Turf grass: Lawn or con?
Lawns are a ubiquitous sight in the United States. Stroll down any street or neighborhood, and you will likely see nearly every yard filled with nothing but grass. Turf grass covers about 2% of the surface of the continental US, making it the most farmed plant- more than corn and wheat combined. Clearly, America has an obsession with turf grass, but exactly how much of a problem do our landscaping habits create? In this article, we will explore some of the issues with lawns and the easy ways to turn them into wildlife-friendly places!
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Sod Off: Lawn Problems
It isn't easy to imagine a neighborhood without also picturing the lawns surrounding each house. To most homeowners, taking care of a lawn reinforces ideas of community cooperation, stewardship, and status. If a lawn is green, uniform, and well-maintained, its owner is likely to be well-regarded. Perceptions about lawns are ingrained in our society, but these perceptions must be changed. Not only do lawns cost an absurd amount of money and time, but they also harm our health, the health of our pets, and the well-being of our overall environment.
How much water is used to irrigate lawns in the US?
750 thousand gallons/day
500 million gallons/day
9 billion gallons/day
The Answer:
9 billion gallons/day is correct. Watering turf grass makes up ⅓ of residential water use in the Eastern US and up to ⅔ in the West.
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Is the Grass Really Greener?
Lawns eat resources faster than a jay goes through peanuts. Time, money, chemicals, water, and even health are all consumed voraciously by turf grass. Kentucky bluegrass, one of the primary grasses used in lawns, is, in fact, not native to Kentucky. It’s not even from the US. Kentucky bluegrass was imported from Europe in the 1600s. Other popular grasses, like ryegrass, Bermuda grass, and centipede grass all share similar stories. None are native to the US. As non-native plants, they can’t survive easily on their own. Thus, lawn owners are forced to feed their grasses fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and gallons upon gallons of water, and grass is insatiable. Nearly 80 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns each year in the US, and another 90 million pounds of chemical fertilizer are put on top of that. Many chemical lawn enhancers are banned in other countries due to their hazards. Lawn pesticides have a strong link to cases of lymphoma, and children and pets are most at risk of cancer since they spend the most time rolling around in the grass. Simply maintaining and mowing lawns takes a collective 3 billion hours each year, emitting nearly 27 million tons of air pollutants. The risks to human life and health are clear. Lawns are bad news. But it doesn’t stop there.
Learn about the native plants in your region!
Lawns also pose a considerable risk to wildlife. Up to 60% of fertilizer applied to lawns drains into surface and groundwater. More fertilizer leads to less oxygen in the water, killing fish and aquatic invertebrates that make up the base of many food webs. It also promotes toxic algal blooms and makes drinking water more dangerous for wildlife. In many western regions, drought continues to be a problem. 9 billion gallons of water go towards lawns daily on an average summer day in the US. Rivers, lakes, aquifers, and rainfall struggle and fail to keep up with demand, leaving less and less water for thirsty wildlife. Areas where plants and animals can go and have their needs met are shrinking.
How did lawns take root?
Since lawns present such a problem, you may be wondering, how did we get here? How did lawns become so popular?
Lawns are a European invention. They became popular with the wealthy of England and France in the 1600s. To have a lawn in that time period, a landowner had to have enough wealth to afford land that wasn’t dedicated to productivity or crop raising. Furthermore, lawns required excessive manpower to care for grass and keep it shorn. Without lawnmowers, maintaining a lawn was indeed an impressive feat reserved for the very wealthy. At their core, lawns are symbols of status.
Electric lawnmowers are quieter and can cut down on greenhouse emissions!
In the US, some of the first lawns were hosted at Thomas Jefferson’s estate in Monticello and George Washington’s land in Mount Vernon. These influential figures brought lawns to the US. However, it was only after World War II that lawnmowers became popular and widely available. This kickstarted the lawn as we know it today. As turf grass became easier to maintain, more people were able to establish their yards, along with their status as well-to-do members of society.
Lawns have only been well-established for the last 75 years, making them relatively young. The enormity of their impact in such a short time has been impressive, though destructive. Lawns are not merely expanses of grass. They are part of American culture. Many perceptions about lawns pervade society. Most people, especially middle-class families that live in the suburbs, see lawns as a communal space. Think of hosting a cookout or having all the neighborhood kids in your yard for a baseball game. Having a lawn is synonymous with being a good neighbor, which is certainly something to strive for. However, the perception of what makes a good neighbor needs to change. Lawns cause health issues and negative environmental impacts. They make your neighbors sick, and they pollute the areas you live in. They cannot be part of what makes a strong community or a good neighbor.
My birdbath brings all the birds to the yard!
Turn over a new leaf: Remove the turf
A lot of what has been written so far in this article feels pretty bleak. BUT! I have good news for you! Converting lawns into areas with native plants is easy and incredibly effective. Restoring wildlife takes little more than a few seeds and a willingness to learn!
Lawns take up a TON of space. They occupy 2% of the surface of the continental US. That is 400 million acres, roughly the size of New England. This gives lawn owners plenty of room to grow! Converting lawns into wildlife-friendly spaces provides many benefits to homeowners and their families, as well as local flora and fauna. For a long time, most conservation has been done through setting aside grand wilderness. Think of national parks. You may take vacations to ‘the great outdoors’ for camping, hiking, or fishing. However, it is time to start looking at the nature in our backyards, in addition to these grand wilderness areas.
There isn’t enough space in the world for animals and nature to be there, and humans and cities to be here. We must start inviting nature back into our local lives. In doing so, there are many benefits to human health. People who spend more time outside, especially in areas with a diversity of species, report being happier and less stressed. They also live longer. By focusing on the life close by, we get to experience the wonder and majesty of the outdoors every day! Look for the butterflies, birds, and other amazing critters! Enjoy the changes in seasons and each new flower bloom they herald in! There are so many amazing things all around us, and taking a moment to appreciate them fills life with gratitude and wonder!
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Not only do backyard wildlife areas help humans, but they also are instrumental in protecting ecosystems. Having a yard full of native plants gives animals the space they need to survive, and they’ll do so in a place you can watch and enjoy! Where lawns are a monoculture that few animals can live in, wildlife gardens support a diversity of life. In the few years that my yard has been converted into a wildlife habitat, I’ve seen five families of House Wrens nesting in my yard! I’ve seen species of colorful and fluffy caterpillars that I hadn’t previously known existed and more butterflies than I can keep track of. A screech owl moved into one of our old trees, and even a weasel took up residence! Converting my yard was easy, and the reward has been priceless!
Root man or a fruit man
Changing your yard from turf grass to wildlife habitat can be daunting, but remember, you are not alone. There are many resources available that can help. And while killing off non-native grasses and replacing them with local plants may be one of the most effective routes for changing your yard, such drastic action may be overwhelming. There are intermediate steps to be taken that are still very effective.
Here are some Flocking tips to help get started:
You do not need to convert your entire yard. If you enjoy using areas of turf for soccer games or other fun activities, leave them and work on different parts of the yard.
If replanting an entire yard is too daunting, start with small sections. Perhaps move the perimeter of a flower bed out several feet or pick a section of turf grass to replant.
Stop mowing, and stop adding chemicals to your lawn. While turf grass isn’t native, letting it grow long will still provide the structure that many insects and small animals need for shelter, and it will likely be overtaken by native plants given time.
Some native plants are more aggressive than others. If you want the plants to do the work, select aggressive species, and they will take over the turf for you.
Diversify the plants in your yard. Research what seeds fit your yard’s particular ecosystem. Consider water, sunlight, and soil type.
Consider the structure of the plants you pick. Tall plants, like trees or bushes, will provide more habitat for animals to hide and nest in. Chokecherries and raspberries are excellent options to provide food and shelter if you are in a region that supports them.
Finally, here are some of my favorite resources:
High Country Gardens. This website has a section specifically for finding native seeds for your region.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This robust database can help you find wildflowers that suit your yard, with filters for light, water needs, and habitat type.
The National Audubon Society. This site has a specific and helpful database for finding seeds. Just type in your email and postal code, and they will recommend plants for your area and list what birds the plants are likely to attract.
Homegrown National Park. You can find many great resources on this site, from where to get seeds to help install a garden.
Seeding a brighter future
Imagine a world where lawns are obsolete and wildlife habitat has taken their place. How much wildlife would be able to return and thrive? How differently would people view their outdoor spaces? How much healthier and happier would people be? Walking down a suburban sidewalk, you could see nature, abundant and thriving. The transition away from lawns may be difficult, but the change would be extraordinary.
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