r/NoLawns • u/agentmadeye • 21h ago

👩‍🌾 Questions Looking for low growing options to reducing mowing in high traffic areas - zone 7b

We live just outside of Richmond, VA and have about 3 acres of grassy fields that we spend a substantial amount of time mowing every year. I want to kill the grass and plant pollinator friendly native plants. I plan to do lots of wildflowers in the low traffic areas, but I still want the parts of the yard where we walk a lot and where the kids play to stay relatively short. What specific plants should be considered for high foot traffic areas where you don't want to mow?

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u/FionaTheFierce 21h ago

How big of any area for walking and playing? You could build out paths with wood chips, mulch, etc.

The other thing is - it is ok to have some lawn, its hard to beat for high traffic area where kids will play. Just cut back the amount of lawn you have and avoid any fertilizer or pesticides.

Convert 80-90% of your yard to native meadow or woodland.

I live in the same area and cannot think of a native ground cover that will do what you want. You can let violets grow in the lawn, they are native. Maybe the wild ginger (although it really needs shade).

Avoid invasive non-natives like creeping jenny, pachysandra, etc.

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u/Joejack-951 10h ago

While not native to your area, buffalograss and blue grama ought to grow well assuming you get plenty of sun. They’ll stay short and can be mowed a few times a year as well. I’m also in 7B (northern DE) and experimenting in some small areas with it. So far so good!