Less grass, lower water bills, still beautiful
Rock & Water-Wise Front Yards
Front yards and park strips taken off thirsty grass and redone in decorative rock, boulders and water-wise plants — clean curved borders, a smaller lawn where it's wanted, and drip lines to every plant.
The photos on this page come from several different yards of this kind across the Salt Lake Valley.
The situation
What the owners wanted.
These photos come from several homes, most of them established neighborhoods with older lawns. The owners were tired of the same things: a park strip that turns brown every August, sprinklers that water the sidewalk, and a water bill that keeps climbing.
Nobody wanted a yard that looked like a gravel parking lot. They wanted less work and less water, but still a yard that looks cared for.
What we used — and why
Every piece has a reason.
- 1
Grass removed and the ground re-graded
Old sod comes out completely and the ground is shaped so water runs away from the house. Skipping this step is why some rock yards end up lumpy and full of grass poking through.
- 2
Heavy weed barrier under the rock
A good barrier keeps weeds from coming up through the rock, so the yard stays clean without constant pulling or spraying.
- 3
Decorative rock in two or three colors
Mixing rock colors and sizes in curved bands — like a dry stream running through the yard — gives it movement and keeps it from looking flat and plain.
- 4
Boulders placed in groups
A few well-placed boulders give the yard height and a natural look, and they are there for good. No watering, no trimming, no replacing.
- 5
Concrete curbing
Curbing holds a crisp line between rock and lawn or beds, so rock doesn't wander into the grass and the mower has a clean edge to follow.
- 6
Water-wise plants on drip irrigation
Plants that belong in Utah's climate, each watered at the root by a drip line instead of sprayed. Far less water is wasted to wind and evaporation, and the plants grow better for it.
Utah weather
Made for our water and our soil
The Salt Lake Valley is semi-arid. We get far less rain than most of the country, and most of what we do get falls as snow in the winter, not when a lawn needs it in July and August. Watering a thirsty lawn through a Utah summer is expensive — and park strips, surrounded by hot concrete and asphalt, are where that water is wasted most.
Much of the valley sits on heavy clay soil that drains slowly. Water-wise yards work here because the plants we choose are adapted to that soil and to our heat, and drip lines put water right at the roots early in the morning instead of spraying it into dry afternoon wind.
Utah water districts have run programs such as Flip Your Strip and landscape conversion rebates to help pay for this kind of work. Rules and amounts change, and many need approval before work begins, so check with us before you start.
Is this right for you?
A great fit for…
- Homeowners who want a lower water bill and less mowing.
- Anyone with a park strip that never stays green.
- Retirees and busy families who want a front yard that looks good with very little weekend work.
- People who want to take advantage of Utah water-saving rebates while they're available.
Good to know
The honest details.
Utah water districts have offered rebates for converting lawn to water-wise landscaping. Programs and amounts change, and many require approval before work starts — we'll point you to the current ones when we walk your yard.
Rock yards aren't zero maintenance. Expect an occasional weed and a leaf blow-off in the fall. But it's a fraction of the work of a lawn.
Every yard is different. We build these across Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, Draper, Bluffdale and the rest of the Salt Lake Valley, and the best way to know what yours needs — and what it will cost — is to have Jason walk it with you. Call 801-608-7207 for a free estimate.
Photos
The finished work.
Tap any photo to see it full size.
Free estimate
Let’s walk your yard together.
Call and tell us what you have in mind. Jason will come out, walk the property with you, and give you a written estimate — free, with no obligation.
Mon–Fri · 8:00–5:00 · Riverton, Utah · Licensed & insured