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Lawns

Friday I cut my lawns for the first time this year. Why do I do this? Time, energy, money, and damage to the environment, and all for what?
It has become the done thing to have a lawn that has to be fed, watered, and frequently cut in a never ending cycle - but at what cost to the home owner and the environment? Greedy lawns guzzle up water, food, toxic chemicals, fuel, labour, time and commitment, with no actual purpose apart from neatness and uniformity. Is it not time now to break away from this uniformity and lose the bloody lawn! No, this is not my lawn!

lawns2

Posted on 24th Feb, 2013 at 19:55 | | Leave a comment | 8 comments | Add to Memories | Share

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warriorsavant

I'm with you. I never understood the "neat little lawn" idea. I'd rather have a more overgrown environment, screening out the surrounding hustle and bustle, feeling like I live in a mysterious house in the woods. (I admit this is big talk from someone who lives in a condo, but might have a house again some day.)
Posted on 23rd Feb, 2013 20:17 (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

athgarvan

I wish you the best of luck in your efferts.
Posted on 23rd Feb, 2013 20:22 (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

warriorsavant

Thank you (although no effort on my part happening right now). The same to you.
Posted on 23rd Feb, 2013 20:40 (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

writerjenn

I agree with you. We have been covering our property with as much garden, ivy, myrtle, pine needles, and other ground cover as possible. The grass that we do have, we don't do anything but cut it. If there isn't enough rain, it just goes brown because we don't water it; it greens up again when the rain comes. We don't use pesticides.
Posted on 23rd Feb, 2013 20:50 (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

ellarien

Where I used to live in Arizona (12 inches of rain in a good year) it was actually illegal to landscape new development with lawns. Existing ones were allowed to stay, and I guiltily enjoyed the lush green around my apartment complex, but grass really makes no sense in the desert -- it takes a crazy amount of water and still has to be reseeded every autumn to keep it looking good.
Posted on 23rd Feb, 2013 21:51 (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

lyonesse

here in the usa there's a movement to turn yards into "wildlife sanctuaries" and so on. the department of agriculture will help you set up one appropriate to your particular property. perhaps there's such a program where you live as well?
Posted on 24th Feb, 2013 03:31 (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

athgarvan

I'm afraid not. But lots of people and public parks have 'natural' areas set aside in which wild flowers, etc. grow and birds are encouraged to nest and small animals run about. Children are encouraged to visit these areas and learn about nature.
Posted on 24th Feb, 2013 10:06 (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

lyonesse

those sound very nice. it's too bad there's no support for having people do that in their homes; i think those are nicer than lawns, & better for the environment in many ways.
Posted on 25th Feb, 2013 03:53 (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply