Garden Over a Lawn?

In regions with scarce water resources like semi-arid and arid areas, a well-planned, water-efficient landscape can offer a more inviting and beautiful environment compared to lawns that demand excessive water. Even in areas with abundant rainfall, converting your lawn into a diverse garden can bring multiple benefits, including expanding wildlife habitat and reducing maintenance.

Why Make the Change?

Energy and Water Savings: A typical suburban lawn consumes a staggering 10,000 gallons of water annually, in addition to rainwater. This consumption has a significant energy footprint, from pumping and heating to treating and delivering water. Transitioning to a garden not only conserves water but also saves energy.

Ideal Location: Is your lawn situated on challenging terrain like a slope or in a shady area? Consider transforming it into a low-maintenance landscape. Avoid the hassle of uneven lawns and challenging uphill mowing tasks by letting trees, shrubs, and leafy plants slow down rainfall and reduce runoff.

Support Local Wildlife: Create a multi-layered environment with native trees, fruit-bearing shrubs, vines, ground grasses, and perennials to attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Time and Cost Savings: The average homeowner spends 150 hours a year on lawn maintenance. Transitioning to a garden, especially one with low-maintenance ground covers like gravel, can reduce that to 25-75 hours per year. Choosing native plants suited to your climate and soil can also save you money on fertilizers and herbicides.

Who Can Help You?

Consider consulting a landscape designer or qualified landscaper with expertise in water-efficient landscaping. They can create a hydro zone, grouping plants with similar water, sun, and soil requirements. Licensed landscape contractors are experienced in planting and installing drip, underground, and low-volume overhead irrigation systems.

Project Costs and Timeline:

• Design: Starting at $1,500 for a basic planting plan.
• Demolition: Budget around $3,000 depending on the lawn size and removal method.
• Planting: Costs range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on container size.
• Irrigation: Expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the chosen method. Typical Timeline: 2-4 weeks for design and 1-2 weeks for demolition and installation.

Permits:

Permits are generally not required for planting projects, but for areas exceeding 2,500 square feet, check local regulations. If you plan to redo parkways or “hell strips,” ensure compliance with local ordinances.

Best Time to Begin:

Timing depends on grass removal and climate, but tackling the project in fall or winter allows plants to establish themselves before summer heat sets in. Research local incentives and explore landscaping resources before you start.

How to Remove Your Grass:

Eliminate grass without herbicides using these methods:

• Digging: While not the most recommended method, it’s the quickest. Physically remove grass strips and compost them. For Bermuda grass, dig up deep-rooted grass stolon and shake out remaining soil from the roots.
• Lasagna Method: Layer cardboard or newspaper with organic mulch to block light and water. Grass dies in about two months and can be integrated into the soil with mulch and newspaper.

Planting Your Garden:

Now comes the enjoyable part. In Rochester, New York, USA, you can plant year-round, with fall and winter being ideal for taking advantage of cooling rains. This applies to trees and shrubs

found in many parts of the United States since root growth continues until underground temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

First Step:

Check for local incentives as some cities offer rebates to homeowners who replace their lawns with water-saving plants and irrigation. Explore our reservoir landscapes photos for inspiration and save your favorites. Find landscape architects and contractors in your area for assistance or explore our DIY resources and blogs for valuable insights.

Embark on this exciting journey to transform your lawn into a thriving, eco-friendly garden paradise. For more gardening tips and native plant guides in your area, visit our website