A Grass Roots Effort?
Sometimes I get emails that look interesting enough not to delete right away, but also not interesting enough to actually open and read. I might get around to reading them weeks later.
For example, at the beginning of August I got an email with the subject line: “Turf is Tops: Environmental benefits of a lawn”. It was sent to me by a PR firm working with an organization called Grass Seed USA, which describes itself as “a national coalition of grass seed farmers and academic turf specialists”.
I wondered if the creation of Grass Seed USA was a response to the growing popularity of lawn alternatives. If so, it would be a good sign. Not that Grass Seed USA looks like a slick, expensive operation. And it shouldn’t have to be, given the millions in advertising spent every year by the lawn care industry.
Then I read about the alleged environmental benefits of lawns. Did you know that lawns provide “a healthy link with nature”? The details of this link are not described, unfortunately. Which kind of leaves me in the dark, because the words “lawn” and “nature” don’t conjure up similar images in my own mind.
Apparently, grass also reduces our carbon footprint, providing “the same [carbon storing] benefit” as trees. This is a little like saying that a one man tent provides the same benefit (shelter) as a three bedroom house.
In practice, lawn turf roots tend to be shallow – not just compared to trees but compared to many ornamental plants (wild and cultivated). Here’s a chart that illustrates the difference, with the popular turf Kentucky Bluegrass at the far right.
Another environmental benefit is that “a thick lawn absorbs rainfall, virtually eliminating any runoff …” This may be true of test plots at research facilities, but it is certainly not true of the typical urban and suburban lawns which are usually grown on shallow topsoils. These lawns may absorb more rainfall than concrete, but not too much more.
And regarding thick lawns, a Minnesota study found that they tend to be saturated in phosphorous, and may be a bigger water quality problem than more meager turf.
Don’t get me wrong, I think lawns have their proper place in home and public landscapes. I just think there should be fewer acres covered in turfgrass. Part of what Grass Seed USA seems to be saying is that properly cared for lawns are more environmentally benign (for instance, the grass usually doesn’t need all that phosphorous).
This seems to be a valid point. Unfortunately, the marketing done by the lawn care industry tends to be focused more on moving product and less on sustainable practices.
gardeninacity 
I had to laugh at the picture of the homeowner mowing his grass. Is that in England (thatched roofs, etc)? It’s the sort of offering that you’d see from the land of my birth!
Agree 100% with your sentiments and cannot believe how many homeowners still pay for lawn care treatments.
It was from an English magazine, so you guessed right. Didn’t realize you were originally from the UK.
I totally agree too. We do happen to have large swaths of lawn –about half of our five acres. But we don’t do anything to it except mow it. Lots of “weeds” in there, with deep roots and seeds for birds. I especially love clover, and if I could, I’d replace all the grass with clover 🙂
Sounds more like a meadow than a lawn. Clover was not considered a weed until herbicides came along that killed all dicots – so the chemical companies set out to convince everyone that clover (a dicot) was undesirable.
Hmmm. There might be more than a few overly optimistic opinions in that email. I love my lawn, but would never claim it’s better for the environment than anything other than paving or astroturf… even though it does seem to provide a great environment for clover and dandelions.
A lawn with clover and dandelions is definitely more ecologically friendly.
Great pictures and food for thought! I do hope it is a sign that lawn alternatives are becoming so popular that they felt the need to promote lawns.
That’s what I am hoping, as well.
Funny that they sent this to you. I wonder how they got your email????
That’s a good question.
I saw an artificial lawn the other day that looked great! I have mixed feelings about grass lawns, but I do prefer walking on grass than other materials.
One good thing about clover in lawns: the wild rabbits tend to be drawn to it, instead of our flowers and veggies.
Yes, the rabbits love clover – but it always bounces back.
People will say anything to sell a product. Good to point out the mid info in this.
Agreed.
A terrific post and spot on! Love the guy with the mask–I’ve seen similar things.
If I had my way I’d have a meadow instead of a lawn that I’d mow once in the fall to keep the brush down. But that isn’t allowed here because those who love a green square of grass don’t like to see all those “weeds.”
More meadows and fewer lawns would be a nice thing.
So much bad science goes into anything recommending turf over other types of plantings. But it is better than concrete. That second picture is fabulous!
Yes, it’s better than concrete – and nicer to walk on.
The photo made me laugh. Some day owners must learn that treating lawns, as well as shrubs and flowers, with harmful chemicals is bad for man and the environment. I was at a lady’s house recently, helping her with some yard work. I did not see a single insect of any sort while I was there. The whole yard smelled of chemicals. There are environmentally responsible, organic products available for lawn and garden, though they often are hard to find. I have to order mine from the internet. Hopefully that will change.
It’s discouraging when I see shelves full of pesticides, but I do think there has been some progress.
Good one! LOL. We have some lawn, but large swathes of perennials, too (many are native). I’d rip out more lawn, too, if we weren’t planning to move within the next couple of years. It really makes sense. Great post!
Great post and I love the mowing man. There is nothing wrong with a lawn as long as you don’ t want chemically- induced perfection.
Good point, lawns are nice to walk on and play on. But as you say, they don’t have to be toxic monocultures.
Are those wonderful stripes your own?
Just tongue in cheek. For some gardeners here in the UK stripes are a big thing!
My own mower wanders in all directions but the chaotic markings disappear over 24 hours.
I actually think the absorption of water is a serious thing and often in small London town gardens converted to car parks with tarmac run off is a serious problem
The absorption of water is a big thing here as well. The typical lawn here is on compacted soil with shallow roots, and does a poor job of absorbing rainwater.
We got rid of our lawn during the drought, but now have gone back to a having a few little green patches around the garden; it is a joy to look at and walk on in the hot summer months. We’ve never used chemicals, and the lawns are just fine. However, we would not increase our little pieces of green indulgence because they do need lots of water…
I’m very fond of grassy paths, myself.
I see this as a last desperate gasp of a dying industry…am I overly optimistic?
You may be, but there’s nothing wrong with a little optimism.
Hello, I work at Denver Botanic Gardens and came across this blog and the image of the roots and grasses. I am wondering if we can have permission to use it, and if you have a digital copy you could send to us? And if not your image, who we might be able to reach out to? Thanks!
I picked that graphic up off the internet. If you don’t want to do the same, you might contact http://www.wildones.org/.
Thank you!