How To Keep Cars From Parking On My Lawn

It’s common in suburban neighborhoods for cars to use lawns as their parking area whenever they invite friends over for block parties. However, this becomes annoying and an inconvenience when they park on your lawn without permission and ruin the grass you’ve been taking care of for so long.

If you find these instances frustrating, there are ways you can do to make sure this never happens again. From putting barriers to placing decorative pieces that serve as protection from cars, here’s our complete guide to ensure no more cars will run over your lush green lawns. (Read Difference Between Topsoil And Lawn Soil)

Risks of Cars Parking on Lawns

Before we get into the different ways to keep cars from parking on your lawn, let’s all first look at the risks you might face if you let others keep doing it in your yard:

It damages your grass. The first and foremost risk of letting any car park on your lawn is they damage your grass. The longer they leave their car parked in the area, the higher the risk of damaging it.
It makes you susceptible to burglary. Letting strangers park on your lawn isn’t only inconvenient, but it is also unsafe. It also poses more risk when your area is left open for anyone to park and you’re not at home.
It can be a safety hazard. People who park on lawns sometimes throw cigarettes outside their windows before they drive away. If the grass in your yard is too dry, it can be a fire hazard that risks your garden.
It can leave you with a muddy yard. You will surely be left with a muddy yard when cars park on your lawn during winter. Since the soil tends to become soft and wet, it will become a muddy mess!

Ways to Keep Cars from Parking on Lawns

It’s not the cars that are your enemy when trying to keep them off your lawn; it’s the inconsiderate people driving them. It can be quite hard to deal with this kind of people who think that lawns are nothing but just for appeal and aesthetics.

If you find yourself in this situation, these ways might do the trick:

Put up a sign on your lawn. An easy way to try blocking off cars from parking on your lawn is to put up a “No Parking” sign. This traditional way is often the homeowner’s first resort to keep off unwanted cars from using their yards as parking spots.
Place lamps around your yard. If you think signs are a bit of an eye sore, you can try placing lamps around your yard for a more decorative piece. Not only do they light up your lawn at night, but they also make great barriers to ensure no cars will park on your lawn.
Use statuaries as decorative pieces. Another way to level up the look of your lawn while keeping cars out of it is statuaries. Whether it’s a classic statue, some decorative fountains, or cute garden gnomes, they are a great way to block the cars from your yard.
Plant some trees. While trees might not be a quick solution since it takes them years to grow, they are an economical option. Trees are also built to withstand any strength, in case some cars insist to park on your lawn.
Decorate using topiaries or bushes. If you can’t wait for trees to grow, you can opt for topiaries and bushes. Greeneries are a great decorative way to make your lawn even more beautiful while also being an efficient way to block cars from parking in your yard.
Make use of rock gardens. Large rocks make great barriers if you don’t want anyone trespassing in your area. But rock gardens make even better barriers as they can also double as decoration where you can plant flowers. They also require little maintenance since you don’t have to water them every time.
Go for landscaping features. Landscaping features such as ponds are also effective in blocking cars since they are usually placed in the middle of the lawn. The presence of water can also discourage cars from parking near it since it might leave them drenched when unattended.

Effective Barriers to Your Lawns

If decorative solutions aren’t enough to keep cars from parking on your lawn, you can resort to more vicious methods. Sometimes, experimenting with these preventive measures will let you learn how to stop cars from driving on the grass verge. (Read Why Is My Lawn Full Of Flies)

Here are some of the best barriers you can add to your lawn that will ensure no one will dare to go near your yard once they see them:

Fences. A fence is undoubtedly the best barrier to keep cars off the grass. It’s a common courtesy that indicates anyone who goes beyond the fences is already considered trespassing. While wood fences are very popular, aluminum ones are a great option for durability yet low maintenance.
Boulders. Boulders that are large enough can cause damage to cars once they bump into them, discouraging them to park on your lawn. Since they are big and heavy, they cannot be easily moved by anyone.
Hedges. If topiaries and bushes are too small to block cars, yet you want greeneries for your yard, go for hedges. They make great barricades against cars for their size and offer privacy in your yard. However, the downside is that it takes time to grow, just like trees.
Driveway Guard Safety Nets. Driveway Guard Safety Nets. If you only want to put up a blocking occasionally, you can opt for driveway guard safety netting. Since they are retractable, you can mount them on either side of the driveway only when there are block parties in your area. Make sure you get them in bright colors so they can be noticeable at night!
Parking Cones. Another cost-efficient and the temporary method you can go for are parking cones. They are made to make sure no one parks in the area where it is placed, plus they also glow in the dark, making them great blockings at any time of the day.
Concrete pyramids. These spiky bases are less dangerous versions of spiky bases that effectively deter car owners. You can install them at the edges of your lawn to serve as barriers in your grass instead of putting up fences or hedges.
Spike Strips. In worst-case scenarios, such as repeated lawn parking, you can install yard spikes for cars in your lawn. These spike strips are a no fussy way of telling your neighbors and their visitors that you don’t tolerate any more unwanted parking in your area. Take note also that this does not only ruin car tires but also anything or anyone that might step on it.

Repairing Lawns Damaged by Cars

When worst comes to worst, and your lawn has already been damaged, don’t worry! There are steps you can follow depending on how shallow or deep the ruts are on your grass.

For shallow ruts (less than 4 inches deep):

Find the edge of the tire marks in your lawn.
Try to loosen the soil with a shovel at around a 45-degree angle into the rut.
Lift the soil at around one or two inches above the existing grass.
Let it settle.

For deeper ruts (4 inches deep or more):

Dig up any grass in the rut, including the roots, with a shovel.
Loosen the soil at the same angle as a shallow rut.
Fill the rut with topsoil at around 1-2 inches above its existing soil level. You can also use equal parts of soil, compost, and sand.
Plant new grass if the sod has been damaged or if there are sparse areas.

Key Takeaway

Lawns are created to make the outdoors of homes more beautiful, not to be used as parking areas for cars. Don’t let your neighbors and some strangers ruin what you’ve long been taking care of. Also, remember that you can always ask people politely before you resort to these ways. Sometimes, all it takes is communication and understanding so these situations won’t happen. (Read When To Remove Straw Blanket From New Grass)

So, the next time you find yourself wondering how to keep cars from parking on your lawn, take note of the things you can do and barriers you can add in your yard. Through these ways, you don’t just add safety to your lawn. They also add beauty to your outdoor area!