Sacramento woman, 48, seeks big Os for her G spot...

By which I mean, I need some good OPTIONS to replace the GRASS on my lawn. (What did YOU think I meant?!)

I have a traditional grass lawn in the front and back of my house in Sacramento (northern California). Some parts have shade, some full sun. It is generally a well-behaved lawn and we have a healthy working relationship.

For no explicable reason I am toying with the idea of replacing some of the grass (maybe just in some areas?) with a ground cover. The ground cover would need to have relatively low self-esteem, as I plan to walk all over it.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Val

LOL....before checking out the thread I was thinking it was going to be a spammer


I've seen lots of info on replacing grass with groundcovers when you do a web search I haven't done it myself since my hubby won't let me :)

this site is great has all types of groundcovers and you can do an advanced search for your exact needs, esp how much foot traffic it will receive
http://www.stepables.com/

LOL...I figured it wasn't spam as I know you have been around DG for a while, Boofish. Here is another link for ya

http://www.jeeperscreepersusa.com/Walk-on-regularly_c_8.html

http://www.jeeperscreepers.info/listall.html

Have to admit before I did read the thread, I honestly thought it was some desperate sad person, ha, ha, ha, then thought NOOOOOOO, if it had been a male that had flowered their question up in such a manner, the monitors on the site would never have allowed it through to the forum LOL.

There are numerous Plants that would suit the spot your looking to cool yourself down a bit under foot, then my best choice would be thyme, there are spreading thymes and sented lemon thymes that as you walk over them, their perfume is thrown up and the smell is wonderful, apparently very good for the soul.
This family of plants have some types that will only grow 4 inches or 6 inches in other types, spread much larger, you can run the mower over them after flowering and they will come back again with bells on.

Best of luck, WeeNel.

Good walk on ground covers, for Sacramento:
Ornamental Strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis will take a lot of traffic, and is not very invasive. Full sun to part shade. It will grow in more shade, but the stems get taller, more wiry, and become a tripping hazard. It tends to stay a bit lower in the sun, and where it gets walked on it can stay almost flat to the ground.

There are a few others that may take more traffic, but are also more invasive. This may work for you, these ground covers will grow into the lawn, and one or the other will eventually take over.
Phylla nodiflora is very good at invading a lawn, but makes a good, tight ground cover. Bees like it, though, so maybe it is not the best ground cover in a high traffic place.

Potentilla, a polite invader, that will show pretty yellow flowers in the lawn without really taking over too much. It is not the best for high traffic, though. Good between stepping stones. It does not mind being walked on in a lawn, though.

If you know that the area will have a pretty constant traffic pattern in one path, use stepping stones in that path, then a ground cover between them. Then you do not need to make sure it can handle lots of foot traffic, just an occasional step.
For sun, something like Creeping Mint (into part shade), Chamomile, or almost any of the Thyme ground covers could work around stepping stones. (Chamomile may invade a lawn a little bit. This is not the chamomile that tea comes from)
For shade, something like Baby Tears, or one of the smaller Campanulas would be worth looking into. Duchesnia indica is one of my favorites, but is a bit tall for a walk-on ground cover. Really nice in planter areas, though, and OK between stepping stones, if you step high.
Mazus reptans will grow in a wetter than average location, sun to part shade. Showy little flowers, too. Best between flagstones, though it will handle a fair amount of traffic. It may creep into the lawn a bit, but not take over.

You could make a living patio with the right ground cover and plenty of well placed flagstones.

If the area is well prepared, and very level, then many ground covers can be rejuvenated by mowing. Some once a year, some less often (every 2-5 years).

I wouldn't begin to try to advise someone in CA but love your thread! Good luck, thanks for the chuckle!

O, come on, Boofish1...don't lead us on like that, and then leave us unrequited.

I can't believe you would want something that just lays there! I bet you'd rather have some spunk, some initiative...creativity even. Surprises you when you least suspect it - but thoughtful, diligent, and...Carex.

There are 140 or so native to California - I bet you could find one to measure up. Or at least enjoy entertaining their attentions...