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New Construction Urban Infill Home #753297

Asked June 01, 2021, 2:29 PM EDT

Hi All, We are having a new construction home built in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore. It's an old neighboorhood with plenty of mature trees. We'll have a small front yard (about 20 x 40 feet), a smallish back yard about 40 x 40 and two side yards about 10x40. We have 2 kids aged 9 & 12, and a future labrador. All that said, i'm not very interested in mowing the lawn weekly. I'm thinking about growing 100% microclover. Perhaps in both the front and back yards. The front will get very little use/foot traffic, while the back yard will likely get moderate use. The house is South facing. The side yards are very shady and the front & back will get some sun. What are you thoughts / recommendations?

Baltimore City County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi, Larry,
Your question suggests that you are trying to eliminate moving a lawn, but microclover is not suitable as a replacement for turf. You can read about it in this article by clicking here.
You can read about the advantages and requirements for other lawn alternatives by clicking here.
One alternative that might work for your situation and requirements is pussytoe, Antennaria plantaginifolia, which you can read about by clicking here. This site can be used to research any native plant that you might want to further investigate.
Thank you for your question.
Barbara

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC website and our blog, Maryland Grows. Replied June 02, 2021, 2:09 PM EDT

Larry,

When ready to start planting, make sure to have your soil tested to see if amendments are needed. Here is an article on soil testing.

Barbara

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC website and our blog, Maryland Grows. Replied June 02, 2021, 2:13 PM EDT
Thanks Barbara.  I'll get reading!

On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 02:09:52 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2021, 2:28 PM EDT

You're welcome.

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 03, 2021, 7:18 AM EDT

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