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Letting Go of the Lawn

Gradient Ocean

Terry Cullen

Feb 7, 2023

United States

Categories:

Gardens, Gardening, Lawns, Native Plants, Natural Habitat, Natural Environment, Water Conservation, Climate Change

Heather McCargo would like you to tear out your grass lawn for good. And replace it with native plants. And for many good reasons, according to this article from the January 2023 edition of Downeast.


Now, why would anyone want to do that? All the lawns in the United States equal an area the size of the state of Iowa (56,257 square miles or 145,743 square kilometers. Comparing, that is approximately 2X the size of Ireland, ½ the size of Italy, ⅔ the size of S. Korea, ½ the size of The Philippines, or 4X the size of Botswana). This giant grass area emits about 20 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. It accounts for nearly half of all residential water consumption in the United States and almost a quarter of all herbicide use. All to maintain that green grassed lawn.


Enter the Wild Seed Project. Founded in 2014 by Heather McCargo, its mission is to teach people to appreciate and grow native plant species, helping to restore some of New England’s (US) lost biodiversity where McCargo lives. The organization started selling native plant seeds. Today it offers over 90 varieties of seeds and sells thousands of packets each year through its online store. Today, the Wild Seed Project employs 8 people and has over 2,000 paying members.


Most of us have heard of the benefits of planting native plant species, including their ability to handle drought better than non-native species, no fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are required, and they may attract birds and butterflies to your garden.


McCargo makes an additional point she claims commercial horticulture has abandoned in its practices, that is, sexual reproduction. Like every living thing, plants require sexual reproduction to diversify and strengthen their species, so they continually evolve and adapt to changing conditions. Without sexual reproduction, a species will go extinct. Commercial horticulture produces mono-cultures of flowers and plants shipped globally, so the same types of flowers you see on a balcony in Barcelona, Spain, could be the same in Los Angeles, California (US).


Getting rid of your grassed front lawn and replacing it with plants that are native to your locale is not just good for climate change and the conservation of water and soil but the diversity of plants (and, in turn, insects and animals). It is a simple and effective way you, an individual, can make a positive difference in the world. Start by checking out organizations in your area, like Wildseed Project. They may be listed as native plant organizations. Talk with people in those organizations to get information on planning a native plant garden, including types of plants and how to prepare the ground. Learn about cold weather germination, a common way most wildflowers propagate.


Perhaps, you are not ready to turn your entire lawn into a native plant garden just yet. Start with a smaller garden, free form in shape, for example, and expand it each year. Not only will it give you the confidence to try more native plant species you will likely be delighted with less and less lawn to mow. Consider getting your local club, organization, or group of friends together and talk with your local government or neighborhood association about doing a demonstration garden on a piece of common land.


Invite nature to your home, whether it is a suburban home or an urban apartment with a native plant garden. Nature will respond if you give it a chance.


Photo by Charlie Wollborg on Unsplash.

Source:

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Catalog #:

0223.100.01.020723

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