If you want a yard that demands less time, money and water, consider low maintenance grasses in lieu of the traditional lawn here in the Village of Oxford MI.
Turf grass covers nearly 47 million acres in the U.S., that's not very green. The average household dumps 60 gallons of water per day on conventional lawns. Toxic lawn herbicides and pesticides run 
off into lakes and streams. Gas powered mowers spew pollution and then there's the watering, weeding, seeding, sodding, thatching and mulching commitment.
If you're looking for an alternative, consider replacing some or all of your high maintenance turf with innovative grasses that require little or no water or mowing once established or ground covers that form walkable "carpets."
Low maintenance turf grasses
If you need grass for kids or pets, consider new "miracle" cultivars or blends. Uc Verde Buffalo Grass, for example, delivers lush, silky blades that require little or no water once established, rarely needs mowing and needs no fertilizer or pesticides.
"No Mow Lawn Mix" is great for open, sunny swaths where native prairie grasses once grew, such as the cooler, medium rainfall areas of the upper midwest, northeast and pacific northwest. And hardy Eco Lawn thrives even in difficult spots, such as under spreading trees or in clay soils.
Sedge
One of the most exciting breakthroughs in turf concepts in recent years has been the development of sedge lawns. Sedges look a lot like conventional turf but have more in common with native grasses that existed in America before sod busting development and agriculture.
Ornamental grasses
This term covers both grasses and grass like plants, such as sedges. We're talking low water, native grasses. Low to medium height species can be used en masse as meadows, tall ones function as vertical elements in a landscape.
Synthetic grass
Synthetic grass is starting to get some respect, thanks in part to increasingly urgent water restrictions in parts of the country and because new versions are so amazingly lifelike. Synthetic turf requires zero water or mowing, which does wonders for your carbon footprint.
On the downside, lawns made of petrochemical plastics can feel stifling in hot weather and offer no habitat for birds or insects. Basic installation averages $6.50 per square foot versus about $3.80 a square foot for the real thing.
references: houselogic, laura fisher kaiser, donsrealty
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