[raisedbed]

Hi All,

The subject of replacing the front lawn has come up again this year, as it does every year, and I am now starting to look for ideas.

Our front lawn lies dead north ( have an absolutely fab south facing rear garden (great for bringing on all the seedlings etc)) which means it spends most of its life in the shade.  Infact it spends so much time in the shade that the moss has now gained the advantage over the grass and will soon win the battle for control of the front lawn.

Being both grass and moss it looks quite messy.  I loathe to kill the moss off as it will only return next year which means I have to replace it.

Have looked at both moss and pearlwort as alternatives.  Moss is fine as it loves the damp but the pearlwort not so. 

Is there an alternative to moss?

Thanks

raisedbed

[grinling]

My back garden was rock hard in summer and a bog in winter and is about 6x5m, so small!! As I have 2 children we astroturfed it.  No grass cutting, easy to walk on, lush and green all year round. Might not be to everyone's taste, but life is a lot easier now.

[Trillium]

Here's a partial list of groundcovers which could be mixed to fill in that area and look attractive.

http://search.conduit.com/ResultsExt.aspx?ctid=CT2269050&SearchSource=3&q=groundcovers+for+shade

Lungwort isn't on the list but it's an excellent plant with early and late flowers for the bees. Even a few berry bushes would be useful in the mix.

[raisedbed]

Trillium - thanks for the link.

Grinling - as tempting as astro turf is I dont think I will be able to get that past SWMBO.  I am all for it - no mowing, no weeding, no feeding = more time down the allotment! or more hours to spend watching West Ham fight for survival again!

Thanks

reisedbed

[Rangerkris]

Decking works well. Turn's green after a while as well hahahhaha