Before and After: Landscaping

Patience. It’s not something a lot of us are naturally favored with. I am reminded of patience each time we’ve removed a grass lawn at a rental or apartment building. Some surrounding neighbors feel compelled to share their negative opinions of this process.

    “Why would you take out perfectly good (pick your adjective: beautiful, green, healthy) grass?”

BEFORE: no landscaping                           Shortly after installation                           AFTER: 1 year later     

Most landscaping plants require significantly more time to fill in than grass (especially if it is delivered in rolls from a sod farm). A new drought tolerant landscape usually needs 6-12 months to root and spread. Installing smaller sized plants and allowing them to fill in makes the most sense economically. The landscape will look sparse for the first few months with mulch or tree chippings comprising the majority of area as the plants and colors are establishing themselves.

Some neighbors comment negatively shortly after installation because xeriscaping challenges their sense of status quo. We’ve become so accustom to the uniform green grass lawn that front yards filled with other colors can make some feel uncomfortable. After a year the complaints dry out and in fact turn to compliments and interest in installing similar landscaping. Owners report that tenants and neighbors comment on the natural beauty and uniqueness.

The decision to remove grass and replace it with native and drought tolerant plants can be a solely financial decision for rental property owners. It pencils out and then some - see this case study. Water use can be reduced by 80% and require much less frequent maintenance, especially after the first year. Most neighbors and tenants don’t know this.

With a little patience, a lawn can be turned into a sensible and beautiful outdoor space that most everyone will love. Yes, even the naysayers. Sometimes especially.