Many Kiwis love nothing more than sunbathing on the lawn, playing a game of backyard cricket, or simply just feeling the lush carpet of grass underfoot.  

But others hate nothing more than having to keep a tool shed full of lawn equipment like mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers just to keep it looking neat year-round. And let’s not even get started on lawn pests and bald patches.  

However, what are the alternatives? If you don’t have a sprawling lawn on your quarter-acre section, what do you have? Well, you might just opt for any of the following substitutes. 

Creeping Perennials 

As much as you might not like the idea of turning some of your lawn into a garden, it’s not as labour-intensive as it sounds. At least not when you opt for creeping perennials. Dedicate an area of your property to these plants, and they can spread out in the area you set for them and leave very little to no space for weeds to grow. 

We’re spoilt for choice in NZ regarding creeping plants and groundcover plants. The New Zealand Cushion Bush, also known as Schleranthus Biflorus, is a popular option. It thrives in various environments across the motu and looks like a velvety and soft blanket that covers everything you want it to cover. 

You might also look at Baby’s Tears as a suitable option. This groundcover plant forms a barrier against weeds and thrives in shady, moist environments. Not only is it an effective form of lawn-like carpet, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing in both traditional and contemporary backyards. 

Hardscapes 

Some people love lawn but simply don’t have enough time to maintain them. While you could rely on lawn care experts to help, you might simply want something a little more low maintenance that still allows you to entertain friends and family in the same space.  

That’s where hardscapes come in. 

Hardscapes are non-living landscaping elements made of materials like wood, pavers, brick, and gravel. You can create pathways, planter boxes, seating arrangements, decks, and other aesthetically pleasing features in your yard without worrying about lawn mowing and line trimming.  

Hardscapes allow you to get creative and can include various natural elements, but they are predominantly easy-care non-living features. 

Fake Grass 

Some homeowners genuinely love grass. They love how it looks and feels and even how much of it they have. But the problem arises on the maintenance side of things. Not everyone has time for all the many lawn-related tasks, and they don’t always want to reach out to lawn care experts for help. 

The good news is that you can have your cake and eat it too with fake grass. Artificial grass has come a long way in a short amount of time, and many varieties don’t even look fake. The grass blades are green, soft, durable, and feel gorgeous underfoot. 

However, rather than having to mow it and keep up with its maintenance, it remains the same length throughout its lifetime. Many homeowners with small yards install artificial turf and are satisfied with how real it truly looks and feels.  

Rock Gardens 

Many people who tire of mowing lawns turn them into gardens, not realising that they can require just as much maintenance and, perhaps, even more. However, you can have an almost-maintenance-free garden. It just has to contain rocks rather than soil and plants. 

Rock gardens are growing in popularity by the day, especially as they can take up a lot of space in your backyard, are affordable to make, and are attractive. You can have one large rock as the centrepiece, smaller rocks surrounding it, and a few easy-care plants dotted throughout for colour.  

Succulent Gardens 

Not all parts of Aotearoa New Zealand will be suitable for succulent gardens, especially as succulents require well-draining soil that doesn’t get too cold in winter. However, if you live in a reasonably warm part of the country and want to get rid of some of your lawn, a succulent garden is certainly an option worth considering. Succulents are easy-care, hard to kill, and come in some beautiful varieties. 

Aloe vera is one of the more well-known options and is adored for its ability to tolerate neglect and dryness. It also thrives in full sun. Alternatively, you might consider aeonium, a versatile succulent that can grow small or large, depending on your preferences. 

Enjoy Grass and Hire the Experts 

Your final option is not to change a thing. You might love your slice of paradise with all its grass, so why not hire a lawn-mowing business to take care of it? They can handle everything from lawn mowing and mulching to line trimming and lawn clipping removal. Sure, you might decide to opt for these grass-free ideas above, but you’ll be pleased to know there are other options.