A manicured lawn is as synonymous with suburban America as the white picket fence. But if maintaining that perfectly green yard seems like a chore, that’s because lawns are – essentially – unnatural.
In America, lawns as we know them caught on among wealthy citizens wanting to mimic the lawns surrounding English abbeys. From there, lawns became a suburban staple when they were included in the design of mass-produced communities like Levittown.
Yet the most common grasses used in our lawns are not native to America. And the very act of keeping them alive and green three seasons a year goes against their natural life cycle.
Sure, lawns store carbon. But between the watering they require, pollution from mowing, accidental gas spills, and chemical fertilizers, they are a resource drain. Beyond that, lawns are a veritable wasteland for biodiversity, leaving pollinators and birds with few places to live and eat.
Of course, lawns are part of our lifestyle – a place for backyard barbeques, games of badminton, and a safe area for children to play. No one is suggesting eliminating them – but do consider reducing the area you mow by dedicating more of your yard to wild growth.
Planting an area of native, perennial plants can provide habitat and forage for butterflies, bees, and birds – which are a joy to observe. The wild area can be lower maintenance than a lawn – and, when you factor in upkeep, it will likely absorb more carbon dioxide than the grass alone.
Resources online abound for undertaking such a project. And early fall is a good time for planting.
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Web Links
Outgrowing the Traditional Grass Lawn
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/brainwaves/2013/07/29/outgrowing-the-traditional-grass-lawn/
Gardens
http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/gardens/
Creating a Wildlife Garden
http://www.wildflower.org/clearinghouse/articles/Wildlife_Garden.pdf
Successful Wildflower Meadows
http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh84mead.htm
Photo, taken on November 23, 2007, courtesy of Marco Arment via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.