ALT LAWN ULTRA - Kurapia Groundcover Sod & Plugs
There's really only one native spreading groundcover that currently works as a full-coverage lawn. Luckily, it’s the most Waterwise option to date! A sustainable lawn alternative at a fraction of the cost of artificial turf. Grows well in shade, though gets slightly longer and wispier.
Kurapia is a succulent California Native Groundcover
This varietal of Phylla is a sterile groundcover that charms bees, grows low and goes months without water in the cool season. Recently hybridized in Japan to prevent aggressive spreading, where it's rapidly replaced lawns and living walls, it's currently just catching on in California. Alt Lawn Ultra is an exceptional pollinator habitat, stays 1-3” high, and roots 10' deep to survive drought. In most parts of California Phylla nodiflora requires little to no winter watering after the first year and can survive on 1x weekly waterings; greens up with 2-3...
Rebate Qualifier: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has deemed Kurapia groundcover as a rebate qualifying lawn alternative. Apply now! Click here for more details.
Mowing Optional & Dog Friendly
Mow it once a month to keep the small clover-like flowering down and get the freshest look. Or never mow. It’ll naturally stay soccer height & look decent regardless. Deep rooting and party hosting perfect. This groundcover is unstoppable once established (but don't worry it's also sterile so won't spread by seed and is not invasive). Sure, it creeps. But it stands up to dogs, sports, parties and a good amount of neglect. The image below shows an installation of Kurapia before, during install and after during L.A. water restriction requirements.
Sod or Plugs
Roll out the carpet! Here comes your new sod lawn, ready to walk on lightly after installing. Let the dog run free after 4-6 weeks. Delivered in trays of 64 or 72, plugs fill-in to full coverage in as little as 6-8 weeks in warm seasons. If planted Nov-Feb they will not start spreading until temperatures warm. Quantities sold are for 12" or 16" centering.
Plugs are delivered Wednesdays ONLY, morning-midday.
Care & Installation
Weed - regularly in the first year. Nut sedge is most common weed problem in Southern California.
Mowing - holds up to a regular mowing schedule with additional irrigation. Once monthly mowing recommended if bee-attracting flowers are a concern. Reducing watering also reduces blooming. No mowing necessary. Naturally grows 1" high in sun and up to 3-4" high in shade.
Blooming - Phylla nodiflora produces a bee attracting flower, especially in Spring. Most customers love nursing our honeybees and don't find them bothersome. However, it's not right for everyone!
NOT RECOMMENDED for homes with bees allergies or strong aversions.
FAQ's
Around one week. Select your preferred delivery date at checkout and we'll do our best to make it happen! Please note: Alta Lawn Ultra - Kurapia Groundcover plugs are delivered on Wednesdays only.
Kurapia & California Meadow products come in sod or plugs. Plugs are small plants that you plant every square foot with the help of a bulb auger drill bit. Sod is like a green carpet you roll out and apply heavy pressure to bond with soil.
Kurapia grows very slowly when temperatures are cool, so rarely spreads much at all from late November to about February. If you're thinking you'd like to do plugs, just be advised that you will have to wait a little extra (and weed regularly in the mean time) for it to fill in fully. Sod on the other hand gives instant coverage.
California Meadow on the other hand has a mix of warm and cool season grasses so will fill-in at about the same rate most times of year. Though in general most plants spread faster with generous warmth.
Plugs are spaced at 12" but you can space further (just lower your squre footage order) if you're not in a rush. Or want to fill in with something else later. We have a 200 sq.ft. minimum on all lawn options. Orders under 400 sq.ft. are subject to a slight price increase to accomodate current shipping rates.
More or less the same as regular sod or lawn except with less fertilizer. Here's some basic guidelines:
HOW TO PREP YOUR DIRT
Remove Nasties: Pull out weeds, stumps & any plants you don’t want
Loosen ‘er Up: Use a shovel or tiller to loosen the top 4-6 inches of soil. If you have sandy or uncompacted soil this isn't necessary.
Groom: Remove smaller rocks & roots. clean it up so it’s smooth and buttery as possible.
Rake-in Amendments: Rake a light dressing of organic compost, lime &/or Mycorrhizae evenly across
the ground.
Wet soil: to a minimum of 6” deep to before laying down your sod. This will give a nice moist surface for the roots to bond with when lain down.
Irrigation requirements: sprinkler irrigation is recommended for all sod and most plug products (except in shadey or passively irrigated conditions). Hand-watering not recommended.
The first 2 weeks establishment requires multiple daily waterings. First month's establishment progresses to once a day watering. Then reduce to a regular 2x a week watering schedule (more may be required if planting in hot times of year). Native grasses typically need 2x a week waterings for heat waves in Southern California. Kurapia survives on 1x a week watering in times of water shortages but looks better with 2.
About half of these lawns require no winter irrigation! Contact us for details.
