I live in a suburb very close to downtown. We chose to live here because there are no covenants or bi-laws about lawns and gardens.
As soon as I could afford to plant the front, I ripped out the lawn and planted. It's divided into main paths and a utility path, plus a very small 7' central concrete "patio" on which a wheelbarrow or anything else can sit for weeding or ammending. Pathways and plant material make divisions, but the plants that will eventually do that job are still fairly small. There is also a raised stone herb bed.
I think how you divide the area is related to it's use. Our front garden is more of a walk way garden, although it's small, there can be more divisions because there are usually only ever two to three people in it at one time while walking.
Going lawnless is a wonderful idea, and it is encouraged in many cities. Planting well for xeroscaping means using far less water than conventional grass needs in our climate during July/August and Sept. Another idea is to use grass only for the paths and devote the rest of the area to garden.

GGG

We unfortunately also live in one of those " you-must-have 10-feet-of-grass-at-the-curb, everyone-must-have-the-same-mailbox-and-post-subdivisions,too. I have replaced AT LEAST 50% of the grass---But I am making my plantings easy care so the garden will be desirable if we decide to sell at a later time.

Twinkle, when our house was appraised about 4 years ago, the appraiser added a LOT extra just for the front yard as it was then. More recently it was appraised for almost double that.
Lawnlessness certainly does not mean worthless!
It does depend somewhat on your your appraiser is, but a certified appraiser who works at homes in your community can give you a good idea of what that sort of thing would be worth.
There are several people in the Decatur area who are currently working on going lawnless!

GGG

There was a long, long thread about this last year on one of the other forums. The consensus was that it takes longer to sell a house with a lot of gardens. So keep that in mind. My personal belief is make it the paradise you want.

I will also play devil's advocate and say some nice things about lawn. Assuming you don't load your lawn down with chemicals, they have some real advantages according to studies not funded by the lawn industry. Lawns are efficient at processing pollutants from the air. They are especially good at filtering water as it returns to aquifers. And they do keep temperatures a little cooler. Hope this makes you feel better about your lawn in the front yard.

hey! lawnless means no mowing! my mother's house is lawnless in the back but with so many containers of plants you don't miss it.
where i live i am not sure the powers that be would like it.

Thanks. It does take a lot of time, effort, water, etc. to keep up a lawn. All of which I would rather spend on plants.

I was watching a show I taped awhile back - Brooks Garcia's garden on A Gardener's Journal. WOW! I want that kind of garden! He has no grass, just gobs of boxwood, robinia trees, roses, perennials, a dovecote. He has plants all the way out to the sidewalk. He's got cactus and peonies growing together in the strip between the sidewalk and the road. My neighbors would have a heart attack if I planted cactus out where their doggies do their duty. (Wait - there's a idea!)

(sigh) Someday. Meanwhile I will think over the grass path idea.

I saw that garden on TV too. It is gorgeous. Something to aim for. I love paths through gardens. So far the only path I have is one that the dogs have worn from the deck to the kennel. I don't think I'll be on A Gardener's Journal anytime soon.

That's my plan ultimately. I've made some progress to that end. I have several large beds in front. I have expanded the back garden to include one side of the house - enclosed in a fence. The other side will eventually be a path through shrubs, rocks and plantings, sans grass. The grass I do have is probably 50% weeds but its green (mostly) and we keep it mowed. I do not intend to use weed killers.
I live in a large 30-year-old subdivision north of 285. We don't have neighborhood restrictions outside of the Gwinnett codes. No one has complained. I live way back in the neighborhood that gets little traffic - that probably helps, too. I don't honestly care if it helps or hurts my resale value since I'm not planning on moving and I want to enjoy it while I'm here.
I do actually plan to have a couple of small lawn areas - to complement the gardens. But SMALL and easy to maintain.

Sugarhill is right. It will take longer to sell a house with no grass in the backyard. I enjoy having people over and most of the time, we find ourselves in the backyard and we need all the lawn we have. Although the gardens would be beautiful, a buyer looking at your home (if not a gardener) would run the other direction.
If you never plan on selling, then go for it! You would be the talk of the neighborhood.
Even though I love to garden, I admire a nice, well-kept lawn, and when I see one, I think of all the hard work it takes to have one...

The only grass we have is in our front yard. We're backed up to corp of engineer property and have let our back yard (inside and outside the fence) go natural.

We put in a stone path down the side of our house and planted oakleaf hydrangeas, nandina, camelias and rhodos.

Last weekend we put in a pebble rock and stone path in our back yard (fenced in area). The dogs created a muddy path and the pebble path has taken care of it. It has made an INCREDIBLE difference in the appreance. I have been researching and buying plants/shrubs to fill in the area.

Thanks everybody for your input. This isn't my "last" house, so I don't want to do anything totally crazy. Good point Efam about the backyard being the entertaining area, and I have a tiny deck.

Still thinking this over. Now I'm trying to come up with a plan that has lots of plants, maybe a large patio for entertaining, paths, etc. The area is a rectangle, so maybe half for gardening and half with a tiny lawn surrounded on all sides by plants. Maybe a lot of shrubs for structure, perennials in between that I could dig up if I need to sell in a few years.

I'm having trouble figuring out how to divide up the space because there's a slope across the length of the rectangle, and you look down onto it from my deck, which is centered. So it might look funny if the two sides don't "match".

Anyway, you guys have convinced me that LESS grass is a good thing!

An important variable is how usuable your lawn is. I have removed a lot of grass that was too sloped to serve a purpose anyway. If kids can't play or you can't set up a vollyball net etc, the grass is not so valuable. My last house was in a cookie cutter yard suburban area of Illinois and I had very little lawn left and it sold within 72 hours of listing and we had multiple offers. The woman commented that she was going to try and keep the yard up. I have heard she did take out part of one bed and replace it with grass.

As long as people can see themselves enjoying the yard more than being burdened by the work load I think you should be fine. I would consider a nice circle of grass to create the floor of one of your garden rooms perhaps. Afterall kids really like grass.

When I lived in the Peachtree Corners area a neighbor hired a landscaper to come in and do her entire front and back 'lawnless'. This was probably around 1985-86. It is full of paths and perennials and lovely trees. The family still lives there and the property is awesome. I remember her telling me that her only regret when she had the landscaping done was that she allowed the landscaper to select the individual plants. When they arrived to put them in the ground she was disappointed that they didn't appear 'first quality'. "Next time I'll select them myself!" I don't live in a subdivision neighborhood anymore so I can do what I want ... and I did. We planted three rows (26 plants) of grapes and muscadines in the front yard. I love it.

I too live in typical suburbia and would love to get rid of the weed-filled lawn...but I too worry about re-sell. My neighbor put too much weed killer on his front lawn last week and it killed every bit of grass he had...I hope the poisons haven't been blowing on to my little organic yard!

We are virtually lawnless in the front. We'll be working on the back next. When I first started tearing up the front yard people would drive by and shake their heads. Now they drive by to see whats in bloom.

I'm sure this is not my last house - but I like the garden way better than the lawn. I figure when I have to move - we'll have one heck of a plant swap/giveaway. Flatten out the beds and plant grass seed and be gone. I enjoy it too much to not do it because 5, 10 or 15 years down the road I am going to sell. Living in the moment.

Brooks Garcia's house is on the ABG garden tour next weekend I think. I enjoy these garden tours every year.

What a great idea Snoogie! Send me an invite to that plant giveaway in 15 years, LOL. Of course some perennials would be a bear to dig up, but if we plan ahead and put certain things out in the middle which are "reversible", then we could enjoy years of gardening in exchange for a few afternoons of grass installation.

That settles it. I'm going out this afternoon to measure my back yard and draw up a plan. Thanks everybody!

I watched a Gardener's Diary episode a couple of years ago where a couple removed their grass (from a small front yard)and replaced it with dwarf mondo grass. It gave the appearance of a deep green lawn, handled foot traffic well, and required no maintenance. The mondo was only a couple of inches tall. They started with small plugged but it filled in within a season or two nicely. The mondo looked nice mixed with perennial beds.

One thing prospective buyers might be afraid of is the work involved in maintaining a garden, so if you are worried about resale, you might design a low-maintenance garden and document it. The realtor can use it as a selling point.

A couple of weekends ago we put in this path. I have been adding plants over the years and more this spring. We have two dogs and there's a lot of rock/pebbles in this area. It's not practical to have grass back here.

This is an interesting topic. I'm from Toronto, where lawnless ness isn't all that unusual. As a matter of fact, downtown that would sell your house in seconds. As long as there is a patio area.
Kids don't need grass at home in that city, there is a park in every neighbourhood that is large and full of city maintained grass.
Check out the book "Front Yard Gardens" by Liz Primeau and you'll see what I mean...
Also, if you want to sell your home, look for a realtor that specializes in buying and selling homes with gardens. I work with one sometimes, and she has never had a problem selling a home without a lawn. She understands how to advertise and sell such homes, and her target market.

GGG

Saw lots of great gardens in town without grass on the tour this past weekend. I would certainly consider those as assets when buying a home.

However, out in the suburbs, there is this lemming mentality to deal with. Must have grass. Must have no weeds. Must allow neighbors to gaze upon perfect sward of green.

You're probably wondering why I bought a home in such a subdivision? There are many factors to consider - good schools, commute time, property taxes, cultural and entertainment facilites nearby, lot size, etc. And then there's the house itself.

So I'm trying to "grow where you are planted" and make the best of the situation. I see now there's really a lot I can do without going off the deep end. Hopefully attitudes will change as people become aware of other options besides grass, grass, and grass.

DEFINATELY read that "Front Yard Gardens" book. Everything you point out in your above post is mentioned, in detail, as is the point of change in ideas that you make for your community and their mindset as you create your front garden. Someone needs to begin expanding the chemlawn minds to the problems and expense of keeping up a golf course-like turf. We have seen a few lawn chemical trucks coming in to our local communities. There has been a discussion of banning lots of lawn chemicals and fertilizers here, because they enter the water table.

GGG

I live in a fairly uptight subdivision and have been working on transforming my yard for 4 years with great success. My advice? Go gradual. There were 2 plants between the sidewalk and the street where only weedlike grass grew. I added a plant every so often. Now I'm well on my way to replacing all of the "grass". Because the change has been gradual, my neighbors have been able to get used to the idea and I've had nothing but compliments. I also created a garden under a huge ficus tree since grass wouldn't grow there anyway. It has become a thing of beauty for all to enjoy! I am gradually expanding and adding gardens where grass doesn't grow. As an artist/designer I know the importantance of empty space and grass does enhance the beauty of gardens whether it's grass sprawling around and between flagstone walkways or an area to place a bench. Although... there are many, many groundcovers that serve the same purpose and require less maintenance. Check out an upscale nursery and take advantage of any free literature or classes they may offer. I pour over issues of "BH&G" and find ways to create similar looks with the plants that do well in my zone. I feel that a garden is an ever evolving thing. I'm always moving plants around and re-designing. Sometimes my plants seem to tell ME where they want to be. And at times plants spread so much that I have enough to create a new garden area or give them to friends and neighbors. I take a walk every morning around my entire neighborhood and talk to people about their plants. I notice what does well and where it is planted. This kind of networking is fun, creates friendships, is educational and may come in handy if the homeowners association ever gave me a hard time...lots of allies. As far as cactus goes...less is more. A small, strategically placed cactus garden is much more appealing than a large area since many neighbors find cactus to be unattractive when they are large. But, I myself have considered planting nice big thorny cactus along my sidewalk to deter dogs. I try to notice people who walk their dogs and make friends with them. Most people are less likely to let their dogs go in a friends yard. Good luck with your endevour and happy gardening! Jules

There are two homes in my neighborhood that are going lawnless (hoping mine will be in this group someday). One is the home of an Asian family. They made the transition a few years ago. Tore up the yard and installed rocks, a water feature, and an amazing assortment of plants and pathways. Initially the neighbors were shocked, then fascinated and now amazed. The garden is extremely well maintained and beautiful.

Another neighbor started slowly, creating shade beds under trees, sun beds along both sides of the driveway, a water feature that can be heard and enjoyed from the street but not seen... Unusual plants, shrubs and trees that work well together and flow in waves through the yard.

As my husband and I walk our dog through the neighborhood we always stop and admire both of these properties....and we dream.

Thanks GGG, I did read the Front Yard Gardens book. (I'm a fast reader.) Fascinating! I highly recommend this book to others. There's something for everybody and lots of good ideas.

When you say there's been dicussion of banning lawn chemicals, do you mean just in your local community, or is this a county-wide or state-wide discussion? It would certainly be a blessing. I think people use those services because it is EASY. Instant perfect lawn, just write out a check. If it weren't so easy to have a weed-free lawn, people might start looking at low-maintenance plants as a substitute.

Twinkle, in my community. There are major watershed issues, and we don't need a whole lot of extra pollution to complicate issues.

GGG

42000 sq ft yard, maybe 3000ft sq grass. Mowed, edged, blowen in abut 40 min. The neighbors love it.....me too!

http://home.mindspring.com/~seakin/index.html

Our HOA even stipulates we MUST have Bermuda in the front, fescue in the back ... sigh. But they haven't caught onto to limiting plantings (yet). Curiously, with the outdoor you've mentioned, do you happen to know the variety? I've seen prickly pear winter just fine here in Atlanta, but I was curious if there were others. Thanks :-)

I hate Bermuda grass. My front lawn was a sloping disaster. Three years ago I dumped a truckload of dirt and three loads of wood chips on it. Technically, the subdivision doesn't allow it, but I did a very nice job. I have a mound near the driveway that is centered around a sugar maple, a pink dogwood, and a cherry tree. The other side of the yard is mulched and planted with a cryptomeria and a pink dogwood for balance. I've stolen the neighbors tree as part of my design. They have a sugar maple and because it is planted near their driveway, as is mine, it makes my yard appear ten feet wider than it is. The asymmetrical balance in the front yard catches attention. Proving once more that it isn't what you do, but how you do it that makes an impact.

I am renewing my mulch this year. Widening the path that parallels the sidewalk so that I can easily accommodate a wheelbarrow. My work has inspired some of the neighbors. Several have added wood chip mulched beds to their front yard and one has copied my mounding and mulched path style. I'm very pleased to see these changes in the neighborhood.

More and more of my neighbors are adding perennials, flower beds, and interesting trees. I'm excited about how beautiful it will be in 15 years.

Thanks to ggg last year I was inspired to plant the hell-strip between the sidewalk and the street. I grow lime thyme (from her garden, thanks), angelina sedum, coreopsis, iris, oregano, echinacea, daisies and million bells.

Every year, less grass in front. My backyard is huge. I'll always have a lot of grass there.

One of our neighbors has a well maintained nice green lawn. We don't! He has a big riding lawn mower, and often crosses the property line to cut his grass. It's not a problem now since our front yard is not landscaped much at all. But how do we live in harmony with him after going lawnless? How do you handle the property line where your non-lawn plants meet the neighbors lawn?

Thanks,
Patty

There's just one important reason why it may be a good idea to keep some grass....
It prevents

Erosion.

Not every location is going to be at risk for erosion and there certainly are other things you can plant to control it but grass does it most effectively.

If you ever wonder why they go through the expense of planting grass along highways and then mowing it several times a year, now you know the reason.

I'm not saying I think exotic pest weeds are a good idea to be planting, but the question did ask if going lawnless was a bad idea and the short answer is it could be.

This is a little late, but the last post is WRONG in the context of having other vegetation in place of lawns.

Grass is used for stabilization because it is cheap, quick and easy to establish compared to woody vegetation.

Beyond that grass is relatively poor use for erosion and sedimentation (E&S) control, especially once you start getting any kind of real relief on a lawn. It is even worse at pollutant removal, including your herb/pesticides, excess nutrients (from fertilizers which are way over-applied in most of your lush suburban lawns), and other non-point source pollutants (NPS) coming from stormwater. From an environmental (E&S or NPS) standpoint, there is NO reason to keep grass if there are other vegetative plantings in place of it.

>> GOD: St. Francis, you know all about gardens and nature.
>> What in the world is going on down there in the USA? What
>> happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I
>> started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan.
>> Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and
>> multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting
>> blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of
>> songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by
>> now. But all I see are these green rectangles.
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord.
>> The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers
>> "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and
>> replace them with grass.
>>
>> GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It
>> doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs
>> and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do
>> these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains
>> to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by
>> fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops
>> up in the lawn.
>>
>> GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make
>> grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites
>> happy.
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a
>> little, they cut it, sometimes twice a week.
>>
>> GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly Lord. Most of them rake it up
>> and put it in bags.
>>
>> GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: No, sir -- just the opposite. They pay
>> to throw it away.
>>
>> GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize
>> grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they
>> cut it off and pay to throw it away?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: Yes, sir.
>>
>> GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the
>> summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up
>> the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves
>> them a lot of work.
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord.
>> When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out
>> hoses and pay more money to water it so they can
>> continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
>>
>> GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the
>> trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do
>> say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring
>> to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the
>> autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural
>> blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect
>> the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves
>> form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural
>> circle of life.
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: You'd better sit down, Lord. The
>> Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon
>> as the leaves fall, they rake them into great
>> piles and pay to have them hauled away.
>>
>> GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and
>> tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil
>> moist and loose?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they
>> go out and buy something which they call mulch.
>> They haul it home and spread it around in place
>> of the leaves.
>>
>> GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
>>
>> ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up
>> to make the mulch.
>>
>> GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore.
>> St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What
>> movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
>>
>> ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a real
>> stupid movie about ...
>>
>> GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole
>> story from St. Francis.

Ron and Patty,
That was fabulously funny and disturbingly sad at the same time! Thanks for sharing.

Will