Well-manicured grass lawns have long been associated with the American Dream, but a growing "rewilding" movement now seeks to reclaim yard space for nature.Heck, the DrsC have had an "ungarden" at our WY place for 20 years. The birds and deer love it, and we like it a lot too. See a photo at the other DrC's blogsite.
When we were getting started we had to water a bit in late summer, not any more. The only thing I try to keep out is thistles, and that is less a full-on battle than a off-and-on low-grade insurgency.