[basketcase]

My daughter asked if we could grow flowers as well as veg - and I'd already decided I'd like to grow 'cut' flowers.  I'd like to go a step further and turn part of the allotment into a garden area (not having one at home).

Question is, what could I use for a lawn that isn't grass?  I don't have a mower/strimmer and can't afford one.  I know about camomile but am not really keen on the smell.  Anything else?

[Celtic Eagle]

Some of the thymes very low creeping types will work Not sure what the varieties are  Someone on here will know!!!

Cheers

[GrannieAnnie]

Astro turf!!!!!

[Jake]

Astro turf!!!!!

I was going to say that but its bloomin expensive. I bought some 4 years ago and it cleaned me out :shock: Still got it actually. Could do a swap

[GrannieAnnie]

Expensive maybe, but you've still got yours 4 years after!!!!  The new stuff looks good.  It has the lines in it too like when you've mown the grass up and back down again to create light and dark lines.

But I was really only kidding Jake, I know its expensive stuff

[Heather_S]

Corsian mint is lovely but it won't stand up to wear and tear. Some oreganos do well but you will still need to mow it or cut it down with shears or secaturs.. they stay as a nice "mat" growing in the winter and don't need cutting then. It costs lots to do a lawn that isn't grass... if you're willing to, oregano is pretty easy to grow from seed so that'd be the cheapest option. Oregano somewhat "creeps" too so it knits together nicely.
http://www.stargazy.org/plants/allotment/2006-04-19/P4190021.jpg The oregano is on the right, three plants that I grew from seed. They're suppose to like welldrained soil but that's clay soil and they do pretty well on it. They get very tall though.. this is a more recent photo (bottom right corner) http://www.stargazy.org/plants/allotment/2006-05-28/P5280057.JPG

[Beanzie]

What size of area are we talking about Basketcase?

I'd be tempted to grow a green manure such as a clover and resign to cutting it with shears on the basis that the material is feeding my compost heap.

[noshed]

If you just want somewhere to sit - how about some old paving slabs with herbs in between? Or even a small pond. ( Idon't mean sit in the pond - although it would be tempting this weather.)

[milkman]

Have you thought about acquiring a hand mower? they are not as pricey as you may think - I bought a Qualcast Panther 30 2 years ago for £35 in Homebase - a good investment.  No electric cable or petrol required, produces a nice cut and you have the option of variable cutting heights.  I use mine at home and on the grass paths edging my allotment plot.  I did have a petrol strimmer but stopped using it when OH managed to give a hedgehog a rather close shave and the thought of unintentionally strimming slow worms... :cry:

[John]

Getting onboard late, as usual
Garden areas on the plot are becoming more common, which is nice. I don't think you can beat grass and a push mower is less work than you might think.  
As for those who suggested astro turf - I want 500 lines from each of you tomorrow morning - 'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
tsk tsk

[GrannieAnnie]

We could say its weed cover though John!!!!! lol

[John]

Careful, I could make it a detention !

[GrannieAnnie]

'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'

Will 5 do?

[John]

OK, just this once

[GrannieAnnie]

You are soooo good to me!!!!