Front Yard Landscaping
Front Yard Landscaping: It Doesn’t Have to be Lawn
As we learn more about the harmful impact turfgrass has on the environment, coupled with California drought and watering restrictions, homeowners are beginning to consider other ideas for landscaping their front yards. While a neatly trimmed lawn with foundation landscaping is the essence of the American experience, growing willingness to take part in helping the planet has us looking first at the way we live, particularly on our own properties. For homeowners who are stumped for ideas for their front yard landscaping, here are several to get you started:
Plant it up
If you’re going to grow something, of course it doesn’t have to be grass! If you prefer for your front yard landscape to lay low, stick to groundcovers which can spread and take over the area before weeds do. Consider also low ornamental grasses that provide interesting textures and maybe even a pop of color. If you have the space and maybe want a little privacy, there’s no reason you can’t plant larger shrubs in the yard area, away from the foundation. But even shrubs come in a variety of sizes, textures, and colors, making their use boil down to just personal preference.
Put up a paved paradise
Where better to watch the world go by than from the front of your house? And thus, adding hardscaped living area shouldn’t be confined to just the backyard. While privacy is a consideration, we solved that in the last section with larger plant materials. Use them to surround a small patio, hardscaped with pavers or stamped concrete. You might even float some large flagstones set on an aggregate bed to create a more informal look that ties nicely with the surrounding front yard landscaping.
Get gravelly
And speaking of aggregate, after pavement, there’s nothing lower maintenance in the landscape than decorative stone. No need for a green thumb to keep this going, plus it’s actually great for the environment, inviting the percolation of stormwater but without all the fertilization and watering that plants need. The options are nearly endless, too, particularly when used in combinations—larger boulders set in a bed of granite or pea gravel, for instance. And, as we discussed earlier, gravels, crushed stone, and decomposed granite are easily paired with the clean lines of hardscape materials such as stepstones, concrete curbing, and landscape timbers.
Go faux
It bears mentioning that artificial turf has really taken off in recent years with the introduction of more realistic-looking products that are easy to install and last a decade or more. It’s another low maintenance option that doesn’t require you to give up on the fun that can be had on a traditional lawn, either. And sustainable? Yep. Artificial turf is designed to encourage uptake of stormwater, letting it pass through to layers of aggregate below. You can ditch your polluting mower, too and keep your weekends free for recharging your own batteries.
Even if you know now what to do with your front yard landscaping, it takes the eye and experience of a landscape professional to pull it all together. Take the time to talk to a local contractor to get an idea of what you might be able to do that’s within your budget and time available to perform maintenance—although landscaper can help with that second one, as well!
I have used SB evolution landscape for 2 years, since purchase of my first home. I am very pleased with their service, from routine maintenance to clearing an entire hillside and planting a series of hydrangeas in a shady spot for me, as they are my favorite flower. They are very responsive to emails and phone calls and have given me a bouquet of flowers on completion of both bigger projects. Plus, my roses, orange trees, bamboo, callalillies, begonia and all other plants are so much healthier than when I purchased this property. Thank you Evolution!
They came out with their team and did a thorough investigation of what my yards needed. Jorge and his team are knowledgeable, work rapidly and the work is guaranteed.The office staff is quite helpful and can answer questions you may have. Beverly Silver
I was very impressed with the prompt, professional service from this company. Jorge showed up to go over the tree trimming project, made helpful suggestions and answered all my questions. The team that arrived to do the project was friendly, efficient and cleaned up all the debris spotlessly. I am very pleased with the customer service and high quality of the work of this company. Thank you, SB Evolution Landscape!
