Clover or scented thyme lawn replacement?

[wonderrotunda]

Hi
I have a very unloved lawn - I don't enjoy grass, its sloping so not easy to mow and I don't get much free time (until now!) I did think a wildflower area would be nice, but it sounds as though it would need a couple of years to bed in - I'd like something the insects would enjoy. I'd also like to grow a few soft fruits and maybe easy veg (do peppers need a greenhouse?!)
Could you please suggest what would be more attractive/straightforward? Thank you!

For a lawn replacement that's insect friendly I'd go for clover. Bees go absolutely nuts for the stuff.

I've had some success with tomatoes, potatoes (which are actually quite pretty plants when they're in flower), carrots and peppers. None of them had bumper crops but all tasted fabulous, much sweeter and more flavourful than what you buy off the shelf.

Carrots are dead easy. They'll grow basically anywhere and mine didn't even mind about a bit of frost this year.

For soft fruits I'd suggest a plum tree, blueberry bush and strawberries.

I have successfully grown all of these and if they can survive in my garden they are basically tough as dandelions.

Black currant and gooseberries are easy to grow and tough. You can get massive crops off mature black currant bushes as well. Easy veg for the ground are radishes, oriental greens (pak choi etc), chard, lettuce, carrots (in light soil), shallots (I’m heavier soil), courgettes, pumpkins (the plants get quite big), dwarf French beans. Cabbage and early sprouting broccoli are easy but prey to cabbage white caterpillars.
Things like peppers and tomatoes I would grow in pots or grow bags on a sheltered patio or greenhouse, unless you live down south in a warmer part of the country.

Carrots are dead easy. They'll grow basically anywhere Not on my heavy clay!

dwarf French beans. And climbing French beans. More beans in a smaller space.

Oh what a wonderful lot you are! I feel all inspired! Thank you so much 😊

They’ll grow mear but they’ll only be about 2 centimetres long

I've been thinking about using microclover to replace the grass in our small lawn for a while now, might be something you could consider

Note I've read that clover is not particularly tolerant of high traffic, can be difficult to eradicate and can stain cloth and other fabrics

www.dlf.com/lawns/microclover

www.ivisons.com/product/ivisons-pipolina-micro-clover-wild-flower-mix-12/

That's two links

www.dlf.com/lawns/microclover

www.ivisons.com/product/ivisons-pipolina-micro-clover-wild-flower-mix-12/

No it doesn't

I know the OP said "I'd like something the insects would enjoy" but thought it might be something to consider seeing as the OP has asked about lawn alternatives.

If it's an absolute must that only flowering plants are to be suggested then I wholeheartedly apologise

I can't help feeling that if a clover/thyme/camomile lawn was easy to grow they would be more popular. I do know that clover weeds spread easily so they might spread into adjoining flowerbeds.

Perhaps stick a plum tree in the middle then only mow a circle outside of it's branches (once it's grown) and leave the undergrass uncut with buttercups etc.

Or several trees if you have space with a shady patch in the middle for sitting.

But I have bought fruit trees recently which seem very short. I think they are grafted onto stock to keep them small for modern gardens. So if you want a full size tree check this when you buy it.

We sowed microclover into our lawn last year and I've been very pleased with it. It's a 'cottage' mix with low maintenance grasses as well. It's very lush and green and tolerates dry/irregular cutting better than standard grass. We had a couple of flowers last year but not many. I just tidied up the borders and it's spread a little but no worse than the grass. We also have quite a lot of creeping thyme in some sloping parts of the garden and it wouldn't be as nice to walk/play on for the kids!

Lots of success with soft fruit here - currants, gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries. Potatoes have also been a good one for us. Tomatoes always seem to fruit then stay green for ages despite lots of sun. Not sure what I am doing wrong!

My parents had an accidental wild flower lawn. It was an old tennis court, and my father wasn't into lawn maintenance other than mowing. It's the main reason I have such an interest in wild flowers now.

We had: daisies, white clover, medick, birds foot trefoil, self heal, dog violet, field wood rush, lady smock, lady's bedstraw, barren strawberry.