Lawn and Sod
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| Advice: Removing a Lawn | Advice: Lawn Installation & Maintenance |
Removing a Lawn
Lawn replacement ideas
July 2013
We just filled an old, leaky pool so now we have a lovely, level patch of dirt. We had planned on putting sod down but I recently read an article about isotoma (Blue Star Creeper) as a no-mow lawn replacement option. I'm curious if anyone has experience using it either as a lawn replacement or in an area around pavers (where it gets a good amount of foot traffic). We have two active kids so it would get a good amount of running, jumping, bike riding, etc. Any suggestions for places to buy it or contractors to install it? Or other suggestions for lawn replacement (not interested in fake sod). Thanks!
This is a question I've dealt with many times over my 30+ years as a landscaper and the short answer is that there is no such thing as a good substitute for lawn for the kind of use that you have in mind. There are groundcovers that can make nice visual substitutes for a lawn and maybe handle a little light traffic, but none of them can handle kids' play. I'd suggest going back to your idea of sod- choose a tough dwarf tall fescue turf and let it root in for at least a month before letting your kids loose on it. Don't use the newer ''no mow'' fescue as it is very lumpy and not good for play.
As far as a groundcover to use between pavers, the toughest and best in my experience is Wooly Thyme, which requires sun, occasional water, and isn't fussy about soil. Another tough GC that works well between stones is Labrador Violet, which can take some shade; it is, however, an aggressive spreader. By contrast, Isotoma needs very good soil and very regular water to look decent, and I don't recommend it. Cecelia
Getting rid of lawn - landscaping ideas?
April 2013
I am thinking about getting rid of our lawn and replacing it with some sort of low maintenance drought resistant garden. I started to look for landscaping ideas online and I havent found the right fit for our yard yet. We can't afford to hire someone to design the yard but I am wondering where other BPNer's have found inspiration and ideas for their gardens? Where did you start? Any amazing sites with examples of the transformations? Pitfalls to avoid? Are there landscaping students out there who want to get experience with a lawn conversion project? If so, where can I find them. -ready to lose the lawn
I've gotten great inspiration, ideas and tips on garden tours. 2 are coming up soon. http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/ http://www.bayfriendlycoalition.org/GardenTour.shtml Both are well worth your while. Tina
A few years ago, EBMUD put out a book called 'Plants and Landscapes for Summer- Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region.' The book is an amazing resource for this region. The book is still available on Amazon (and no doubt other places as well) http://www.amazon.com/Plants-Landscapes-Summer-Dry-Climates-Francisco/dp/0975323113 Carrie
We used the landscaping design service through Navelets in Pleasant Hill. Essentially you purchase a $150 gift card (which you will end up spending on plants) then submit a drawing of the space and write about what you like or dislike, etc. A few weeks later we met with our designer (who really knew her stuff) who went over the plans, showed us the plants in stock, advised us on special orders, what stages to do when, etc. Look them up online for more detailed information. We are taking our lot in stages and are so far truly pleased with the results. Finally getting some curb appeal
Simple. Go on the 'Bringing Back the Natives' garden tour on Sunday, May 5. It's free. Take your camera. You can simply copy what others have done and get all the 'how-to' info right from the people who did it. It is very inspiring. Register now and get the guide to plan which gardens to visit. You might even be able to ask the organizer which gardens she recommends that you see for your particular site. This tour is a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to landscape in the east bay. I never miss this tour.
On Sunday, April 14, the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is hosting a 'Meet the Do-It-Yourselfers' tour of three gardens in Richmond, Albany, and Berkeley where homeowners removed their lawns and planted native plant gardens. Here is a brief description:
'On this tour of three gardens you'll hear about the lessons learned by do-it-your-selfers. Go ahead, ask about: how lawns were removed and plants chosen; which reference books were most useful; irrigation; the costs of materials, and where they were bought; how these homeowners proceeded with the design and installation; garden maintenance; and about the ups and downs of installing a native garden on your own.' The cost is $30 per person. Details are here (look under Select Tour #3): http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/ Kathy
You might want to check out www.loseyourlawn.org - it's got loads of resources including, free, how-to talks with Bay-Friendly designers, model designs, how- to slide shows and more. These tools are meant for the DIY gardener and focused on converting your lawn sustainably into a garden you can use. Robin
How do I get rid of my lawn?
Nov 2010
How do I get rid of my lawn that is mostly weeds in a nontoxic way?I'm in a rental, so I'd like it make this as economical as possible - but I really want to enoy my backyard and just can't! It's all foxtails and brown weeds for most of the year. Kelly
Six years ago I rented a rototiller from Hertz in Berkeley and spent a very long, tiring day going back and forth across my lawn to dig it up. My neighbors all thought I was nuts, but it worked! I planted natives and neither the lawn nor the weeds (mostly!) has returned. BTW I'm an average sized, but incredibly stubborn, woman! Good luck.
There are several methods for dealing with that 'lawn' or weedy meadow, however you want to look at it. One method is to give it some summer water and cut it as if it were a lawn - weeds need far less water than turf, but when mowed can look pretty nice. A second option is to dig it out - cheap, but takes a lot of stamina and muscle. A third option is to tarp it until it dies (3-6 months). A fourth option that has become quite popular is to sheet mulch, which means covering the lawn with cardboard or newspaper and placing mulch on top. The lawn dies for lack of sun and air, and in time you have great soil to plant in. Heidi
Lawn alternative to traditional grass?
Feb 2010
We are very interested in possibly replacing our lawn with drought-resistant native plants-- preferably native grasses so that it can still be used as a ''lawn'' and not just be ornamental. We have started asking around and are finding that it is hard to find someone who can help. A workshop we attended focused on the type of landscaping that is purely ornamental-- attractive but not very kid- friendly for playing. Anyone do this successfully? Have an East Bay nursery or landscaper you would recommend? The grass is Always Greener
We used artificial lawn in our backyard to cover a large concrete spot and we never ever regretted it. It looks real, it is comfortable to sit and lay and play on. It can get pretty hot in the summer, though. The company we used is called synlawn (www.synlawn.com). Jules
California native grasses are naturally clumping. They are sometimes referred to as bunch grasses. They do not make a turf like our typical lawn grasses. You may want to consider something that isn't grass like thyme or clover. If you go to one of our great local nurseries, or the botanical garden at Tilden or at UC Berkeley, you could get some ideas of low-growing plants that aren't turf, but may still meet your needs. Alternatively, you can drastically reduce the size of your turf and plant the rest in perennials and vegetables and fruit trees, or you can go to water permiable pavers. anon.
Hi- I'm a garden designer, horticulturist, and landscape contractor with 30 years experience, and the truth is that there aren't any CA native grasses that can function as a fully usable lawn. Most are clumping grasses that are very lumpy and don't take well to mowing. The one exception to that is creeping red fescue which is fine textured, will thinly fill in, and can be mowed (or left unmowed), but it's not tough enough for heavy use. It does best in light shade with regular water (it will survive drought but will not be at its best) and can look quite nice when it's healthy.
You might want to check out Lara, who owns Bountiful Botanicals in Oakland. http://www.bountifulbotanicals.com/ We've hired her firm to do basic irrigation repair at our house, but I think they are mainly known for their design services. She installed a lawn at one of my neighbor's homes, that is drought-friendly and native. It definitely looks like the type of lawn that you could still play on...the only difference I see between it and a traditional lawn is that the grass is slightly clumpier...but it looks great. Amy
Lawn Installation & Maintenance
Drought-tolerant backyard ideas - kids & dogs
Sept 2014
Our very small yard is nothing more than dirt right now. There is irrigation, and we had been planning on getting it tilled and then seeding a drought tolerant grass sometime in the fall (and hope that it rains to get the seeds started). We do not want a water thirsty yard, but we need something soft for the dog and kids. Soft woodchips are out because the dog will eat them. Is there really a type of grass, that when established, will not require much, if any, water? If not, any ideas about what else we could do with the space? No hardscaping, no woodchips or mulch. Another soft, drought tolerant groundcover might be okay. Thanks for your ideas. anon
Artificial grass is awesome. I was a doubter, too, but we LOVE the small patch we installed in our backyard. Zero maintenance and super great for our 3 year It dries quickly so we can be outside right after the rain and not get wet. It was expensive to install but has zero cost after installation - unlike a lawn that requires water and your time to maintain. With the drought it turns out it was very smart to do this - we'd probably be ripped out a real lawn now .... Artificial grass is lovely!
Here is a grass you might want to try. It needs sun to get started, so it is a little late to plant it now. http://ucverdebuffalograss.com/about/ I really don't know anything about it, myself. Anon
There's no such thing as drought resistant grass, it's all a marketing term to get you to pay for a more expensive bag of seeds. Last fall my lawn was like yours and thought the rains would water it so I would have to until the spring. The rains carried the seeds away, caused them to mold/rot and the dirt became uneven. The seeds which sprouted, died when the weather turned cold. Now I have to do it all over again. ANON
A couple of years ago, we planted Eco-Lawn (a blend) in our small Albany backyard as part of a drought tolerant re-do. We did water it the first two years to help it get established, so it hasn't yet been through a dry summer, but I completely stopped watering it a couple of months ago and so far so good. We don't mow it, so it ends up being bent-over waves of grass, but you can choose to mow it (high). The website FAQS point out that NO lawn will withstand the effects of a dog running constant circles, but it withstands our ordinary walking and playing. If your area is sunny, it's worth a look. One thing I like is that it really helps keep weeds down because seeds don't sprout well in that kind of grass (not weed-free, but better).
It is available at Annie's Annuals, and around here, fall is the time to plant it. Read the web site info thoroughly, and if you have questions, email them; they responded promptly when I did. http://www.eco-lawn.com/ R.K.
Lawn Help Needed
April 2014
We ripped out the concrete patio 2 years ago and had lawn put in. We looked into artificial lawn but those still get really hot in the sun so that wasn't a viable option. We have young kids and wanted a more functional area for them to play. It's been a great but the lawn is now more brown with lots of dirt patches. Watering schedule is the same (off in the winter; water deeply, less often). Our dog doesn't go potty on the lawn. We've fertilized it a few times last year and it's not any better. We've seen lawn seeds in the nursery. Do those really work? Or do we need to pay for lawn service? We have been managing our own yardwork since the installation. Thanks for any advice & tips! save the lawn
Lawn seed does work. Just block off the area from kids and dogs so it has a chance to grow back. You should do it during the rainy season.
Recommendations for lawn install
Feb 2012
Hi -- I'm looking for recommendations for someone to put in a lawn in our very small Albany backyard. We don't want a full landscape design or a big garden installation. I've looked at the archives, but there aren't really any recent recommendations for someone to do a small lawn project like this. We're looking for someone reliable and easy to work with who can give us a good estimate and stick to it. If you've done a project like this and have a recommendation, please pass it on. We may also install drip irrigation in some areas in the yard, so if the person helped you with irrigation, that would be great to know. Thanks! Want a patch of grass
I use 3 tiers of gardeners for my large property, and my mid-tier guy is your man. Call Santiago Samayoa at (510) 860-9251. He has done a lot of work for me, clearing, maintenance, weeding, pruning and has installed and repaired my irrigation on my large 1/2 acre property and installed small patches of sod (lawn) in areas of repair. He is super reasonably priced, comes when he says, does what he says, and wants to please very much so if anything isn't right he will fix it. He can easily install a lawn for you, and I highly recommend you have him put in irrigation at the same time. it is much more disruptive and troublesome and also more expensive to retrofit it. Lawns are sensitive and need regular watering and in the future if you go away you will be so happy you have the irrigation. Santiago also does regular maintenance if you want regular mowing. I also use another regular mower who has been with me for years and is reliable and reasonable in price: Enrique Sanchez (510) 812-4353. Kay
I used Pat Hannan of YourGreenSpaces.com and found him and his team to be very competent and substantially less expensive than the others who bid on this job. It was a small lawn, like yours, and he was knowledgeable about grass types, irrigation, he put in sprinklers and a drain, and despite my laziness, it's looking great. He has also put in lawns for schools and offices that are VAST. He is extremely responsive and a very nice guy, easy to work with. His other specialty is hardscapes and building fences/decks - you can see samples on his website. Pat has become my go-to guy for everything related to the garden and I have recommended him to many people! His cell: 925-435-2801. Sarah
Where can I buy turf for my back yard?
Nov 2008
Can anyone suggest a good place to buy turf for my back yard, its about 1,000SF. mathew
Many years ago, I got dwarf fescue seed from Flowerland Nursery for my front lawn in Albany. Then, several years ago, I got sod from them (same grass as the seed I think) for a lawn in Berkeley. The dwarf fescue grows slowly, so doing it from seed takes patience. One of the advantages of dwarf fescue is that, once established, one doesn't have to mow as often! I have been very happy with their assistance and products. Flowerland Nursery at 1330 Solano Av in Albany (510-526-3550). Brenda
Seed or Sod?
April 2007
We are trying to decide whether to seed our 600 sq ft back yard or use sod. It gets a fair amount of direct sunlight over the course of the day. We would optimally like something that doesnmt consume too much water and can handle the impact of kids playing. Any recommendations? Thanks!
I'd go with a sod for a more instant effect. Typically, fine leaf fescues (Festuca rubra, Festuca longifolia, or Festuca commutata) are your best bet in the Berkeley/Oakland area. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a coarser leaved, but tougher turf grass that can take more abuse. ray
Would you consider something like a red fescue or a California fescue for a ''meadow'' like appearance? It grows tall but only needs mowing about 4x a year and consumes far less water and can take foot traffic (am not sure how much).
Importantly, Calif. or red fescue, are one of many California Native plants you can choose from, which means they help protect and feed and attract hummmingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial critters. Do a google for lawn alternatives. See the California Native Plant Society website. I am doing a lawn conversion and replacing with Callifornia natives. Signed, No mo' mowing anymo'
Use sod, not seed! It's the soil preparation that is key to a lawn's success- same amount of work and materials there. Sod does cost more than seed, but it will help to smother out some weed seeds- when you encourage new grass seeds to grow and prosper, you are also encouraging every weed seed in the neighborhood to grow and prosper! If you take proper care of it with regular mowing (at the right height) and fertilizing and a realistic amount of water, sod will make a stronger and healthier lawn in the long run. No lawn is truly ''drought resistant'', but if you get it established so that it develops deep roots, the fescue hybrids need the least amount of water. if you have existing perennial weeds, like either bulbous or creeping oxalis, blackberries, and/or Bermuda grass (the WORST!) I strongly suggest that you use Round-up on them as many times as it takes to deplete the root and seed supply. Sod cannot smother out perennial weeds, and you will regret it if you don't take care of them beforehand- it's worth waiting to have a lawn rather than investing time and money in something that becomes a weed patch. Round-up does not stay active as a toxin in the soil, and it will not inhibit the growth of the new lawn or present a danger to people and animals. Also, don't use the lawn for at least 4 weeks after laying the sod- again, it's worth waiting. If you allow it enough time to really develop a good root system it will hold up much better to heavy use. Finally- DO NOT skimp on soil preparation- the more thoroughly you do it, the more successful the lawn will be. Cecelia
Last spring we seeded the ''lawn'' area (approx 20'x15') of our yard with Festuca rubra (red fescue). It's a native grass that can take foot traffic and doesn't get that tall. Mowing & watering is optional, and just depend on your tolerance for a ''messy'' lawn. We watered occassionally last summer, mostly because I wanted to be sure the grass really ''took''. We've never mowed the lawn - the areas that get more traffic are a little shorter and the other areas got to be about 4''-6'' tall. This spring the seed stalks have came up - they're about a foot tall. My 2-year old daughter and her friends love running through them & playing with the stalks.
We got our seeds from Larner Seeds in Bolinas (www.Larnerseeds.com) - it cost about $15 bucks to cover our patch of lawn. It took a few weeks for the grass to come in - at this time of year you'll probably have to be good about watering the lawn for a while. We didn't use a pre-emergent to reduce weeds, but did spend many afternoons last summer with the kids weeding out the grasses that we didn't want. The folks at Larner are really knowledgeable & can help you with all those details. - love my lumpy lawn
Mud clumps all over lawn
Oct 2006
Last winter, I noticed a lot of pieces of mud all over my lawn. Now that the weather is getting cool again its happening again. It looks like the earthworms are excavating and pushing dirt to the surface. I know earthworms are good, but I also like to have a lawn I can walk on without shoes. Am I over watering? Has anyone else had this problem? muddy lawn
The piles of mud you are seeing sound like molehills. Unfortunaley, there isn't much you can do EGW
Could be racoons! They just hit our back yard (last year it was our front yard). They dig for grubs under your sod. They take up little bits of your grass and expose the mud underneath. Sometimes they will take up whole sections of grass sod. If you think it's the worms lower your watering, but it could be those cute furry creatures. Anon
Where to buy sod
June 2005
Can anyone recommend a place to buy sod for DIY installation? I'm specifically interested in shade-tolerant sods (any thoughts or recommendations there?) like maybe a fescue/bluegrass mix (based on what I've read, but I'm open to other suggestions). Thanks in advance for your help! JP
To answer my own posting in case anyone else has the same question: I went ahead and ordered sod from The Sod Shop in Martinez (www.thesodshop.com) - they were very helpful, fast and well-priced. They recommended Mello Jade for shady yard. We installed it ourselves in an afternoon, no problems. It's been 2 weeks and the lawn looks great! JP
Remediating Soil & Lawn sprayed with weed killer
May 2005
Hi - we just moved into a new house in East Oakland and inherited a perfect lawn and a big plot of dirt out in back, not to mention two large containers of weed killer. We have a dog and an 8 month old and I am concerned that we are all being exposed to the weed killer that was undoubtedly put on the lawn and the backyard to keep the weeds away. Does anyone know how to deal with soil that has chemicals in it? And how does one safely clean up a lawn? Is it possible? Is there anyway to test for the toxicity in the soil? Also does anyone know a child friendly alternative to a lawn. I've heard of chamomile and clover, but do they create a cushion like a lawn would? thanks so much... Catherine
Depending upon when you moved into the house and when the previous owners last squirted/applied the weed and feed I would not worry. Most of it ends up in the soil(under the grass) or as run off after a few rains. We've had a really wet winter. The grass, after a few cuttings, will be perfectly safe for your dog and child. I would use the extra soil you have (in the plot) as a place to plant flowers. Dirt is expensive to haul off b/c of it's weight. So relax, enjoy the grass and carfully (and legally) dispose of the chemicals. We had the same situation when we moved into our home, and our previous home's owners had way more stuff than just weed and feed. enjoy the grass!
If the name of the chemical is on the containers, you can find out what its 'persistence' in the soil is. Some chemicals don't stick around in their original form for very long, others do. If the information on the label is not clear, you have several ways to get the info: Inquire at a nursery that sells chemicals (like East Bay in Berkeley). Or go online and google it. Or contact the company that manufactured the product and ask for the data on its toxicity and persistence.
The best way to hurry any toxicity out of soil is to leach it through with water. Water your lawn more frequently (and deeply!) than you normally would, but not so much that it is soggy all the time (bad for the lawn).
There is no lawn replacement that is cushiony like a lawn, and nothing that will hold up to frequent use! Take my word for it- I'm a landscaper and have dealt with this question for 25 years. There are groundcovers, like chamomile, that can take light traffic, but this means only occasional very light use, like between stepping stones. Otherwise, it will not stay healthy, not look nice or feel nice.
Clover is tough, but not cushiony, and it attracts bees- good for your garden plants, but not so good for bare feet. Cecelia
Need a cheap lawn!
August 2003
We've lived in a rental for over 5 years and plan to be here for longer until that mysterios time when we can finally buy a house (probably not anytime soon). When we moved in, we put all sorts of plants and flowering bushes in the dirt-filled backyard after hours of hard labor to clear it out. Now we have a toddler and we just want a lawn back there so he can play in a fenced-in area.
Our landlady probably won't pay for it - so we have to come up with the money ourselves which is going to be really,really tough. But, it's has to happen - we just hired someone to dig out most of the old stuff and it's all dirt (sigh, again) back there.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to install a lawn? I'm thinking roll-out sod/turf that will quickly root. But we have lots of weeds that grow back there, and as I said, very little money. I'm afraid if we just spread grass seed, we'll get an uneven, weed filled mess and I really am dreaming of a place that's fun to hang out with the kid.
Thanks for your advice and suggestions. If you know someone we could go to for this, that would be great too. jenny
Rolling out sod may seem like the better solution, but it really isn't. You have to weed, rototill and level the area in any case. Then, if you put in sod, you only have one kind of grass. Some areas of your lawn get more water, some get more traffic, some get more sun. The lawn will die in certain areas. You will forever be fighting to keep a perfect green carpt. A better and cheaper alternative is to seed it. Put in several different kinds of grass and dichondra. Then, when you find spots that aren't doing well, put in chamomile, lawn daisies, plaintain, and dandylions. This will create a beautiful butterfly meadow that is easy to maintain. a gardener
How to plant sod
March 2003
We recently moved to home with a backyard (our first ever). A significant portion of the yard was covered in Algerian ivy which I've spend the last month removing. We'd like to put in sod (where the ivy was) -- but we can't afford any of the estimates we've gotten so our only option is to do it ourselves. How do I know whether I need to amend our soil? Is the job as simple as rototilling, raking, grading and then laying the sod? Is there anywhere i can go for specific instructions? Thanks very much. Annette
We did our own backyard and nothing could be easier than laying your own sod. Having someone else do it is nothing but robbery! We were quoted $1200 to sod our lawn and we did it ourselves for $350 (the cost of the sod). The only tricky part is having a large enough vehicle to transport it (if you go pick it up yourself). Yes, you should ammend your soil. Ask at your local nursery for ammendment suggestions, pile it on and rototill it in. Or you can just throw regular fertilizer on it if your soil isn't too bad (ours was pure clay so we had to do a lot).
The just go ahead and unroll the sod, give it a good soaking with water (get it nice and soggy and keep it that way for the next 12 hours or so). You might want to get one of those little sod cutters if you have to work around any trees or other obstacles in your lawn. Also, sod is heavy so if you have a dolly or a wheelbarrow to move it from the truck to the yard that will save your back. email me if you have any questions and good luck! cameron
Doing a lawn right is labor intensive, but shortcuts will reduce its health and longevity. Soil preparation is key. Work the soil when moist but not gooey.
Our clay soils are compacted, & rototilling does not open them deeply (affects drainage & root growth). Break up with shovel & pick to about 12''.
All soils here need organic amendment- for a lawn, at least 1 part to 2 parts soil- turn in well to 12''. Then, rototil to blend the top layer finely.
Grade, & then water for a week or 2 to settle. Next do a finish grade with a grading rake, roll with a roller 2/3 full of water, grade again, roll again, etc. until the grade is just right (it will be a bit mounded until it finishes settling).
Spread starter lawn fertilizer, lay the sod, roll with the roller 1/3 full of water.
Saturate the sod, keep it very wet for the first week, then wet for 2 weeks, then moist for another 1-2 weeks. Don't use it for 4 weeks.
Consider putting in an irrigation system- you & your lawn will be grateful! Cecelia
Hi Annette, My husband & I have installed sod at 2 different houses relying solely on advice & supplies from Sloat Garden Center (SF and Marin); they are very willing to answer questions in detail over the phone. The hardest part is clearing out the weeds, so you're more than halfway! Get yourself a soil test kit and then augment according to those results. Grass likes nitrogen so we had to augment w/chicken fertilizer & forest mulch. If it's a large area, you might want to consider installing a sprinkler system (we bought a kit on-line from lawnbeltusa.com and it works great). Rake, level, and then roll out the sod like carpet. It's amazing how quickly you can go from brown dirt patch to lawn; it's really satisfying! -CG
We installed sod about four years ago. We learned so much. Make sure your sprinklers work REALLY well first. We just rototilled the soil with a lot of leaves in it. It was very inorganic sand/gravel/clay soil. The grass is still growing fine. However, we picked a very fine fescu and this is not the best climate for fescu. Half our yard is shadey and half sunny. As long as it gets water the grass does well in either sun or shade. I think it needs too much water and if I had it to do over again I would pick a less fine grass, even leaning toward a thick crab crab grass type, that doesn't need so much mowing or water. What ever type you choose be prepared for the racoons to roll up the sod every night ruining all your work for weeks. You can buy our live trap if it comes to that (540-8788). Every morning you will go out and have to stamp it down again. But in the end your grass will grow. Maybe seeds would be better (especially at this time of year) because you wouldn't have to battle the racoons, with plenty of water it grows well. Sarah
EBMUD offers a Landscape Design Assistance Program that you might find helpful. You book a 2-hour session with one of the program’s approved professional landscape designers to receive recommendations on plant choice, layout, and/or irrigation ideas for your landscape project. You will pay the designer a $200 fee at the time of service and then be reimbursed by EBMUD upon successful completion of your landscape transformation.
I can recommend Laura Kukulski with Wild Things Garden Design who is part of this program.
I did a small patch of lawn alternative last winter, as part of a garden overhaul. From what you say, you don't really need anyone but a landscape contractor. We used Ecopacha- they were great, and could totally do a job such as levelling, putting in the groundcover and installing a walkway. A full designer is overkill, and when I looked around, I couldn't find any that would take a teeny job, and most wanted to do the installation as well. The EBMUD program sounds like a great improvement for that part!
You do need to figure out what you want as the groundcover- if your dog digs, no groundcover is going to stop that. And if it's going to get hard use- dog running over it every day, people walking over it every day, etc., then your choices are pretty limited. Some groundcovers come in sod form and can be laid all at once and you just need to water and keep off for a few weeks it until it settles in. Others only come in plugs and you need to wait for it to fill in and that might take half a year or more. I don't know of any place that could walk you through the choices- there may be some place, but I don't know of one- maybe that's where the EBMUD design assistance could be useful.