How to change minds - one lawn at a time!

I have read so many concerns from gardeners here on permies, and all through mass media, about how the belief and mandate that every house in suburbia should be mostly a water guzzling, often chemical guzzling, time consuming, manicured lawn.

However, there's also good evidence and at least some research, suggesting that a poly culture of forbs and grasses, raised organically, are an environmental asset, rather than a detriment.

The trouble is, that many humans currently see them as an eyesore. I assure you, the bees, and dragonflies that visit my friend's backyard, wouldn't agree. Our insects are taking a massive hit world wide. Tall grass is very important ecosystem for urban insects and one man in a Canadian town in Mississauga successfully proved in court that he had a right to tall grass.

Read this CBC article about this man's success.


Feel free to post pictures of natural, managed lawns in your community.

There are several native grasses that do not grow very tall.  these grasses are perfect for urban and suburban homeowners who want a lawn that is not an eyesore depending on where folks live.

Blue Grama only grow 3 inches to 6 inches.  It is an excellant grass in sunny areas when combined with Buffalograss or Curly Mesquite.

Buffalograss aka bouteloua dactyloides is 5 inches to 8 inches.

Curly Mesquite aka hilaria belangeri is 4 inches to 10 inches.

Another benefit is that these grasses can be grown with very little rainfall.

Then there are seed mixes that include native flowers.

Giving the State of Illinois credit, a couple of decades ago they planted Prairie Grass at the interstate rest areas.  The Department of Transportation was flooded with complaints from travelers for letting weeds take over the rest areas.  IDOT dropped the project.

I wish I could change my landlords' mind, I'm hoping to take over as much of the yard as possible with raised beds and containers eventually so that the lawn person can't come over anymore  But that is a process, for now I'm stuck with grass and antiquated beliefs about dandylions.  Just moving one day and step at a time.

This article, to me, highlights the need to both educate and challenge the status quo.

There are times in my life where I am advised to do something because "That is how everyone else does it" but I have decided that isn't a good enough reason for me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes there is a VERY good reason for something to be done a particular way but other times there isn't.

Locally, I got to participate in a discussion on bylaws for chicken keeping inside the village I live in where a balance was struck between responsible chicken tending and the worry of nuisance. While not all localities take this approach, having open and honest discussions with all stakeholders proved that change can happen.

One of the huge challenges we face is that we live in an age where a homeowner will proudly spend $14000.00 for a new lawnmower.  

i was once 'admiring' a bowling green, grown on sandy soil. It's edge, nextt o the gutter, was giving way. To use a carpet analogy, the thin pile of foliage supported on a feeble weave of roots wasn't up to the job of holding an edge. The roots are so shallow.
A 'nicely' mown lawn in dry weather will show off the non-grass species nicely, as the grass fades to straw colour while the others stay green. The grass quits, the others hold the soil biodiversity together.
'Nicely' mown lawns also often suffer in winter, with moss taking over (it's still green, what's the fuss?).
Before the mower, the grass carpet was inspired by sheep/rabbit cropped grassland. But they're adorned with scabius and harebell!

Loving this thread!!  I have been watching the spread of pollinator/meadow lawns  grow, to my utter delight!  Here is a video, more than just wildflower lawns, by Andrew Millison.  He is amazing.  I know there are others just as amazing, I watch several of them as well.  But I would love to bring this idea to the city where I live. If we can get policy changed, people excited about it (saves them $$$ for one), and support Nature and our fellow species what a much better world we would live in!  --Tess