For many homeowners, a lush, grassy lawn seems like the ideal landscaping for their front yard. However, with the desert heat in Arizona, maintaining all that grass is not just difficult, it’s expensive. Grass is simply not meant to thrive in the desert, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a pleasant yard or cover the space entirely in gravel. Here are a few fantastic alternatives to the traditional American lawn that homeowners in desert climates can both enjoy and incorporate into their landscaping easily.

3 Ideas to Create a Desert-Friendly Yard Without Relying on Gravel Alone

1. Rock Gardens

Water shortages can make caring for non-native plants difficult. Rather than planting a full garden bed of flowers that can’t stand up to the summer heat, install a gravel and rock garden. These gardens incorporate different colors and textures of rock to create eye-catching designs. Best of all, you can incorporate the designs with existing landscaping, helping reduce the amount of water you use on your plants.

2. Concrete Walkways & Patios

If you enjoy entertaining or relaxing in the cool night breeze, incorporating concrete walkways and patios into your landscaping is a fine decision. These areas allow you to use your yard, whether it’s for barbecuing or soaking up the sun, while increasing your total available living space. Your patio can be as simple or complex as you like, with many homeowners opting to build outdoor fire pits, kitchens, and dedicated lounging areas to maximize their relaxation space. All you need is a bit of ready-mix concrete and an experienced excavation team to help you prepare your yard.

3. Mulch

If you don’t like the idea of walking directly on pea gravel or want to increase your ground cover around your newly installed patio, consider adding a layer of mulch to your yard. Mulch prevents unwanted weed growth, redeposits nutrients into the soil, and keeps soil from eroding away in wind and rainstorms. The material is ideal for homeowners worried about controlling erosion and keeping their existing plants happy and healthy without relying on fertilizer or chemicals to get the job done.

If you’re looking to create a unique look for your yard without investing in water-heavy grass, contact the team at Desert Construction based in Kingman, AZ. Their experienced crew will help you find the right pea gravel, crushed stone, and landscaping rocks to make your yard into the paradise you imagine. Learn more online and call (928) 757-2213 for an estimate today.