‘We have no choice’

Grassless yards are trending as a way to embrace native plants while cutting costs and saving labor time. However, all-rock patios are not necessarily the best alternatives if you want to be low maintenance.

In a post on Reddit, a renter shared a photo of the owner’s shocking version of a low-maintenance backyard.

The yard is full of rocks, which is not ideal because the family has three young children and two dogs.

“This is not what we wanted, but we have no choice,” the renter wrote in the caption.

They asked themselves, “What’s the best way to create safe walking and playing areas for children and dogs? What products can we buy to cover parts of this?”

All-rock patios are not easy to play on because they heat up to dangerous levels on hot days and create tripping hazards for young children. They are not aesthetically pleasing, are prone to weeds, and do nothing to benefit the natural environment.

However, there is a way to make rocks stand out in a yard, such as incorporating them alongside native plants to enhance the natural beauty while minimizing water use.

To resolve this issue, the renter may consider learning about local property and landscaping laws and contacting the landlord to find a compromise. Our HOA guide offers advice for people who want to work with their homeowners association or homeowners to change the rules and create environmentally friendly, mutually acceptable changes in their backyards.

You can find lots of inspiration on Reddit for using rocks strategically and designing a sustainable space that supports pollinators, children, and pets.

Followers on the r/landscaping subreddit recommended that the family find another place to live because of the yard and commented on how bad the weeds are likely to get between those rocks.

“Such a big change should allow the contract to be terminated,” wrote one user. “They made the yard unusable.”

Another said: “My dog ​​would go crazy if this was my backyard.”

“Remove a lot of the rocks and plant clover,” someone else suggested. “It’s cheap, easy to grow and great for walking and playing.”

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