Fall is the ideal season to say goodbye to traditional turf and start transitioning toward a more resilient, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly lawn. With cooler temperatures and slowing grass growth, late fall creates the perfect conditions for smothering grass naturally, with no chemicals, no ripping up sod, and no digging required.
Right now, while the soil is still warm, everything happening beneath the surface works in your favour. As the grass dies, its roots slowly decompose over winter, feeding the soil and building organic matter for spring.
✅ Simple No-Dig Ways to Kill Grass
| Method | How It Works | Why It’s Beginner-Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard + mulch | Lay cardboard over grass and cover with leaves, soil, or woodchips | Smothers turf while letting soil microbes compost it |
| Blackout fabric / weed barrier | Blocks 100% of sunlight | Fast, clean, easy to remove in spring |
| Tarping (solarization) | Covers area tightly for the full winter | Strong kill even on tough turf |
These methods take advantage of winter dormancy, while your grass is sleeping, you’re quietly replacing it.
What Happens Over Winter
As the grass breaks down underneath the cover:
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The root systems decompose into organic matter
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Earthworms and soil microbes move in
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You build healthier soil without tilling
Come spring, you’ll have a soft, workable planting surface ready for a lawn alternative.
What to Do in Spring
Once the grass is fully dead:
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Remove the tarp/cardboard or leave the cardboard to continue breaking down.
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Loosen the soil lightly with a rake, no tilling needed.
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Top dress with a thin layer of compost (optional but helpful).
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Sow your lawn alternative seeds.
Great Lawn Alternatives You Can Plant in Spring
These are low-maintenance, eco-friendly replacements available at Ritchie’s:
| Lawn Alternative | Best For |
|---|---|
| Micro Clover | A lush, soft, low-mow “living lawn” |
| Easy Care Envirolawn | Minimal maintenance, drought-tolerant |
| White Dutch Clover | Pollinator-friendly, stays low and fills gaps |
| Bee Turf | Soft flowering lawn for bees and butterflies |
| Grub Resistant Blend | Helps recover lawns previously damaged |
| Chafer Beetle Resistant Blend | Tough alternative for pest-prone areas |
| Tall Fescue | Traditional look with better drought tolerance |
You can browse them here:
👉 http://woohoo.pack-center.com/search?page=1&q=cover+crops%2A&type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage%2Ccollection
Why Homeowners Are Making the Switch
People are choosing lawn alternatives because they:
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Need less watering
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Stay greener through summer
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Attract pollinators
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Recover faster from pests
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Require less mowing and fertilizer
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Are safer for kids and pets
And best of all, fall prep makes spring planting effortless.
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you're thinking about ditching turf for good, now is the perfect time to start. Smother the grass this fall… plant a better lawn in the spring.
Visit or contact your nearest Ritchie’s for help choosing the right lawn alternative for your yard layout, sun exposure, and maintenance level.
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