Question
Dear Charlotte,

  I have a ratty looking lawn, but I am not into all that weeding, feeding, seeding, etc., required to have a pretty lawn.   Could you recommend a care-free alternative for a 60 ft x 40 ft. front lawn in Southeastern PA (zone 6?)  Asphalt is starting to sound good to me, but that would be really ugly, not to mention bad for water run-off.  Is there, by chance, SOME type of living, growing, green ground cover that could approach the low maintenance of asphalt?

Sue

Answer
Hi Sue;
No problem.
My favorite ground cover is asian jasmine, I have it in the area of my lawn that is too shady for grass to grow.
Here in North Texas, it is evergreen. I don't know if it would be in Penn.You are zone 6. I am in zone 7B.It grows well in the shade, and really takes off if it gets into a sunny area.
For more ground covers, ones that also bloom, go to
www.gurneys.com
They are one of the largest seed companies in the country.
You can see pictures of these ground covers there, and order from there if you like.
There are other ground covers besides these. Go to your local nursery and look at what they have.
There is even a rose ground cover, it is called carpet roses.They would probably require more care though.
Ground covers will fix you up, but
I have a gorgeous, lush, thick, weedfree lawn. My hysband and I spend a combined total of about 4 hours per week on our lawn
That is on a front yard just about the size of yours, and a back yard twice as big.We also have a lot of flowers and shrubs to tend, as well as vegetables and fruit trees.
I am an organic gardener, and I don't use pesticides or fertilizers.
My grass greens up sooner in the spring, and stays green longer in the fall, than the neighbors who have not adopted my gardening method.
If you would like to hear my gardening plan to see if you would like to go that way, write me. I am happy to share.
I used to spend half the growing season on my knees digging out weeds. I haven't had to dig a weed in 10 years.They just don't come up.My roses are gorgeous, and no aphids.
I wish I had known 40 years ago what I know now.
Write me if you want to know more.
Charlotte