As Utah’s drought continues and Utahns look for drought-tolerant options to replace traditional grass, one Utah horticulturist suggests planting an alternative lawn.
Liz Braithwaite, a horticulturist from Brigham City, was a guest on the KSL Greenhouse program this week. She discussed the pros and cons of planting an alternative lawn with yarrow, clover, and fine fescue.
“Mostly it was just cutting the weeds back. I didn’t worry about removing any annual weeds, I just cut them back all the way — got rid of any perennial weeds and seeding it and making sure it gets watered. I would just seed it down and make sure it gets watered,” said Braithwaite.
Braithwaite explained that this lawn grows really well.
“I love it because I can plant trees and I will just plant them in the clover. I don’t have to worry about problems with competing as much, so when the trees are in (the) lawn they tend to get really out-competed by the lawn.”
In horticultural terms, plants “compete” for available resources. This competition can affect the growth and fitness of a single plant, as well as the plants that surround it.
Braithwaite said this type of lawn has less maintenance and has held up fairly well with light traffic. She said that if there is a lot of traction on the lawn, from kids or pets, for example, this type of lawn may not be the best option.
Learn more about how to plant an alternative lawn in the podcast below!
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