Perfect yard need not be defined by a weedless ocean of grass

There's no argument that we Americans are in love with our lawns. We pamper them with copious amounts of water and fertilizers, as well as with perilous pesticides in an ongoing attempt to decimate every bad bug and eliminate any possibility of disastrous diseases in our more than 24 million acres of lawn that carpet our country.

In the search for the Holy Grail -- the perfect lawn -- we are often guilty of adding to the pollution our surface and ground water -- which can put our health and that of wildlife at risk -- all in an attempt to create a velvety green lawn without a single weed or any other blemish.

Well, that's not completely true. There is a minuscule minority of gardeners who have opted to do away with their lawns entirely and use all the space surrounding their homes just for creating beautiful gardens.

A prime example is Don Phillips and Alma Navarro's home at 215 N. 36th Ave. in Yakima. Along with many others who recently took the Yakima Area Arboretum's garden tour, I was mesmerized by the lawnless garden that surrounds their one-story stucco bungalow home.

Don had done some gardening at his home in Bellevue, but it was only after he and Alma were married that the lawn began to shrink to be replaced with more garden space. After Don had retired from his administrative post office position, they moved to Yakima where Alma, a CPA, had taken a new position. Serendipity brought them to their present home, which they purchased the day they first saw it.

Alma had taken an elective botany class while she worked on a degree at Boise State University. She also took the Master Gardeners course during the time she lived in Idaho. Though claiming not to be a gardening expert, their garden speaks otherwise.

Don defers the gardening to his Alma, but he has played an important part in creating their beautiful garden. His bailiwick has been designing and installing the hardscaping, including the walkways, arches, pergola and the garden fence and gate to their backyard garden.

Don and Alma's philosophy is to use recyclables whenever possible. Habitat for Humanity's Restore has been a source for projects, not only in the garden but also for constructing the comfortable front porch and the deck in the back. Don's search for recycled materials for garden hardscaping has also taken him to yard sales and antique shops, as well as keeping an eye out for salvageables from demolitions and commercial remodeling.

Garden paths made from broken concrete wind like a wandering serpent through the garden, both in the front yard and in their more private backyard garden. Flagstones brought from their former home in Bellevue have also been used in the pathways. Several different kinds of thyme fill the spaces between the stepping stones, which serve to unify the entire garden. Additionally, the paths give the illusion that the garden is larger than it actually is.

Their garden incorporates a large variety of different perennials, shrubs, trees and vines. Annuals are used only sparsely. Alma prefers to use most of her gardening budget for trees and shrubs -- they last much longer and are most economical in the long run.

Surprises abound at every turn along the paths that wind through areas of dappled shaded, full sun and a little deep shade, making it possible for a plethora of plants of different kinds to grow in their relatively small garden.

Among the many perennials are hostas, ferns, bamboo, ornamental grasses, a number of different succulents and lavender, to name just a few. Trees include a number of different evergreens, Japanese maple, flowering cherry, a mystery tree yet to be identified, as well as several kinds of fruit trees.

Though there are a vast variety of plants in this small garden, it doesn't overwhelm the viewer with a busy, overcrowded feeling. Adding to the versatility of the garden are plantings in portable urns and pots that can be moved about the garden. The total effect of the garden is one that beckons you to sit down on one of the benches to relax and enjoy the quietness and beauty that flourish throughout the garden.

Alma waters their water-wise garden with a hose. She enjoys this method of watering because it allows her a stress-free time to spend with her plants. Few pesticides, and then only organic ones, are used.

There is no such thing as a carefree garden, contrary to what some garden books and articles would have you believe. Alma spends time "editing" her garden, which is a metaphor of writing. Writers edit their manuscripts to eliminate grammatical and spelling mistakes, and gardeners do the same to eliminate weeds and plants that turn out to be duds.

Writers move sentences and paragraphs around to give cohesiveness to their writing, and gardeners do the same to unify their plantings. Writers prune out unnecessary words, sentences and even whole paragraphs and sections; gardeners can do the same, even eliminating their entire lawns.

The final result can be a wonderful garden much like Alma and Don's with a lot a less time wasted watering, fertilizing and applying pesticides. You will have more time left to actually enjoy your garden. And there's yet another bonus: No time wasted mowing boring green grass.

* Freelance gardening columnist Jim McLain can be reached at 509-697-6112 or ongardening@fairpoint.net.