What to do with my patch of dirt (aka yard)? (sale, house)

[fierce_flawless]

I really need suggestions here.

I have a front yard we also call the "cat box", because it's dry and nothing but dirt and the cat's use it like a sandbox... if ya know what I mean.

It used to have something grass-like when we bought the house last year but I neglected it and now it's just dirt. There are two small trees (mountain laurels) that make it shady in parts throughout the day.

I should tell you I do NOT want grass. The front yard is small, I hate to mow, and I don't want to have to worry about grass dying during dry periods. So my grand plan was to use a groundcover, and I'd picked Asiatic Jasmine (I started a thread about it in fact)..

But now I'm broke and in order to buy the 4" Jasmine plants, even on sale at $.88 a piece, I'd need way too many for what I can afford right now to make a difference in beginning to cover the surface.

As you can see from the pics (camera phone, sorry about the quality) I do have grass and clover and weeds growing in the sunnier parts of the yard.

So here's my new idea: I was thinking of trying to grow SOMETHING there that I can start from seed. Not grass! I don't even care if it's a little tall as long as it's pretty... no one ever walks over there anyway except for me when i tend to my little herb garden on that side. So it could be a groundcover, or flowers, or???

I have no idea what I can start easily from seed and without buying a bunch of soil or compost or whatever ($$$). The soil there is typical, clay like, kinda rocky. I have an esperanza in the corner and some agave along the fence line. What could I plant by seed that would fill in the yard and give it some color and attractiveness yet not get crazy tall, forcing me to mow... oh and that would also be relatively drought tolerant?

I saw lovely pics of creeping thyme and creeping phlox but I have no idea if those plants grow here, or if they'll deal well in both full sun and part shade.

Any ideas for the holy grail of plants for this dirt patch?

TIA!

Here are pics:

[sinsativ]

lots of xeriscape plants very cheap at the nurseries. also I've seen at Lowes, every Monday morning, they throw out what didnt sell over the weekend, at least the one on 151 & 410, tons of plants go to the dumpster every Monday morn. I pick up a friend for carpool every day, and monday morn, dumpster is full.

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by sinsativ

lots of xeriscape plants very cheap at the nurseries. also I've seen at Lowes, every Monday morning, they throw out what didnt sell over the weekend, at least the one on 151 & 410, tons of plants go to the dumpster every Monday morn. I pick up a friend for carpool every day, and monday morn, dumpster is full.

No way, really!?

So would you think it would look crazy to just have a wild assortment of plants in place of a "yard" with grass and all?

[sinsativ]

crazier than dirt?

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by sinsativ

crazier than dirt?

LOL well, the dirt isn't really obvious unless you're close up. But you have a point! And anything that prevents me having to "scoop" cat poop from the front yard is an improvement! My yard looks bad right now, with this and the fact that someone stole my extension cord I use for the mower/weed eater.

[sinsativ]

and the good thing is, a lot of those plants will take root and live. I've picked up some and taken them back home, I live about two miles from there. They grow real well. water and little care. just not retail quality. I've seen other people out there lately so not sure if they dont get picked over too much any more, but cant beat the price.

[1StarRanch]

I had a neighbor who put lots of big rocks and a side walk, this helped in his water bill and maintenance of his yard.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by 1StarRanch

I had a neighbor who put lots of big rocks and a side walk, this helped in his water bill and maintenance of his yard.

I was going to suggest mulch as a temporary measure. When you're ready to plant plants in a year or two, it'll be easier to remove mulch than rocks.

[1StarRanch]

Your talking just plain mulch that they use for surrounding trees? I've not seen that done. I'm wondering how that would look. Also, what about the problem of termites because of all the wood chips in the mulch?

[Bo]

Originally Posted by 1StarRanch

Your talking just plain mulch that they use for surrounding trees? I've not seen that done. I'm wondering how that would look. Also, what about the problem of termites because of all the wood chips in the mulch?

Yep, inexpensive wood mulch can work fine as a temporary ground cover. Think of playgrounds that have wood mulch under the playground equipment as a cushion. Consider it a form of xeriscaping.

As long as it's not against the house, it shouldn't lead to a termite problem. The area in the picture didn't appear to be next to the house.