Climate Change and Lawns

The NY Times had an interesting video documentary on lawns. The old photos are amazing. It was 7 minutes long, and I do not normally watch 'newspaper' videos, but this was more documentary. 

The Great American Lawn: How the Dream Was Manufactured

Coincidentally, I've been thinking about lawns. We've had some drought, again, and it does require that we manage our lawns differently.  We've since had some rain, but we have to be careful. There are many, I find, who shave their lawns closely, not giving it a chance to absorb even morning dew.

My house on Hobart had a small lawn, and I was trying to change it over to plants. To the left of the patio stones I'd replaced grass with plants. Then, we moved to Pine Glen, and then Muskoka! (This is the beautiful birdbath that was stolen from us.)


It's an excellent piece the NY Times video. During white colonial settlement, forests were felled, farmland created. The settlers cows and sheep ate the indigenous grasses that existed. In these days of Climate Change, with both flooding and drought, our thoughts must change. People are using too many chemicals to keep lawns pristeen, as well.

In the video, you can see how rich Americans began creating large lawns on large properties. They imported the romantic English and French notions of parks, as well as 'Kentucky Blue Grass' (actually a native species from Europe), in areas where biodiversity thrived. Technology changed things, as is its way. They highlight the development of cities with water systems, which meant the individuals could water more frequently and maintain a lawn. The development of lawn mowers, which meant maintenance was easier, meant that plantation owners could play lawn bowling on manicured lawns, maintained by slaves.

There are many books on lawn care, as well as hundreds of magazine articles! We've moved into a new era, however. With guerilla gardening, and rooftop gardens, etc. we know the value of looking at lawns differently.

I've been leaving our front lawn alone in spots. The wild oregano has taken over, which hosts all sorts of critters!
monarch on wild oregano from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

What people are promoting is a laissez faire attitudes. I am up for that. Now, the bugs do hide in the grasses, but it doesn't truly keep the bugs away to trim a lawn to 3". I've let the weeds grow.

This is Oliver's Lot. They kept it cut, previous owners. I've let it go and the sumac has come back, as well as the milkweeds.


In spring, I love the dandelions and wildflowers.

These are two trees I transplanted, one a spruce and the other a serviceberry.

Aside from flowers for insects, milkweed for monarchs, the reptiles and amphibians love it, as well. We have leopard frogs sitting in the lawn, eating bugs. I spotted a ribbon snake, as well.


I bet it is difficult to see it in the above photo. The clover provides sanctuary.  Photo fail, archival photos show the ribbon snake much better!


You can see in the backyard how lush the grass can be, but with climate change, it's been too dry.

 In the backyard, I create a path. The ticks like the long grasses, so a path is a good way to do this.

I've let the pumpkins have their way in the backyard. Coincidentally, I found a milkweed tussock moth, which I'd not seen before! I shall have to revise my life cycle!

I'll bet people have a hard time with this. People seem to cultivate the pristeen, manicured lawns.  Perhaps it is time for change!