Did you know that lawns cover more than 40 million acres of land in the United States? This is an area larger than the state of Georgia, dominated by a single-use, high-maintenance monoculture. Traditional lawns, often composed of non-native grass species, are visually uniform but ecologically barren. They require constant mowing, watering, fertilization and pesticide application, but offer little or no benefit to pollinators, wildlife or the environment.
A lawn is the definition of a monoculture: a large area of a single type of plant grown to the exclusion of everything else. This lack of plant diversity creates an ecological desert, where pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds cannot find the food or shelter they need to survive. Worse, maintaining a lawn requires noisy gas-powered equipment like lawnmowers and clippers, which contribute to noise pollution and release carbon emissions that exacerbate climate change.
In contrast, a well-planned garden with native plants, meadow lawns or low-maintenance grasses offers a host of benefits. Native species adapt to the local climate and soil conditions, reducing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and supplemental irrigation. They support biodiversity by providing habitat and food for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife. Native grasses and plants also improve soil health and capture carbon more effectively than traditional lawns, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Replacing even a portion of your lawn with native plants can transform your yard into an ecological oasis while reducing the time, money and resources spent on maintenance. This collection of articles is your guide to making the switch, with personalized advice on selecting species for your specific region, zone and conditions. Whether you're interested in creating a vibrant meadow lawn, replacing grass with low-growing native ground covers, or simply downsizing your traditional lawn, here's ideas and inspiration to get you started.
It's time to reimagine your garden, not just as a space to enjoy, but as a vital part of a healthier and more sustainable planet.
Learn more about native plants and ground covers:
The best ground cover plants to attract pollinators
3 Native Boards You Should Grow
Replacing the lawn and designing a sustainable shelter
-
Mid-Atlantic Regional Reports
-
-
Pacific Northwest Regional Reports -
Mountain West Regional Reports -
Southeast Regional Reports -
-
Southwest Regional Reports -
Mid-Atlantic Regional Reports -
Northeast Regional Reports -
how to do itWhen you've outgrown your lawn, replace the unused lawn with massive mulch or a mix of low cultivators.
-
Mountain West Regional Reports -
-
