It's not news to anyone living west of the Mississippi - we're in the midst of a historic drought throughout most of the western United States.

Many homeowners are making the shift to drought resistant lawns and even no lawns. All of which means re-landscaping and  yard waste removal.

Help! My Lawn is Burning!

According to one landscaping firm,

"If you live in a house in almost any kind of residential neighborhood it’s quite likely you have a front yard. And, if you are like most homeowners or renters, you prefer to have a green and thriving lawn, perhaps with a bit of landscaping.

However, if you are like most people with lawns, you also know that watering that lawn and landscaping can be costly and not very efficient in terms of water conservation." 

And, for many homeowners in the western half of the country, it's now no longer an issue of watering less, but one of being able to water at all.

How bad is it?

As a recent story from CNN noted,

"Vast swaths of the West remain in a historic and unrelenting drought, the worst in the region in at least 20 years. The most severe conditions are centered in the Southwest in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. But areas of extreme and exceptional drought extend north as well into Oregon and Washington..."

Water shortages and mandatory water conservation measures are forcing many homeowners and other property owners to re-think their concepts of a "front lawn." Many of these owners now have to settle for lawns covered with dead grass or find a drought resistant lawn alternative. 

So, if you're watching your once-green lawn turn brown from the heat and lack of water, what are your options?

Three Great Drought Resistant Lawn Alternatives

Drought-resistant or drought-tolerant?

We hear these the two terms used interchangeably, especially now,  but they are not quite the same thing. Drought-resistant plants can survive for longer periods of time without water. Drought-tolerant plants, on the other hand, still need a minimal amount of water or rainfall to thrive.

In addition to xeriscaping, other terms for drought-resistant (and drought-tolerant) landscaping include water-smart, dry garden or dry landscaping, water conservation, and desert landscaping.

Here are three affordable options to simply having a dead lawn of dry grass fronting your home:

No More Lawn Grass

If you haven’t done so already,  can save you tons of money and time by replacing the turf grass in your yard. Then replace it with one of these drought-tolerant alternatives:

Decomposed granite: This gravely granite rock byproduct binds together when compacted. It makes a great choice for areas that don’t need paving such as driveways, pet areas, patios, or entire yards. And it doesn’t create dust when walked on.

Pea gravel: This material makes for an easy, quick, and economical decorative grass alternative that comes in a variety of colors or a mix of earth tones. The lower-cost versions tend to have sharper edges, so avoid those in areas where kids and pets will play.

Ornamental grasses: Ornamental grasses are drought-resistant and incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in nearly every type of soil with little to no fertilizers. They’re also naturally disease- and pest-resistant, so you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides.

Artificial grass: For those who still crave the look of lush, green grass, these products can do the job and they've come a long way in recent years. Today there are many versions of artificial grass that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. And, best of all, they don't need water or fertilizer - and they're low maintenance.

Hardscape Options

Hardscaping includes just about everything in or around a lawn that's not organic, such as driveways, retaining walls, paved areas, stone walkways and water features.  Well-designed and well-placed hardscape features not only add great curb appeal, they can transform a property.

Rocks, boulders, and other hardscape materials for example, are perfect for creating elevation changes that add visual appeal and project harmony. Adding elements such as statuary, birdbaths, and rock gardens also make for good focal points around the yard.

Drought-Resistant Trees and Plants

No residential landscape should depend on pea gravel or pavers alone. A drought resistant landscape that’s doesn’t mean you must eliminate trees. Trees not only add structure to your yard, but they also provide shade and oxygen. And the leaves, bark, and blooms can add color and texture, an essential element of a good landscape design.

If you've opted for a gravel groundcover or a hardscape design, drought resistant plants such as smaller perennials, mid-size shrubs, and tall trees set throughout can add a welcome organic feel to your yard.

Removing with the Yard Waste After the Makeover

An outdoor makeover can be fun, actually, despite the drought. However, cleaning up afterwards really isn't all that fun.

Not only that, depending on the nature of your yard waste and debris, you might have piles of old concrete rubble or broken paver stones, along with dead grass and plants. That's really not a job that your average homeowner is equipped to deal with.

Fortunately, there is an affordable and reliable option.

Outdoor landscaping projects invariable produce waste. And large piles of it oftentimes, which is why Junk King specializes in yard waste removal and bulk trash removal. 

No one wants to spend more time after they've finished their new outdoor space cleaning up piles of debris, rubble, trash and other waste. And they don't have to because Junk King is ready to come in and clear all that mess up for you. And all you need do is simply point and then enjoy your new outdoor space additions. 

Need Yard Waste Removal? Call on Junk King!

Calling Junk King to come and remove your landscaping and other yard debris is your best move since there’s really no easy way to do it yourself.

In addition, Junk King will provide you with efficient, safe, and eco-friendly yard waste removal so you don’t need to worry about picking up or hauling away all that material yourself. Junk King provides you with a team of professional junk haulers who know how to remove rubble, debris, and organic yard waste materials from your property without damaging anything on the way out.

There are several reasons you'll love your yard waste removal experience with Junk King:

• Easy scheduling and on-time arrivals.
• We call about 15 to 30 minutes before we show up.
• Our uniformed crews are trained and insured professionals.
• We are in-and-out with fast and thorough service.
• We provide straightforward estimates with no hidden fees.

In addition, if you need to get rid of your old fencing, sheds, or deck materials - or any other bulk trash items, we can take those too! 

So, ready to get started with your yard waste removal?

You can book an appointment online or call us today at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).