@Serpent thank you for the lawn alternative suggestions. I do want to replace the grass with something like a stone pathway and plants, but I'm pretty sure our HOA would be against that if they were to ever find out. I love the look of stonecrops and I just planted (stuffed) a few in the rocky crevices of the retaining wall so we'll see if they take root. I'll look into some environmentally-friendly grass fertilizer. I hear you can make your own with beer, baby shampoo, etc.!
