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When creating a new look for your home, it is important to get your yard right. This can make a big difference to the property's curb appeal and can change the experience of living there. But should you use grass to create a traditional lawn, or should you use gravel for a more contemporary look? Which is likely to create the most favorable visual effect? Which is most practical?
Largely, this depends on where you live. In Arizona's desert climate, a lawn can require a lot of irrigation to keep it looking good. However, you can mitigate this to an extent by choosing the right type of grass.
Whether you decide on grass or gravel, you will have to take the lead to keep your yard looking great. Many people mistakenly think that gravel does not require upkeep. That is not true. Although larger types of gravel will stay put longer than the small pieces that are readily caught up and lost, you will still have to add to your gravel to keep it looking great. There is also the tiresome job of removing gravel from spots that it was not intended to end up.
Many people think of gravel as something that will put an end to weeding, but this is only partially accurate. Weeds in gravel can actually be much more trouble because you can not keep them down with a mower - you will have to spray weed-killer or pull them out by hand. To reduce the problem, disperse your gravel on top of a sheet of weed cloth. Fabric performs better than plastic sheeting as it will allow for better drainage. If you do have to take care of a weed, keep applying weed killer to that spot or place a thicker layer of stone over it to prevent more from breaking through.
Whether you choose gravel or grass is contingent on how you want to use your yard. Pets generally prefer grass. And children who fall on gravel can hurt themselves, so it is not a good choice for play areas. Likewise, if you have a space with regular foot traffic, gravel will stand up to the wear and tear much better than grass.
Whatever you choose to use, it is going to make a big difference to the overall look of your home, so think carefully.
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