How to make your lawn less needy and more helpful
Biodiverse alternatives to grass lawns
Clover
Clover can be a pollinator-friendly option close to the classic green lawn look. Apart from producing flowers early in the spring when the animals need them the most, clover growth is minimal and you don’t need to mow it.
There are varieties of clover developed specifically for them to be planted as lawns — they are called microclover. They withstand drought much better than grass and their darker color will really show to your neighbor that the “grass” is greener on your pollinator-friendly side.
Creeping thyme
If you’re not afraid of a splash of color from June till August, you can go for a creeping thyme lawn. Creeping thyme can bloom in different colors depending on the variety, but most of them will give your lawn a pinkish look.
Creping thyme can withstand periods of drought, and grows best in full sunlight. The plant is pollinator-friendly, and humans can use it in the kitchen.