Just wondering if anyone here has a backyard with no grass?

I'm just trying to think of a number of different idea's/ways to create a water wise garden that has mostly native plants and wondering what to do with some area's if I don't put in grass.

Photo's would also be great

There's quite a few pics and great ideas in here. Dry creek beds, natives and even a billabong from memory. Lots of great ideas.

Edit: would help if I provided the link.... .. sorry!

http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=10213

no lawn in my backyard

Raised beds and paving

Photos!!

No

Awww! Photo's are a must on here

In my area the council says we must have a certain grass to hard surface ratio.

Given the usual driveway and paths, that doesn't leave much room to move when you take in the garden beds too.

Wow really? In my estate, within 6 months of moving in I need to submit my plans for my front garden and it needs to be drought tolerant and have lots of mulch etc etc - there is going to be no grass in my front yard!

Still unsure about the backyard, hence the thread

We actually had to submit plans for the gardens to council with the house plans. We had to state which plants and everything. The builder did it without our consent and we had trouble with council over it.

I've got a 621 square meter block and have 200 square meters of grass.

Once I took my retaining walled gardens into the equation, I can't have the big deck I want.

No lawn anywhere here. We moved in just over 12 months ago; the backyard is paved courtyard with pool (which I think will one day make a very good tank!) and have not long completed pulling out the lawn in the front and installing a lovely vegie garden. I'm now eyeing off the so-called 'nature strip' to see what can be done with that useless patch of grass! I'm thinking of extending the herbs and vegies out there with some easy to grow and pick-and-come-back varieties which people can just help themselves to if they wish which will offer some variety in colour and shape as well.

Good luck with the planning - i really like the idea of no lawn!

you do want to provide photo's Fu!

/jedi powers

I'm with Alison - I'm aiming to dig up the nature strip and plant something sane and sensible. As long as the developer is taking care of the watering, mowing and re-seeding, I'll let it go....once the two-year maintenance period is up, it's gone!

Here's a few ideas:

[ img ]

[ img ]

[ img ]

I have more, but no time to upload. Gotta go out!

later.....

More no lawn pics:

[ img ]

[ img ]

[ img ]

[ img ]

[ img ]

I also love, love, LOVE this one....it featured in a landscaping magazine a while back and I tore out the photos for my ideas file. I can't post the photos, the website uses Flash and my imaging software isn't playing nice at the moment - you'll have to click on the link. It's worth it:

http://www.secretgardens.com.au/bronte.html


Here are a few more:

[ img ]

[ img ]

[ img ]

Great photo's Kek, thanks

Just curious what that is around the pavers?

It's some kind of fine gravel, Lisanne. You could use Lilydale toppings in the same way - we've done that with our front path. The good thing about toppings is they pack down really hard and firm in a short time. Not sure about that particular gravel, but you can talk to the garden centre guys if you want advice on the best material to use.

That particular photo was from the PD Illoura display at Riverdale (now closed).

Display homes can be great sources of ideas for landscaping. I go looking at decorating and landscaping now - I completely ignore the floorplans.

Thanks

I'm thinking gravel type paths like that or mulchy (pea staw/lucern) type stuff for paths so far - I've got a while to work this stuff out

Mulch would be OK, but forget pea straw or lucerne, it breaks down far too quickly, and would be mushy underfoot in no time. Also, I don't know about lucerne, but pea straw will have you pulling out billions of pea seedlings every week. It can be great for garden beds, but not ideal for this sort of situation.

Harder mulch like redgum, pine bark and the like would work better. Or pebbles or gravel....

I'm concerned red gum or pine bark would be too hard and ***** underfoot though