Some Seattle gardeners are moving away from grass and instead aiming to landscape or “rewild” their yards by planting wildflowers, clovers and other cover crops , such as vetch, local experts say.
Why it matters: No-mow (or low-mow) lawns have been popular in the Pacific Northwest for decades but demand continues to grow as people seek yard solutions that require less maintenance while also benefiting birds and bees , said Kristin Jackson, co-owner of Urban Earth Nursery in Fremont.
- Yards that feature native plants and other specimens with deeper roots than lawn grass can help soil retain water and fend off erosion.
- In addition to using less water, low-mow grasses and native plants need less fertilizer and fewer chemicals.
Driving the trend: Seeds have become a huge market that consistently grows every year, per Jackson.
- Among the shop’s most popular items is the Territorial Seed Company’s Mow No More mix, a blend of violets, clover and other low-growing plants that can be sprinkled onto existing lawns and bare spots.