Have you ever had a patch of grass too hard to mow? Well consider using herbs to fill in those tough spots. Creeping thyme, wooly thyme, perennial chamomile also known as Roman chamomile or pennyroyal can take some traffic without damage.These are great herbs to replace the lawn.
Just think of the fragrance released with every step. Pennyroyal is a form of mint and will also repel most insects. Creeping varieties of herbs have a wonderful feel and fragrance as you walk on them. These herbs are not hard to maintain or get started.
Herbs can be mixed with cool season grasses, such as rye, bluegrass, or fescues. They add a touch of color in cold winter regions. Roman chamomile has small white daisy like flowers. Both have a wonderful fragrance especially when step on.
How to Grow:
Sprinkle the seeds on loosened soil (where grass is not growing) or plant seedlings in bare spots. Water well and keep soil moist until plants become established.Once established they take very little care, especially thyme. Every few years they may need to be replaced as they may get a woody center. Take cuttings or divide plants.
In the lawn where you have mixed herbs with grasses you may need to mow every other week. But in the areas with just herbs, mow only a few times a year or leave completely alone.
A Quilt for your yard:
How about creating a show piece in the yard by planting creeping thyme in quilt like pattern with creeping variety of golden marjoram. Marjoram is lime green where the thyme is dark green. Add a statue or other garden art and you will have an area everyone will notice.
Stepping Stones:
These same herbs work great around stepping stones. Other plants might include low forming sediums. Set the plants about six inches apart between the stepping stones. These herbs should fill in by the end of summer. Next year, you may need to cut back the plants to keep the area looking good.
Two thymes for these projects include low-growing English thyme and Mother of thyme. These work in sunny location or part shade. Especially after noon shade. Creeping forms of thyme will provide a dense mat as well as being durable for walking.
Roman chamomile grows best in full sun to part shade. Grows 5-6 inches tall and works in zones 4-8. Tolerates light foot traffic. Have fun with your new herbal lawn.