- 1. Ditch grass<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Try xeriscaping<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Native knows best<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Go for ground cover<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Don\u2019t miss mulch<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Heard of hardscaping?<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Weave in winter interest<\/a><\/li>
- The final word on low-maintenance landscaping in Tulsa<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Ditch grass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"meadow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_leslie-bowman-pfcmd2nrqpe-unsplash.jpg\")
Leslie Bowman<\/a> | Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure> A white picket fence and lush green lawn might be the popular picture-perfect American home, but it\u2019s not the only way to create a beautiful backyard, nor is it always the smartest<\/a>.\u00a0
What\u2019s left out of that picture? Hours spent mowing, edging, and seeding and money spent on herbicide, fungicide, and fertilizer. The dense, lush turf we know and love can take a lot of work to maintain, and not everyone wants to spend their Saturday afternoons caring for a finicky lawn.\u00a0<\/p>Not to mention, Tulsa summers can be brutal on grass. You can avoid unsightly dead or dormant patches by swapping out grass for something that won\u2019t wilt in the summer heat. <\/p>
So what do you replace it with? You have options! There\u2019s xeriscaping, native gardens, ground cover, and more. We\u2019ll go through each of these in more detail, so keep reading. Even if you don\u2019t want to give up grass, incorporating some of these landscaping techniques is an easy way to take your yard to the next level.<\/p>
Advantages of replacing grass<\/strong>:<\/p>
- Reduces water usage<\/li>
- Reduces or eliminates time spent mowing<\/li>
- Lowers chance of fungal diseases and pests<\/li> <\/ul>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: If you hire a landscaper, you can expect to pay around $1.50 per square foot <\/strong>for sod removal and disposal.<\/p>
2. Try xeriscaping<\/span><\/h2>
![\"xeriscaping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_16186208454_d95bceab8a_c.jpg\")
leighklotz<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Xeriscaping<\/a> may sound like something from another planet, but it\u2019s actually specially adapted for our climate here on Earth. It focuses on reducing water needs by combining hardscaping, native plants, and rock designs.<\/p>
Components of a xeriscape:<\/strong><\/p>
- Rock garden:<\/strong> This is an area where boulders, stones, and rocks are arranged in artful designs that can act as a sanctuary. <\/li>
- Native and drought-resistant plants:<\/strong> Think flowers, vines, shrubs, trees, and ground cover that are adapted to the Tulsa area.<\/li>
- Hardscaping:<\/strong> Incorporate elements like an outdoor kitchen and pavers to add beauty to your landscape with no need for water. <\/li> <\/ul>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: The cost of xeriscaping depends on which elements you choose to include. Rock gardens cost about $700 to install.<\/strong> Drought-resistant plants can cost as little as $5 per plant.<\/strong> <\/p>
3. Native knows best<\/span><\/h2>
![\"grouping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_2704732633_7200e5a974_c.jpg\")
Jim, the Photographer<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Don\u2019t tell Mom, but it\u2019s actually native plants that know best. After all, over time native plants adapted to the specific climate of wherever they grow. That means they require less intensive care in order to thrive. <\/p>
Look for plants that thrive in Zone 7a<\/a> (Tulsa\u2019s Hardiness Zone). For starters, here’s our article on the best native plants for Tulsa<\/a>.<\/p>
Benefits of native plants<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>
- Attract pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies<\/li>
- Low maintenance<\/li>
- Lower water bills <\/li> <\/ul>
Native flowers <\/strong>include black-eyed Susans, bee balm, purple coneflower, and wild columbine.<\/p>
Native shrubs<\/strong> include wild hydrangea, elderberry, and winterberry. <\/p>
Native vines<\/strong> include crossvine, trumpet creeper, and virgin\u2019s bower. <\/p>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: The only cost is the plants themselves. Perennials range from $5-$30 per plant.<\/strong> <\/p>
4. Go for ground cover<\/span><\/h2>
![\"creeping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/creeping-thyme.jpg\")
uacescomm<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you\u2019re ready to give up on turfgrass, ground cover is a great alternative. Ground cover<\/a> is any low-lying plant that spreads by a creeping pattern.<\/p>
Ground cover can provide a dense, green base for your landscape without the pain of worrying about finicky turfgrass. This is a great option for Tulsa\u2019s harsh weather or if you have a shady lawn or poor soil. Ground cover will discourage unsightly weeds, too. <\/p>
Sun-loving ground covers: <\/strong><\/p>
- Carpet sedum<\/li>
- Creeping phlox<\/li>
- Faasen\u2019s catmint<\/li> <\/ul>
Shade-loving ground covers: <\/strong><\/p>
- Hosta<\/li>
- Dwarf Solomon\u2019s seal<\/li>
- Wild ginger<\/li> <\/ul>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: The cost of ground cover is about the same as native plants. You can plan to spend between $3 and $12 per square foot<\/strong> covering your lawn with ground cover. <\/p>
5. Don\u2019t miss mulch<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Large](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_4790948343_aa72e71ab4_c.jpg\")
Joe Hoover<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Mulch is the most valuable player in any garden. What is it? Mulch<\/a> is a material you spread on top of your soil that mimics the natural blanket of leaves and branches on a forest floor. You can use tree bark, pine needles, shredded leaves, or grass clippings.<\/p>
Benefits of mulch:<\/strong><\/p>
- Stops weeds<\/li>
- Stabilizes soil temperatures<\/li>
- Holds moisture<\/li>
- Stabilizes soil to prevent erosion<\/li> <\/ul>
Mulch is especially valuable for getting your garden through the Oklahoma summer. Spread it around the base of trees, flower beds, and vegetable gardens to nourish and protect your plants.<\/p>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: Mulch ranges from $15 to $65 per yard.<\/p>
6. Heard of hardscaping?<\/span><\/h2>
![\"construction](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_3567536267_36c676bd67_c.jpg\")
Andrew Malone<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Your landscape doesn\u2019t just include the living elements. Hardscaping, the inorganic elements and features in your yard, is just as important. This is everything made from stone, plastic, metal, or wood. <\/p>
Examples of hardscaping include:<\/strong><\/p>
- Pergolas<\/li>
- Patios<\/li>
- Benches<\/li>
- Fire pits<\/li>
- Walkways<\/li> <\/ul>
Hardscaping provides aesthetic interest with infrequent maintenance. Benches and other wood elements might need annual staining. Patios and decks may need pressure washing once a year. <\/p>
Adding hardscape elements is a long-lasting and functional way to spruce up your space and turn it from a backyard into a space for entertaining. <\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Add string lights or lanterns to give your yard ambiance. <\/p>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: The cost of hardscaping varies greatly. A patio, for example, costs $3,595 on average. Pavers cost between $1 and $15 per square foot. <\/p>
7. Weave in winter interest<\/span><\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_1image0.jpg\")
Jeff Herman<\/figcaption><\/figure> While you may be excited for Tulsa\u2019s Winterfest, the cold months can seem dreary without a green landscape. There are other ways to bring your backyard to life when temperatures drop. <\/p>
A winter interest plant is a plant that has some aesthetic advantage during the winter. That can mean a tree with peeling bark, a flower with beautiful seed pods, a shrub with winter berries, or colorful ornamental grass.<\/p>
Plants with winter interest:<\/strong><\/p>
- Witch hazel<\/li>
- Prairie dropseed<\/li>
- Beautyberry<\/li>
- Holly<\/li>
- Paperbark maple<\/li> <\/ul>
Approximate cost<\/strong>: Perennials cost a few more dollars than annuals, so plan to spend a minimum of $5 per plant.<\/p>
The final word on low-maintenance landscaping in Tulsa<\/span><\/h2>
Tulsa\u2019s changing climate doesn\u2019t have to mean an end to a beautiful backyard. When you work with the weather, you can achieve a stunning landscape. By choosing resilient plants, functional hardscaping elements, and stress-free ground cover, you\u2019ll be well on your way to having the yard of your dreams in the Oil Capital. <\/p>
If the idea of installing new landscape features yourself sounds overwhelming, <\/em>call a pro.<\/em><\/a> A local landscaping company can take care of design and maintenance so you can kick back and enjoy your backyard.<\/em><\/p>
- Native and drought-resistant plants:<\/strong> Think flowers, vines, shrubs, trees, and ground cover that are adapted to the Tulsa area.<\/li>
- Rock garden:<\/strong> This is an area where boulders, stones, and rocks are arranged in artful designs that can act as a sanctuary. <\/li>
- 2. Try xeriscaping<\/a><\/li>