Yards with Less Turf: Designing Lawns That Earn Their Keep

Wall-to-wall lawn made sense for a different era of water, time, and lot sizes. Today many homeowners keep a usable lawn panel for play and views, then convert awkward strips to beds, groundcovers, or hardscape.

Less turf can mean less mowing and watering — but only if the replacement plantings are thoughtfully designed. Empty gravel fields and random shrubs create their own maintenance. Aim for cohesive beds, efficient irrigation zones, and plant palettes that match your climate.

A landscaper can help you decide which grass stays, which goes, and how to stage the change so the yard still looks finished every season.