Greener Lawn + Cleaner Planet

Grass lawns are one of the worst trends for sustainability — is it possible to have a green lawn with less environmental impact?

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

As spring warms up, those of us fortunate enough to have our own greenspace are likely starting to think about what grows there. Spring is a common time for reseeding, fertilizing, and watering a lawn.

The problem? Most lawns across the US use grasses that are not native to the area and require major maintenance to survive. As we have collectively grown more conscious about how we take care of ourselves and the planet, the reality of how damaging grass lawns are is hard to ignore.

• Grass requires a massive volume of water to stay green and healthy, depleting sources of clean drinking water.
• Grass needs regular fertilizer to maintain a nice green color. Improper fertilizer use can run off to pollute waterways and create pockets of concentrated fertilizer that damage plant roots.
• In many areas, grass lawns are treated with herbicides and pesticides to prevent weeds and lawn-damaging insects. These products kill native plants and are harmful to pollinators and other wildlife.
• Dog owners need to engage in extra chemical treatments to avoid yellow spots.
• Grass lawns provide no habitat or food sources for good insects —…