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Heather Kirk-Ballard, Timmerman, Anna, DeBoer, Eric
Download Publication ID: 3914B
When early settlers migrated westward to establish themselves in North America, they introduced various elements to the world around them. The origins of American lawns can be attributed to landscape designers from England and France. The first lawns in Europe were grassy fields surrounding castles that gave guards a clear view of their surroundings. Our country’s founding fathers were no exception. As wealthy landowners, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington established lawns on their estates to imitate those European country estates. Since then, the obsession with well-manicured lawns in the United States has been the status quo and the symbol of pride for homeownership.
Turfgrass lawns provide areas for unobstructed views and recreation activities such as playing ball, picnicking and lounging. With enough space, you can even enjoy the all-important sports that Americans hold dear, such as golf, football and soccer. Lawns have a place in our landscapes and our hearts. In addition, they provide many important benefits to Louisiana landscapes, like reducing stormwater runoff, filtering atmospheric pollutants and controlling erosion.
Although traditional grass lawns are a common sight in today’s landscapes, they’re not always the best or most sustainable option for ground cover. Various factors, including climate, maintenance and sunlight requirements, environmental impact and different aesthetic preferences, have resulted in the exploration and adoption of lawn or turfgrass alternative ground covers. Lawns can require scheduled upkeep such as mowing, weeding, dethatching and aerating in addition to being one of the most irrigated plants in the landscape. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, with lawns accounting for much of the use of water due to their shallow root systems.
Furthermore, we must consider the chemicals commonly applied to our lawns, such as fertilizers and pesticides (including herbicides and insecticides), which can leach into our water supply during heavy rainfall. Lawns offer limited habitat possibilities, and many of the grasses commonly used in typical home lawns are non-native to the United States. By writing about lawns and their alternatives, we aim to inspire homeowners to reconsider their concept of the American lawn. The good news is you don’t have to eliminate your lawn. You can start by downsizing and considering alternatives to what plants we utilize to create our lawns.
Liriope grows well in heavily shaded areas. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard
Mondo grass is an evergreen perennial characterized by its dense, tufted clumps of narrow, dark green leaves that resemble grass. Photo by Heather Kirk-BallardCheck PDF for more details.
P3914-B GreenYourSpace_AG824pdf / 2.30MB