It is difficult to create a dense lawn, especially in very small and shady gardens. An alternative is a lawn replacement. Winter-hardy, low-growing plants can also be used to green an area that is even walkable.
What is a good alternative to lawn in shady locations?
Lawn replacement is an alternative to traditional lawn, especially in shady locations. Hardy, low-growing plants such as moss, ground cover, herbs (e.g. Roman chamomile, thyme) and cushion perennials form dense cushions and are walkable, but not suitable as a play area.
What is lawn replacement?
Instead of a green carpet of grass, the area is covered with substitute lawn plants that form dense cushions and cover the soil.
This is always worth it if the garden is very shady, so that grass hardly grows here.
Lawn replacement plants are hardy and can also be walked on without any problems. However, a replacement lawn is not suitable as a play area for children or as a football field.
Which lawn replacement plants are recommended?
- Moss
- Groundcover
- Herbs such as Roman chamomile and thyme
- Cushion perennials like feather cushions
Preparing the soil for the lawn replacement plants
A suitable location is a not too sunny place with loose soil where rainwater does not accumulate. In very solid soils, a drainage layer ensures that no waterlogging occurs.
The soil for the lawn replacement is prepared in the same way as for a perennial bed. Weeds, old roots, stones and soil compaction are carefully removed.
Very poor soils should be improved with compost or rotted manure so that the plants receive enough nutrients.
Planting lawn replacement
The lawn replacement plants are planted either in autumn or spring.
Depending on the variety, the gardener needs between 10 and 25 plants per square meter of lawn. The perennials and herbs are planted close together.
The replacement lawn is watered and kept evenly moist until the plants have grown.
Caring for the lawn replacement
A replacement lawn needs just as much care as a real lawn. The gardener must regularly ensure that plants that have died due to severe drought or excessive humidity are replaced. Watering is only necessary when the soil is completely dry.
Some lawn replacement plants tend to spread throughout the garden. It makes sense to create a lawn edge to keep the replacement lawn under control. Offshoots can be used very well to close gaps.
Weeds must be removed regularly until the ground cover has formed a dense area. Otherwise the lawn replacement plants will be too crowded.
Mowing lawn replacement
Some lawn replacement plants such as chamomile or thyme can easily be kept short with a lawnmower. The knives are set very high.
If you want to enjoy the scent of your herbal replacement lawn, you should, however, use scissors and make sure that you do not remove all the flowers.
The cut branches can be used as a seasoning in the kitchen or enjoyed as a delicious herbal tea.
Tips & Tricks
Lawn substitutes have been popular in England and the Mediterranean for centuries. Roman chamomile was often planted here and is so robust that it is good for frequent foot traffic. The great poet Shakespeare already raved about the aromatic scents that arise as a result.
