After seeing way too many appalling “transformations” that replaced traditional lawns with truckloads of gravel, I was pleased to see one UK gardener’s images of their “gravel to garden” project. After almost deciding not to purchase their home because of the uninspiring back garden, which was basically stone pavers and gravel, they decided to make some changes. The homeowner’s before-and-after photos went viral, and this project is now inspiring others.
In the “NoLawns” group on Reddit, their post “Before and after of my little back garden” showed photos detailing the dramatic renovation. The project sounds daunting: four tons of gravel had to be removed! Then they built a garden shed, added flower beds, and a clover “lawn” was planted. Replies ranged from ‘Looks like a lot of hard work paid off!” to “This is so magical,” to questions about specific plants. Asked about the clover patches, the homeowner said they will add creeping thyme and chamomile to the clover in spring.
This kind of social media interaction can be so helpful for gardeners and homeowners who may have a vision of what they want, but aren’t sure if they can do it or how to get started. Seeing that other folks have found creative workarounds can really help with motivation, as well as sharing resources about materials, tools, plants, and design ideas. Personally, I find this kind of project thrilling and a win on many levels. They started with boring beige stone, and now they have: Beauty! Color! Flowers! Pollinators! A cute shed! This yard is now functional, easy to care for, and pleasing to spend time in.
Lawns are Boring, People!
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My favorite aspect of this story was that the homeowners decided against a grass lawn and planted easy-care clover. Confession: I’m not much of a lawn person. I own a reel mower (yep, those old-fashioned contraptions that make a soothing ‘snickety-snackity’ sound). It’s sufficient for my needs, and as a professional gardener, I leave lawn care to landscapers. Home lawn care is their bread and butter, and it’s big business because it’s hard work. Some people like lawns: They provide space for kids to play, dogs to run, and grown-ups to have picnics and parties. But grass lawns aren’t mandatory, and personally, I find them boring. Why mow grass when you can plant flowers or fruit trees?
In fact, lawns are a modern invention that prop up a multi-billion dollar industry of equipment, grass seed, and, unfortunately, chemicals: Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. As an organic gardener, I can’t recommend using harmful chemicals to keep lawns free of weeds and insects (we need both for biodiversity). Lawn chemicals can poison groundwater, harm wildlife, cause health problems in humans, and contribute to colony collapse disorder. The UK gardeners chose a more sustainable approach.
As much as I hate chemical-heavy lawn care, plastic lawns are worse. In the UK, this trend has grown (along with crunchy gravel driveways, but that’s a rant for another day, perhaps). Another bad trend: Creating “beds” by planting shrubs, using heavy black plastic to surround them, and topping it with chemically dyed mulch. Folks, there are so many options beyond chemicals and plastic! Nature is healing, they tell me.
Oh, the possibilities!
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If you want to replace a no-grass yard with something more natural and appealing, know that there are many approaches to explore. The first thing to do is think about what functions you want your yard to serve. Do you just want it to look appealing and cared for, even though you don’t spend much time there? Do you want to host social gatherings outside? Do you want to grow food? Yearning to plant a pollinator garden? Considering your goals can help you hone your vision.
Also, consider time and budget constraints. Will you need to hire a contractor, landscaper, plumber, or other professional? Can you source free or gently-used materials, or obtain plants from a local plant swap, instead of buying new? There are plenty of resources out there for doing renovations on a budget, as well as instructional videos. If you’re replacing stone or brick patios or walkways with plantings, can you re-use the stone to edge flower beds, or build a brick barbecue? I’m a huge fan of reusing and recycling materials in garden design.
This may seem like obvious or even naive advice, but keep it simple and leave your options open. If you want a water feature but can’t afford one, start with a bird bath. Is it too much work or expense to remove a patio or a thick layer of gravel? What about adding planters or raised beds to plant vegetables, or the perfect container garden combo to attract pollinators? If you don’t have room for a micro-orchard, try dwarf fruit trees in containers. Gardening is a rewarding, forgiving pastime, and it will meet you where you’re at.
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