What are the benefits and challenges of traditional and alternative lawns?

Question:

What are the benefits and challenges of traditional and alternative lawns?

Answer:

There is no single "best" lawn for every landscape. Choosing the right lawn starts with understanding your goals. Traditional turfgrass and alternative lawns each have advantages and disadvantages. By considering these pros and cons, goals, and intended use of the lawn, the most appropriate type can be selected.

The benefits and challenges below can help you compare the different options and determine whether a traditional lawn, an alternative lawn, or a combination of both is the best fit for your landscape.

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Benefits of a Traditional Lawn

Below are the benefits and challenges with a traditional lawn. Considering each of these factors will help you choose the right lawn for your landscape

Straightforward Care

• While it can be a lot of work due to the frequency of care that must be done (like mowing, watering, etc.), the care is relatively easy.  

Grows in Many Places

• Turfgrasses can be grown anywhere there is full sun
• Many different species of turf mean that they can be matched to environmental and site conditions

Highly Adaptable to a Wide Range of Functions

• The lawn can serve as space for recreation, erosion control, provide paths to walk, and serve as a uniform backdrop all at the same time

Challenges of a Traditional Lawn

High Maintenance

• They require frequent irrigation and use a large amount of water
  • Especially if you want them to stay green all summer
• While it may not be difficult to do, mowing is time-consuming and can be physically demanding
  • You literally walk every square foot of that lawn once a week!
• They utilize many chemicals
  • Regular fertilization is needed to promote good growth and prevent excessive weed growth
  • Herbicides are frequently used to remove unwanted weeds
  • High-maintenance turf utilizes fungicides and sometimes insecticides 
• Fallen leaves and debris must be regularly removed to prevent smothering
  • Otherwise weeds become a big issue (and while some weeds like dandelion and clover can be considered “good”, there are many others that are invasive and detrimental)

Many Have High Expectations that are Difficult to Reach

• It cannot have weeds
• It needs to be green all the time
• It needs to look uniform
• It needs to be short
• Of course, it doesn’t truly “need” to be any of these things, but they are common expectations and frequently hard to live up to!

Monoculture

• Monocultures are inherently more prone to issues
• Few if any blooming plants are present
  • This makes them inhospitable to many insects, pollinators, and other wildlife
  • They almost function like deserts for pollinators

Can’t Be Grown Everywhere 

• Despite many attempts to grow turfgrass everywhere, it isn't well suited to certain locations and environmental conditions
• It becomes the “default” planting when we have nothing else to do with an area, even if that area is well-suited for turfgrass
  • And when they try and invariably fail, it looks bad and doesn’t function well
• Needs full sun and regular water – not all locations in the landscape can do that

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Benefits of Alternative Lawns

Lower Maintenance

• Many alternative lawns require less mowing, watering, fertilizing, and pest management than traditional turfgrass lawns. 
• Reduced mowing saves time, fuel, and equipment costs.

Reduced Water and Chemical Use

• Many lawn alternatives require little to no supplemental irrigation after establishment.
• Fertilizer applications are often unnecessary or greatly reduced.
• Reduced reliance on herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides lowers costs and environmental impacts.

Greater Biodiversity

• Pollinator lawns, native turf alternatives, and prairie plantings support a wider range of plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife. 
• Flowering species provide nectar and pollen resources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
• Increased plant diversity can create more resilient landscapes with fewer pest and disease problems.

Better Adaptation to Site Conditions

• Many lawn alternatives, such as groundcovers, can succeed in shady locations where turfgrass struggles.
• Native grasses and prairie plants can be selected for dry, wet, sunny, or difficult sites.
• Areas that are steep, difficult to mow, or poorly suited to turf can often be better managed with alternative plantings and won't require mowing or frequent maintenance, which is challenging in these sites.

Environmental Benefits

• Much like traditional lawns, lawn alternatives, such as prairies and meadows, improve water infiltration, reduce erosion, and decrease nutrient losses from runoff.
  • In certain settings, alternative lawns may do this better than traditional ones.
• Deep-rooted native plants help build soil structure and increase organic matter.
• Alternative landscapes can provide habitat and food sources that are largely absent in traditional lawn monocultures.

Unique Beauty and Interest

• Alternative lawns can provide seasonal flowers, textures, movement, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Homeowners can create landscapes that better reflect local ecosystems and personal preferences.

Challenges of Alternative Lawns

May Not Tolerate Heavy Use

• Many groundcovers, prairie plantings, and meadow areas cannot withstand frequent foot traffic, sports, or active play as well as traditional turfgrass.
  • Areas used this way will be bare, inviting unwanted weeds.
• Areas used regularly by children or pets may still require traditional turfgrass or durable turf alternatives.

Establishment Takes Time

• Some alternative lawns require significant time (5+ years) before they reach their intended appearance and function. 
  • This is particularly true for prairie and meadow plantings, which often require 5 to 7 years to fully establish.
• Newly established plantings may appear sparse while plants become established and fill in.
  • When not managed appropriately and consistently, these sparse areas quickly become overrun with unwanted weeds.

Different Maintenance, Not No Maintenance

• Alternative lawns still require management, especially during establishment.
• Weed control, occasional mowing, cutting back vegetation, overseeding, or renovation may be necessary. 
• Weed management both during establishment and once fully established can be particularly difficult and time consuming in most alternative lawns. It often requires regular hand-pulling or spot spraying of herbicides to keep unwanted vegetation out.
  • Prairie and meadow plantings, in particular, can quickly become overrun by undesirable plants if ignored.

Public Perception and Expectations

• Alternative lawns may look different from the traditional short, weed-free lawn that many people expect.
• Neighbors, homeowners' associations, or local ordinances may not always allow or support taller or more naturalistic landscapes. 
• Less-frequently mowed lawns can sometimes be perceived as unkempt even when intentionally managed.

Upfront Costs

• Converting turfgrass to groundcovers, pollinator lawns, or prairie plantings often requires initial investments in site preparation, seed, plants, mulch, or professional installation, which may be significant.
• While maintenance costs are often lower over time, establishment costs can be higher than simply maintaining an existing lawn. 

Plant Selection Matters

• Not every alternative is suitable for every location.
  • A good understanding of your site is essential to selecting the best type of lawn and species to plant.
• Species must be matched to sunlight, soil moisture, drainage, and intended use.
• Poor plant selection can result in plant loss, weed invasion, and disappointing performance.

Some Alternatives Sacrifice Certain Lawn Functions

• Prairies, meadows, and dense groundcovers may provide excellent ecological benefits but often do not function as recreation spaces. 
• Homeowners may need a combination of traditional lawn and alternative plantings to balance aesthetics, ecology, and usability. 

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After considering each of these factors, advantages, and disadvantages, you can determine what is best for your landscape. Learn more in this article: Lawn Alternatives to Turfgrass.