By Jeanne Yeoman, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Convert Lawns to Gardens. There are benefits to reducing the size of your lawn. You can save time and energy on lawn maintenance, reduce your overall water usage, and enhance biodiversity by providing food and shelter for pollinating insects and wildlife.
Make a plan – changes can be made gradually over several seasons. Lawn replacements can include ground covers, xeriscape plantings, perennial flower beds, trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens.
Consider planting native trees, shrubs, and ground covers, native grasses, and wildflowers. They will require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. Pollinators, birds, and other wildlife will benefit too.