Grass Alternative Lawn - Ask Extension
Need some help with grass alternative lawn. We live in NWOH with four large dogs. Clover doesn't seem to be working out - too delicate for the dogs. W...
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Grass Alternative Lawn #892792
Asked February 18, 2025, 5:20 PM EST
Need some help with grass alternative lawn. We live in NWOH with four large dogs. Clover doesn't seem to be working out - too delicate for the dogs. We are talking about an acre and during the summer gets the sun/heat for most of the day. Black Swamp "soil". Also have chickens and will be starting bees so interested in something with flowers and would prefer something that maybe only needs mowed 2-3 times a year.
Lucas County Ohio
Expert Response
Thanks for your great question.
Creeping Jenny and herbs such as thyme are quite hardy to withstand dog traffic. There are several types of sedge - Pennsylvania and Ivory - which could be included in your field.
Did you know you can buy dandelion seeds? They are very hardy and support bees. A dandelion field can actually be beautiful!
You might like to try a prairie seed mix which includes native grasses and flowers. This site recommends several native flowers which will support your bees and other insects. https://www.metroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MetroParks-Prairie-Plants-Brochure.pdf
It mentions cone flower, little blue stem grass, and Virginia mountain mint among others. This type of field will take a few years to establish, but would need to be mowed only a few times a year mainly to limit trees which might sneak in.
The process of replacing your grass may be daunting. Here is an article that suggests steps. https://www.rewildingmag.com/replace-lawn-with-native-plants/ Tilling and chemicals are discouraged. First, don't mow this spring. I think since your field is so large, you could just intersperse plants or seeds in the grass without removing it all. I would probably just scrape the grass off strips or areas to start. Every year plant more seeds or plants. As your unmowed grass grows longer, other plants may appear. It will be a several year process. Eventually the natives might takeover the grass that remains.
I am so proud of you! Replacing lawns with native species is vital. See Doug Tallamy's https://www.alleghenyfront.org/doug-tallamy-your-lawn-is-an-ecological-deadzone-the-case-for-replacing-it-with-native-plants/#:~:text=Tallamy:%20If%20we%20have%2040%20million%20acres%2C,put%20towards%20conservation%20where%20there%27s%20now%20lawn.
I wish you success! Sincerely,
Creeping Jenny and herbs such as thyme are quite hardy to withstand dog traffic. There are several types of sedge - Pennsylvania and Ivory - which could be included in your field.
Did you know you can buy dandelion seeds? They are very hardy and support bees. A dandelion field can actually be beautiful!
You might like to try a prairie seed mix which includes native grasses and flowers. This site recommends several native flowers which will support your bees and other insects. https://www.metroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MetroParks-Prairie-Plants-Brochure.pdf
It mentions cone flower, little blue stem grass, and Virginia mountain mint among others. This type of field will take a few years to establish, but would need to be mowed only a few times a year mainly to limit trees which might sneak in.
The process of replacing your grass may be daunting. Here is an article that suggests steps. https://www.rewildingmag.com/replace-lawn-with-native-plants/ Tilling and chemicals are discouraged. First, don't mow this spring. I think since your field is so large, you could just intersperse plants or seeds in the grass without removing it all. I would probably just scrape the grass off strips or areas to start. Every year plant more seeds or plants. As your unmowed grass grows longer, other plants may appear. It will be a several year process. Eventually the natives might takeover the grass that remains.
I am so proud of you! Replacing lawns with native species is vital. See Doug Tallamy's https://www.alleghenyfront.org/doug-tallamy-your-lawn-is-an-ecological-deadzone-the-case-for-replacing-it-with-native-plants/#:~:text=Tallamy:%20If%20we%20have%2040%20million%20acres%2C,put%20towards%20conservation%20where%20there%27s%20now%20lawn.
I wish you success! Sincerely,
