How can we be more sustainable? As far as the landscape is concerned, if the lawn isn't being used as a play space, it is more than likely just one more element of eye candy awaiting your attention. From a design perspective, it's the glue that holds your landscape together, as well, arguably ties your property into your neighborhood (it is common ground). From a maintenance perspective, the lawn is a needy companion. It demands to be fertilized, weeded, sometimes requires pesticides, and always needs to be kept trim. As it grows, it nags to be nurtured and cut to perfection.
Is it a status symbol? Perhaps. Ultimately, it has just become part of the norm. It's expected. It's filler. Maintenance costs aside (all landscapes have initial costs), but the lawn in relation to the creative possibilities of the garden, is status-quo. Not to mention predictable. So who dares venture beyond Kentucky blue grass and try something different?
The following is an incomplete collection of lawn alternatives:
Is it a status symbol? Perhaps. Ultimately, it has just become part of the norm. It's expected. It's filler. Maintenance costs aside (all landscapes have initial costs), but the lawn in relation to the creative possibilities of the garden, is status-quo. Not to mention predictable. So who dares venture beyond Kentucky blue grass and try something different?
The following is an incomplete collection of lawn alternatives:
1) Ornamental Grass
2) Clover
3) Moss
4) Garden (English Garden)
5) Xeriscaping (Requires Low Water & Maintenance)
6) Synthetic Turf
7) Any Groundcovers & Low Growing Perennials (Pic: Sedum)
Click Link to PDF, to find out more about the alternatives:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/pdf/gardening_lawnalternatives.pdf
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