I don't like grass. Can I just replace the whole front yard with a giant rock garden?

Question

I live in Ohio, where everyone has grass in the front yard (as opposed to out West)

Any problems with this?

Answer 1

I live in Ohio, too, and I think it's a wonderful idea. You may have to check with some authorities as to how many feet you need to be back from the street and how high is too high with the rocks. You do realize that it's considered an "attractive nuisance" to kids who love to throw what they can get their hands on, so you may have to carry extra insurance to protect your neighbors, don't you? You may be asked to seal, cement, or "pave" the first couple of feet around the perimeter to keep the rocks from "wandering" into your neighbor's yards or onto the sidewalk. If I had the opportunity, I would cover the yard in paving stones, with some small leafy plant at the junctures to keep out the dandelions, but that's not as pretty as your idea.

Answer 2

Just make sure that if you are going to Zero Scape(that is what it is usually referred to), that when you remove all the grass and such that you lay down a good weed preventer so that when grass tries to regrow underneath, it cant come up through the rocks.

There is also if you just dont like mowing, they have grass that doesn't grow to be but a few inches long at most and that could cut down on time. The thing that sucks about rocks is if you have kids, it is hot and not very welcoming. Also it is harder to rake leaves out of rock then out of grass.

There are pro's and cons and it really depends on the size of your front yard.

Answer 3

Are you in a deed restricted subdivision or does your town have ordinances? I would check on that first. I know in our subdivision you could never get away with it. You would be levied fines until it was corrected.

Have you considered Zeroscaping? It it becoming more and more common in Florida now that we go into serious drought after the Hurricane season ends. So really we have 6 months wet and 6 months dry. It is using plants that have a very low water requirement. Check with a nursery or your Agricultural department. You could enlarge your landscape areas and minimize the lawn. Add a big patio, that should be acceptable. Good Luck.

Of course in the southwest it it common because of the water situation.

Answer 4

If you have a homeowner's association with rules agains it or laws against it, yeah, it could be a problem. Otherwise, DO IT! Better yet, plant groundcover and beds along with it. Make it the best looking most impressive thing people have ever seen and they'll love it instead of hating it. Use native plants that will need little care (and no mowing, of course). If they still hate it, they're idiots.

Answer 5

The only problem would be if you had a Homeowner's Association that requires you to have grass or possibly against some other community standards.

Answer 6

Its your yard. Call the city to make sure you are not in anyones "tell you what to do" jurisdiction, and rock on. I agree it is silly of our neighbors to spend so much time/money trying to make their grass grow, going as far as buying fancy growth products, when after all that they have to mow it down before they can get back to their water and grow time. Then back to mow time. aimless cycle i guess.

Answer 7

I can't really think of any.

In fact, lawns themselves are a relatively new invention, dating from feudal times when the lords liked to keep the areas around their castles cleared so they could see who was coming. Everyone else used what we now consider a lawn for gardening space.

Answer 8

Personally, i think it would be tacky. But, its your yard and you may do whatever you want with it.

Your neighborhood or homeowners association may have a problem with it though. I would check with them before doing anything.

Answer 9

Do it. Its your yard. It will save water and work.

Answer 10

you need to check the deed restrictions of your prorerty.