Totally agree with leaving some open space, but how do you balance that with upkeep? I've seen neighbors leave areas undeveloped, and it quickly turns into a jungle of weeds. Maybe planning low-maintenance ground cover or something similar could help?
"Maybe planning low-maintenance ground cover or something similar could help?"
This reminds me of when we first moved into our place—we underestimated how quickly weeds took over the empty patches. Ended up planting creeping thyme and it’s been a lifesaver... looks great, smells nice, and minimal upkeep. Highly recommend it if you're considering ground covers.
"Ended up planting creeping thyme and it’s been a lifesaver... looks great, smells nice, and minimal upkeep."
Creeping thyme is a great suggestion—have you noticed if it handles foot traffic well? I've seen some clients use it between stepping stones, and it seems to hold up nicely. Another option might be clover... it's pretty resilient, attracts pollinators, and adds nitrogen back into the soil. Plus, mowing less often is always a bonus, right?
I've had creeping thyme between stepping stones for about two years now, and it's held up surprisingly well. It does get a little patchy in spots with heavier foot traffic, but it fills back in pretty quickly. Clover's a solid suggestion too—I actually have some white clover mixed into my backyard lawn, and it's been great. The bees love it, and honestly, I haven't had to fertilize that area at all since planting it.
"Plus, mowing less often is always a bonus, right?"
Haha, definitely. I used to dread mowing every weekend, but now it's more like every two or three weeks... huge improvement. One thing to keep in mind with clover though—it can spread pretty aggressively. If you're aiming for neat edges or defined garden beds, you'll probably need to keep an eye on it.
I've thought about using creeping thyme myself, but wasn't sure how it'd hold up under regular foot traffic—good to know it recovers quickly. Clover's tempting too, but the aggressive spread does worry me a bit since I have some pretty defined landscaping beds. Have you (or anyone else here) tried mixing different ground covers together to balance durability and appearance? Curious if that might help keep things tidy without constant upkeep...
