The Economic Times

A Florida homeowner swapped lawn grass for old soaked cardboard, mulch and native plants without digging up the lawn; the result was a low-maintenance front yard ecosystem where pollinators, birds, edible plants and people could coexist

A Florida homeowner transformed a conventional grass-covered front yard without removing the existing lawn. The project used soaked cardboard, organic material and thick mulch to suppress the grass, followed by stone pathways and plants selected for pollinators, birds and household use. The approach, known as sheet mulching, can gradually add organic matter while reducing the need for digging and chemical weed control. Research from the University of Florida also shows that carefully designed landscapes with less turf and efficient irrigation can reduce water use.