A Fun Lawn Alternative
A beautiful, lush, green lawn has been the standard of perfection in California landscapes in times past. But, today’s thoughtful consumer is considering that it might be “greener” on the other side of the fence. Looking for a lawn alternative to grass is increasingly popular.
According to California Drought Preparedness, lawn watering accounts for more than half the water used by most California households. And lawns on average absorb more toxic chemicals than any other garden feature.
We know that lawns aren’t great for the environment, but in California we live in our gardens and we need a place to play. How about building a Bocce Ball court? Let’s consider this fun lawn alternative.
Lawn Alternative, Bocce Ball Court
Bocce Ball in History
Lawn Alternative, Bocce Ball Court
Bocce Ball is one of the world’s oldest games. It was played by the Egyptians as early as 5000 BC. It made its way to ancient Greece and eventually Rome, where the rules of the game as we know it today were codified. The game of Bocce became a favorite sport with rulers and statesmen and was enjoyed by Roman Emperors Augustus and Julius Cesar, Astronomer Galileo as well as Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake.
How to Build a Bocce Ball Court
Though international regulation courts are 91 feet long by 13 feet wide, you can build a court to fit almost any yard. First, level the area and build a frame (you can use landscape ties). Fill the area with six inches of crushed stone to ensure proper drainage. Finally, apply a final surface of powdered oyster shell. One tip before you install the oyster shell: Line the court surface with chicken wire and filter fabric. You don't want gophers interfering with your Bocce game!
Lawn Alternative, Bocce Ball Court
There are various resources available if you decide to do the project yourself. But it is probably better (and faster) to hire a licensed contractor. As a lawn alternative, it transitions well into a garden design that still keeps one active and outside. The result is a fantastic focal point in an outdoor space.
The Facts About Lawns
The average 5,000 square foot lawn consumes about 312,000 gallons of water every year at a cost of about $1664.00. Lawn alternatives are popular not just for the environment but for your wallet, too. By removing lawn and constructing a Bocce Ball Court (at a cost of about $4500.00) your Bocce Ball Court pays for itself in a little less than three years!
Lawn Alternative, Bocce Ball Court
So, no matter how to figure it, when you look over your fence at the neighbor’s lawn-free backyard Bocce Ball Court, life is a little “greener” on the other side.