Except this time we brought in 4 cubic yards of composted cow manure to till into the ground to try to break up the hard compacted clay that masquerades as soil in our yard. Back breaking labor, but I think it worked– thank you Dan!!

As excited as I was about planting Stepables as an alternative ground cover, I made a gross miscalculation and underestimated the cost by about $2,500!!! So instead, after seeing an eco-lawn at Metro’s Demonstration Garden, which I thought looked really pretty and reminded me of a flowering meadow, and reading some of the research articles by Tom Cook at Oregon State University in Corvallis, we have decided to seed our own low maintenance, self fertilizing, little water requiring eco-lawn like the Fleur de Lawn or Envirolawn, described below. I think we will like this solution, and I know our pocket book will as well since less than $30 will cover 750-1,000 sq ft.

Blended from a hardy, low-growing fescue, rich-green ryegrass and nitrogen-fixing clover, this new lawn alternative eliminates the high-maintenance requirements of a conventional grass lawn while it maintains an attractive, always green, low-growing landscape. Sprinkled with annual and perennial flowers for extra color, Enviro-Lawn is ideal for golf course roughs and low-maintenance areas around office parks, cemeteries and parks. Enviro-Lawn establishes quickly and provides an excellent, easy-care ground cover. it requires little or no fertilization, infrequent mowing and minimal watering even in the dry season. With maintenance costs soaring and water usage being limited, Enviro-Lawn is your ideal solution. The savings in time, effort and water will add up quickly.

I can’t wait to see what this will look like. Here is what Tom Cook has to say,

These lawns do look different! They are not intended to produce perfect green lawns. People who understand this seem to like their lawns. Folks who heard this is the latest miracle and try it without researching it first, generally are disappointed and replace their lawn in one to two years. People who want green lawns that don’t grow and never need water should have their heads examined. They will never be happy with this lawn or any other lawn. I generally encourage them to buy a condominium.

Ha!