The American Obsession with Lawns

[Collateral Damage]

I saw one guy in MA that graveled his yard. He did dye it green. Going barefoot must be difficult.

But down here at Carolina shore, I have seen a real increase in the number of artificial lawns. They don't look that bad anymore. Except for the toupees over the water meter wells.

I'd never go for the artificial stuff. Love the 'toupee'!

Landscaping with rock and drought tolerant plantings would be my preference.

[RMNIXON]

Thing is people do become obsessed with front laws as a status symbol and for competition. But a backyard lawn only seen by family and friends is far more likely to have recreational purposes.

[Collateral Damage]

Thing is people do become obsessed with front laws as a status symbol and for competition. But a backyard lawn only seen by family and friends is far more likely to have recreational purposes.

We didn't have much lawn in the back yard. It was terraced off and the only place some grass grew (very sparse) was on the first terrace, about a 20x20 area with a big ol' crabapple tree. The other three terraces were either blue stone, mill stone by the BBQ pit, and cement on the 'games' patio. But boy o boy, was Dad particular about the front lawn being just so....

[RMNIXON]

We didn't have much lawn in the back yard. It was terraced off and the only place some grass grew (very sparse) was on the first terrace, about a 20x20 area with a big ol' crabapple tree. The other three terraces were either blue stone, mill stone by the BBQ pit, and cement on the 'games' patio. But boy o boy, was Dad particular about the front lawn being just so....

When I grew up we had a separate patio area just beyond the master bedroom that was fenced off. The larger backyard was for us kids to play in (we played in dirt back in those days) but the other part was hands off!

[donttread]

I live in a development but in a Township. The Township has no ability to do so but the Association - they can.

In Ny I'm not sure if it is cities or county , but they can and sometimes do. In towns as small as Ogdensburg, NY. Municipalities are sometimes as oppressive as federal ans state governments

[donttread]

While I myself dislike having a lawn they do have some benefits that go further than being a status symbol. They purify & cool the air, produce oxygen, help prevent water run off, and recharge aquifers.

Other plants such as a clover lawn should do that too without needing to be mowed

[DGUtley]

Everybody here is working on bear Spots to get their lawns ready for summer. We are cutting now regularly.

[donttread]

I'd never go for the artificial stuff. Love the 'toupee'!

Landscaping with rock and drought tolerant plantings would be my preference.

I see this as an area where the Green's have a major point and we can actually improve environmental harm without economic harm.
The problem is that we have been raised to see the perfect lawn as so important that there is something uncomfortable when you don't have one.
It will take time, but this is a good direction