There is a lot of work involved in vegetables and fruits, and to some degree shrubs. Most anything that you like, deer will also like. You also can't as easil

There is a lot of work involved in vegetables and fruits, and to some degree shrubs. Most anything that you like, deer will also like. You also can't as easily run around and play various games in something that has shrubs all over it. All of the examples you are showing are, in my opinion, trying to create an outdoor sitting room; which is not what many families want (in my case, I have a deck for that). I don't water my grass, and it isn't as pretty as some people's yards; but it is perfectly fine for playing in; and looks decent enough. The whole "sprinkler systems are bad" argument doesn't hold much water in suburban NY.