How Can You Create a Lawn That Combines Drought-Tolerant Plants, a Vegetable Garden, and a Space for Guests?
You can have your cake and eat it too! Developing eco-friendly landscapes and interior designs has shown me that you can create a beautiful, functional space that is visually appealing, practical, and environmentally conscious. In this case, you can design a lawn where you can relax outdoors, grow a garden, and enjoy a stunning view.

Let’s Start with Plants: Go Native
Replace water-thirsty, non-native grass with drought-tolerant or native species. These plants provide numerous benefits: they attract birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, making your garden feel like a sanctuary.

Creating an area of beautiful native plants around or in front of your edible garden ties the space together and enhances the overall aesthetic. If your vegetable garden is planted directly in the ground, a bordering area of non-edible plants can help reduce wind and water erosion of the topsoil. Additionally, the organic matter from falling leaves will enrich the soil as it decomposes.

Add Eco-Friendly Seating to Enjoy Your Space
When creating a seating area, continuing the eco-friendly trend is simple if you know what to look for:

Reclaimed wood furniture: Consider outdoor furniture made from reclaimed wood to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Pre-loved furniture: Look online for secondhand furniture that matches your style. Buying pre-loved items saves energy, water, and raw materials required to produce new furniture.
Eco-friendly materials: Look for items made from sustainable or recycled materials, like cushions with recycled filling or table centerpieces made from recycled glass.
Start with an Eco Multi-Use Lawn Plan
When you’re ready to create your dream eco-friendly yard, follow this step-by-step plan:

Assess your space: Note which areas receive the most sunlight, rainfall, and have the best views. Sketch out the space with basic measurements and directional indicators (north, south, east, west).
Set priorities: Decide how much of the space you want to dedicate to edible plants—10%, 20%, or more? Think about how often you plan to entertain outdoors and whether your current setup accommodates that. Also, consider how important it is to attract native wildlife and pollinators like birds and butterflies.
Map zones: Identify the areas for your garden, plants, landscaping materials, and seating. Add these zones to your sketch with an idea of where to place each feature in relation to the others.
Don’t Forget the Seating
Incorporate seating with a foundation in mind:

Ground options: If there isn’t an obvious spot for furniture, replace water-wasting grass with a gravel or river rock base for your seating area. Use plants or edging to keep the rocks in place.
Existing concrete pads: If you already have a concrete pad, dress it up with an outdoor rug made from recycled materials, such as those crafted from plastic bottles. These rugs are easy to clean and environmentally friendly.
Consistent style: Use matching seat cushions that can be easily removed and washed to keep your seating area looking fresh and inviting.
Consider the Elements
Shade: Add a table umbrella or shade sail to make your seating area comfortable during sunny days.
Pathways: Use pavers, stepping stones, or other textured pathways to connect your seating area to your edible garden. This will tie the spaces together and add a touch of design and functionality.
Don’t Forget the Plants: Think Vertical
Make the most of your space by incorporating vertical gardening:

Native species: Start with a few mature, easy-to-establish native plant species. Group them in odd numbers for a natural, organic look rather than planting in rows.
Vertical gardening: Use walls and fences to add greenery to your space. Wall-mounted planters are great for small yards or concrete areas. Choose trailing plants or vines to create a lush, cascading effect.
Clean and refresh: Pressure wash walls and fences to make them look clean before adding planters.
Declutter Your Yard
Use spring as an opportunity to declutter your outdoor space. Remove any unused items that have been left outside as “temporary storage.” Donate or recycle anything you no longer need.

Don’t Forget to Enjoy Your Space
The more time you spend in your eco-friendly, multi-use yard, the more creative ideas will come to you. Enjoy the beauty and functionality of your sustainable outdoor oasis!