We are seasonal, in TV mid-Sept. to mid-May. We had the grass in front professionally taken out and have a mix of river rock (yellowish color) and pine bark chunks, edged with larger stone where it meets driveway or roadway, to keep it from washing out during heavy rain.
We have a dog, and also think grass looks (and is) cooler in the back view from our lanai, and just prettier. We had some grass taken out by landscapers and replaced with matting and pine bark chunks (one big corner and along the lanai). We removed a curved area ourselves along the wall/fence, so that there are plantings (shrubs and perennials mostly) completely ringing the yard, curved but probably averaging about 4 feet in width. Took us several days - almost backbreaking.
We put the sod out in yard waste bags but it wasn't picked up - when I called, was told they don't take sod (they can tell because it is so heavy), was actually told to just dump it over a fence out in the country somewhere.
When gone in summer, we have yard people mow the back about once a month, and edge and spray for weeds and trim some stuff a couple of times. Neighbors let us know when it needs it. Since we use the same landscape service as several other neighbors, it's not expensive. We use a manual reel-type mower when we're there, doesn't need mowing in the cooler months at all.
I have seen a couple of concrete and rock back yards that I like, but all of these were professionally done and not inexpensive. Only large areas of concrete I like are the stained/painted ones, or areas done in some type of pavers. Plain old concrete and plain old rock looks like a desert, at least IMO.
Like others say, weeds and zoysia roots/grass still come thru and must be both sprayed and pulled. I noticed that 3-5 years ago, TV was building some villa neighborhoods with no grass, haven't seen that in new builds lately, although I haven't seen them all.
I'm going to try the bread knife approach around the fence lines that I think Uptown Girl mentioned. I use one of those garden seats on wheels and go out early in the am to do weeding in hot weather. At least there are few mosquitos in TV.
|