The new front lawn: for some homeowners, grass is not greener - home & family

FED UP WITH THE HARD WORK of maintaining a perfect lawn, some homeowners have eschewed grass for ivy, moss, native plants and trees, rocks, or hardy flowers. Forgoing grass is also better for the environment: You don't need a lawn mower (which pollutes air) and can usually skip a sprinkler (which wastes water) and conventional fertilizers (which contain toxic chemicals), says Gordon Geballe, Ph.D., co-author of Redesigning the American Lawn (Yale University Press, 2001).

You don't have to dig up your entire lawn right away to make the switch, says Geballe. First, figure out what grass alternatives you like, and then change just a small part of your yard. Once you're satisfied with your design concept, replace your grass one section at a time. For more tips on how to get started, we recommend the Xeriscape Handbook (Fulcrum Publishing, 1999) by Gayle Weinstein. --K.P.L.