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nolawns:groundcovers [2026/07/08 03:56] – [Clover Cost Estimate] greatwhitebuffalo41nolawns:groundcovers [2026/07/08 14:56] (current) – [Ragwort (Packera sp.) Coming soon] greatwhitebuffalo41
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 +[[nolawns:thelearningcenter|< Return to No Lawns: The Learning Center]]
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 ====== Ground Covers and Lawn Alternatives ====== ====== Ground Covers and Lawn Alternatives ======
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 Warning, this page is still under construction Warning, this page is still under construction
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 ===== Ground Covers and Lawn Alternatives ===== ===== Ground Covers and Lawn Alternatives =====
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-**Caution**: The the rest of this wiki page is under construction. +**Caution**:  
 + 
 +The the rest of this wiki page is under construction.  
 Wear a hard hat. 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️ >🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧  //  // Wear a hard hat. 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️ >🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧--------------------🚧  //  //
  
  
-==== -- Native Turf Grasses and Sedge Lawns ====+===== Native Turf Grasses and Sedge Lawns =====
  
 There are many native grass and sedge species which can work well in a lawn setting. You might have some of them growing in your lawn currently. It's hard to make too many generalizations about all of these plants, but native lawns often require less mowing, less water, and are more adaptable to the conditions of the climate where they are native.  //  // There are many native grass and sedge species which can work well in a lawn setting. You might have some of them growing in your lawn currently. It's hard to make too many generalizations about all of these plants, but native lawns often require less mowing, less water, and are more adaptable to the conditions of the climate where they are native.  //  //
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 They also tend to be more expensive to install as a lawn / ground cover when compared to turf grasses, but this cost is often offset when considering water savings (location dependent).  //  // They also tend to be more expensive to install as a lawn / ground cover when compared to turf grasses, but this cost is often offset when considering water savings (location dependent).  //  //
  
-==== -- Buffalo grass and Bouteloua species ====+ 
 +===== Buffalo grass and Bouteloua species =====
  
 The genus //Bouteloua// has several grasses which are often used as lawn alternatives. You can see the BONAP native range maps here. Of these,Buffalo Grass, Blue grama, and Side oats grama are some of the most widely available. Buffalo grass in particular is notable due to its short stature (12"). It also has a tendency to flop over,meaning you often don't need to mow it most of the year. Almost all lawns will require some amount of maintenance / weeding, but a buffalo grass lawn grown within its native range is about as close to a maintenance-free lawn as you can get.  //  // The genus //Bouteloua// has several grasses which are often used as lawn alternatives. You can see the BONAP native range maps here. Of these,Buffalo Grass, Blue grama, and Side oats grama are some of the most widely available. Buffalo grass in particular is notable due to its short stature (12"). It also has a tendency to flop over,meaning you often don't need to mow it most of the year. Almost all lawns will require some amount of maintenance / weeding, but a buffalo grass lawn grown within its native range is about as close to a maintenance-free lawn as you can get.  //  //
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   * Side oats grama //Bouteloua curtipendula// 12 to 25 inches  //  //   * Side oats grama //Bouteloua curtipendula// 12 to 25 inches  //  //
  
-=== Bouteloua Cost Estimate ===+==== Bouteloua Cost Estimate ====
  
 ^ Species over seed ^ Rate per 1000 ft<sup>2</sup> ^ Price ^ Cost per 1000 sqft ^ ^ Species over seed ^ Rate per 1000 ft<sup>2</sup> ^ Price ^ Cost per 1000 sqft ^
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 Establishing these type of lawns with plugs is often cheaper / easier than with seed. We need to getsome cost estimates for that. Establishing these type of lawns with plugs is often cheaper / easier than with seed. We need to getsome cost estimates for that.
  
-==== -- Nimblewill ====+ 
 +===== Nimblewill =====
  
 Nimblewill (//Muhlenbergia schreberi//) is a short grass native to much of North America. It's an interesting grass because it's a warm-season or "C4" grass that seems to have a distinct preference for part shade. For years nimblewill has been treated as a lawn weed, and many state extension offices still have articles written about how to manage it:[[https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-control-nimblewill-lawns]]  //  // Nimblewill (//Muhlenbergia schreberi//) is a short grass native to much of North America. It's an interesting grass because it's a warm-season or "C4" grass that seems to have a distinct preference for part shade. For years nimblewill has been treated as a lawn weed, and many state extension offices still have articles written about how to manage it:[[https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-control-nimblewill-lawns]]  //  //
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 But in recent years, many people are starting to talk about all of the benefits of this native turf-like grass.  //  // But in recent years, many people are starting to talk about all of the benefits of this native turf-like grass.  //  //
  
-Pros:    //    //+=== Pros:         ===
  
   * Nimblewill is soft, fairly easy to grow, and it likes the damp shady spots where many turf grasses struggle.    * Nimblewill is soft, fairly easy to grow, and it likes the damp shady spots where many turf grasses struggle. 
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   * Native to large areas of North America.  //  //   * Native to large areas of North America.  //  //
  
-Cons:+=== Cons: ===
  
   * It's a warm-season grass which means it's still still dormant in march when many cool season grasses are greening up. If your current lawn is seeded with warm season grasses already, that might not be an issue, but if your lawn is made of cool season grasses, this will be more noticeable.   * It's a warm-season grass which means it's still still dormant in march when many cool season grasses are greening up. If your current lawn is seeded with warm season grasses already, that might not be an issue, but if your lawn is made of cool season grasses, this will be more noticeable.
   * It's moderately durable but won't tolerate constant foot traffic. In a shady area, nimblewill will be more durable than most turf grasses, but not quite as durable as clover. This can be annoying if you live in a cold area where the clover will then die back in the winter and leave a muddy path where you walk frequently.  //  //   * It's moderately durable but won't tolerate constant foot traffic. In a shady area, nimblewill will be more durable than most turf grasses, but not quite as durable as clover. This can be annoying if you live in a cold area where the clover will then die back in the winter and leave a muddy path where you walk frequently.  //  //
  
-==== -- Yarrow ====+ 
 +===== Yarrow =====
  
 Coming soon  //  // Coming soon  //  //
  
-Pros    //    //+=== Pros         ===
  
   * Extremely drought tolerant    * Extremely drought tolerant 
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   * flowers for pollinators if you let it get taller  //  //   * flowers for pollinators if you let it get taller  //  //
  
-Cons+=== Cons ===
  
   * Can be poisonous to dogs and cats, so it's not a good option for people with pets    * Can be poisonous to dogs and cats, so it's not a good option for people with pets 
   * Grows relatively quickly. It can get to be 3ft tall if it's left unmown; though some cultivarsgrow shorter and more slowly.  //  //   * Grows relatively quickly. It can get to be 3ft tall if it's left unmown; though some cultivarsgrow shorter and more slowly.  //  //
  
-==== -- Self-heal / Heal-all   Coming soon ====+ 
 +==== Self-heal / Heal-all   Coming soon ====
  
 Coming soon Coming soon
  
-==== -- Frog fruit (Phyla sp.)   Coming soon ====+ 
 +==== Frog fruit (Phyla sp.)   Coming soon ====
  
 Coming Soon Coming Soon
  
-==== -- Perennial Peanut  Coming Soon ====+ 
 +==== Perennial Peanut  Coming Soon ====
  
 Coming Soon Coming Soon
  
-==== -- Ragwort (Packera sp.)   Coming soon ====+ 
 +==== Ragwort (Packera sp.)   Coming soon ====
  
 Coming Soon Coming Soon
  
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 +[[nolawns:thelearningcenter|< Return to No Lawns: The Learning Center]]
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