Here in South Carolina, the all-too-familiar sounds of small engines become a regular occurrence starting in March.
That is when the area’s landscapers and lawn care companies come out of hibernation and begin the routine mowing, weed eating, and leaf blowing ritual.
In our neighborhood, my next-door neighbor is usually the first one to power up the riding mower. He tends to his manicured lawn with the same care and attention as the groundskeepers at the golf courses he frequents most days.
I’ll readily admit that our lawn pales in comparison to his lush, bright green lawn. Ours is more natural, with native plants and flowering “weeds” popping up as the season evolves.
When we lived in Indiana, our current lawn would be frowned upon, thanks to the HOA overseeing the homes in our suburban community.
That battle between HOAs and homeowners seeking a more natural and native landscape is examined in “The Cult of the American Lawn,” published by Noema magazine.
From the chemical fertilizers applied to non-native grasses to the impact of pollinators struggling to find native plants, the article is a multi-faceted look at the origins of the manicured lawn and how European settlers changed North America’s natural landscape.
I’ve never been ashamed of my lawn. We have squirrels, rabbits, birds, turtles, and occasional deer that visit our property to find food. That display of nature in our yard brings a smile to my face and lets me know that we are doing something right with our approach.
By Healthline Gate – https://www.healthlinegate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Healthline-Gate-Health-Wellness-Medical-Grass-Nature.jpg, CC0, Link
