COMMENT 195693P
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2011-07-23 11:07 AM |
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It would be nice to win this book, but I will buy it if I don't win it. ;-) I have Bermuda grass in need of dethatching, gophers, moles, rabbits, deer and chiggers. No irrigation system, no time, and no space in my garage for the mower. Other than The Bambi herd, I think this book will provide ideas for nice looking alternatives.
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COMMENT 195763
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2011-07-23 01:49 PM |
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There are MANY sins in Florida as well. I am in the process of assessing my situation here in the middle of a drought, fighting chickweed, nursing St Augustine grass, loving aloe and Century plants more and wondering, Why am I fighting the obvious? Am discovering more native plants @ every trip to the local Farmers Market. Brave New World? I wonder. Signing off: Needing all the help I can get in the Redneck Riviera...
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COMMENT 195788
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2011-07-23 03:07 PM |
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I've already changed my bad-boy lawns to flower and vegie garden, with naturals and succulents. My gal pal, however, is in need of this book. She retires very soon, and will be needing ideas and help to change her ways. Thanks, Billy! michele
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COMMENT 195797
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2011-07-23 03:42 PM |
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That hotel really would see a boost in eco-tourism if folks could watch the hummingbirds & butterflies as they sat outdoors.. Nice. I've always thought the first step to restoring natural environment is with the lawns of suburbia!
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JELLYFISH
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2011-07-24 06:59 AM |
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My front and backyards are completely lawn free, planted with drought tolerants. Now I am about to remove my nemesis, the swimming pool, from my backyard. Once done, I wonder how I can re-landscape using the ideas from this book with the added challenge of being a dog-friendly yard?
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HOLAZOLA
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2011-07-24 07:39 AM |
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That looks likes like a very useful book! I have two lawns, but I still have kids and dogs romping around upon them. Maybe I don't need so much? hmmm.
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COMMENT 195886P
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2011-07-24 08:10 AM |
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We have a cottage in downtown Carp. It would be lovely to remove our front lawn, but we have some challenges such as a narrow driveway and no walkways other than a thin concrete path from the driveway. We'd need some logical paths, and they'd need to be ADA as we want to age in place. In the back yard, we'd be able to remove probably 1/2 the lawn, and just leave a small patch for the occasional banquet table or something.
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COMMENT 195887
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2011-07-24 08:12 AM |
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I have a lawn, but since it it all crabgrass and oxalis, I doubt it would ever be anything else. So I solved the problem. I don't water it !
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COMMENT 195888
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2011-07-24 08:18 AM |
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I have a big portion of my front yard now ice plant and ground cover that sprung up by itself. In the back it's ground cover and I'm throwing out clover seed in all the bare spots. We need something green for the dogs to walk/run play on. I would like more ideas though to use but we're not fans of desert type plants.
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COMMENT 195889
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2011-07-24 08:18 AM |
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Carol designed my front yard - gone is the grass, and in its place, beautiful, low maintenance, low cost landscaping with a meadow feel. If you want to know the address so you can drive by and admire or ask questions, let me know!
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TROLLEY TOM
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2011-07-24 08:23 AM |
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We need to redo a large section of our front yard. A friend said that it is like a blank canvas, ready for a whole new concept. The book sounds perfect for us!
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COMMENT 195892
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2011-07-24 08:26 AM |
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Your article is much appreciated and I wholly agree with your assessment of lawns and their negative environmental impact. Since a quick google check on "Greenswards" produced no results other than the fact that it is a term for grasslands or grassy steppes, could you perhaps indicate where one might learn more about this? I gather that it is an artificial product and I would be very interested in replacing a strip of lawn with such material or converting the lawn to a meadow. However, since it is the only flat area around my house, it does need to tolerate foot traffic and be level enough to permit setting up patio tables, etc.
Thank you again for a most informative article.
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COMMENT 195911
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2011-07-24 09:04 AM |
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How about replacing your lawn with an edible garden? Veggies, herbs, fruit trees? Anyone?
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COMMENT 195915
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2011-07-24 09:08 AM |
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I too am fairly anti-lawn. Since buying my house I have removed about half of the grass in the back, but the big project will be replacing the front lawn with something that reduces maintenance and water usage while improving curb appeal. This book could be just the inspiration I need to again pick up my shovel!
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COMMENT 195928
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2011-07-24 09:27 AM |
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Great article, Billy. I agree that this is a great book with a multitude of inspirational ideas.
195911, we took out our front lawn and replaced it with a 'backbone' of drought-tolerant Mediterraneans and a few natives against the house, and a swath of rosemary, lavender, and succulents along the front. In the 'center' is an eclectic mix of fruit trees, veggies, fruit, herbs, and flowers. It looks nice year-round, has dramatically cut our food bill and improved our diet, and we know most of our neighbors and trade veggies for avocados and other things. A native grass lawn can be useful for kids and dogs - check out the Buffalo grass lawn at UCSB's Loma Pelona center in Manzanita Village.
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COMMENT 195933P
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2011-07-24 09:37 AM |
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Kitkatbar, I'd like to drive by for a glimpse of meadow. I'm in the mulling it over stage and could use guided inspiration. Thank you, and thank you to Billy & book authors.
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COMMENT 195935
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2011-07-24 09:46 AM |
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Yikes! Just getting ready to tear out some lawn tomorrow. Would love to hear ideas on getting rid of grass for the larger section 0f lawn that will be removed in the future.
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COMMENT 195952
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2011-07-24 10:38 AM |
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I replaced part of my grass with a vegetable garden. Come over today to see it at the Westside Garden Exchange from 2-4. 603 W. Islay. We will be having a speaker from 2:30-3:00, music, refreshments and fruits and veggies, seeds, plants & cuttings to share.
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COMMENT 195973P
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2011-07-24 11:18 AM |
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What an entertaining and informative article! We don't have a lawn and never have. My husband thinks it's ridiculous to even consider having one where we live, and I agree. Not to mention that our soil is horrid so it wouldn't grow anyway. With the exception of a few plants, we can go weeks without watering and our plants are fine. That said, the majority of our backyard is barren because we're not sure what to do with it.
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WAHINE
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2011-07-24 11:19 AM |
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Even if I were to win this book, I'm buying one for my neighbor to leave anonymously on his doorstep. In his retirement years he's apparently too busy to water his yard himself, so twice a day (even when it's raining), his sprinklers come on.
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SBREAL
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2011-07-24 02:02 PM |
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My other pain in the landscape is Santa Barbara's infatuation with eugenia or pitisporum hedges. What a waste time, water, energy and money to plant and maintain these gobblers. 5 years ago we toarout the 7 ft hedge and created a nice sunny spot where we planted a lovely succulent garden. We now feel more secure with the house fully exposed to the street. We have a small lot so the additional garden space is a bonus. We also see our neighbors regularly. So my recommendation is to chop the hedge and improve your property.
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COMMENT 196289
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2011-07-25 09:25 AM |
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I really want to replace our lawn by my husband insists that we need it for the dogs. I don't necessarily agree with him that the dogs need a grassy expanse, but any suggestions on what to replace lawn with so that the dogs are happy too would be much appreciated.
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HDB
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2011-07-25 10:51 AM |
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This book looks lovely and I hope to have a space someday where I can rip out the lawn and put these nice plants (and veggies too!). Pick me! Pick me!
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KNITALIFE
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2011-07-25 12:34 PM |
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My little Westside patch-o'-weeds is the scourge of our cute little block. It used to be grass but now it is dandelion heaven. I have been picking up the pieces of my life little by little over the past year. First the inside of the house, next the garage, now my yard. My friend took me by the hand this weekend to the gardening store to get ideas for a "makeover." This book sounds like the PERFECT how-to manual to transform my yard!
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COMMENT 197837
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2011-07-28 07:51 PM |
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I just picked two and a half pounds of green beans on a patch of land that was lawn one year ago. It took three years to get rid of all the grass because I dug it out myself and composted it. 58 when I began. 61 now. Never too late. Beans were delicious.
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COMMENT 198227
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2011-07-29 05:15 PM |
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I think this article should be printed and hung on half the doors of Southern California homes and businesses. As always, delightfully written, Billy!
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