I never thought I’d question my lawn.
Growing up in a small neighborhood, having a lawn was the status quo for every property. Not only is it a landscape staple, it is part of our lifestyles. When I think about some of my most cherished memories, the yard is often part of the setting.
I remember spending warm summer afternoons as a kid playing on the grass with my sibling. Or sitting on the front porch with my childhood dog, watching my mom or dad mow the lawn. The smell of freshly cut grass is without a doubt the fragrance of summer.
For many of us, a green lawn is part of that story, a small detail we’re emotionally attached to. But in the midst of a climate crisis, where we’re encouraged to make more environmentally conscious choices, I can’t help but wonder: are homeowners ready to rethink their lawns? Or is there a scenario where living side by side with nature is the new norm?
The world is already making small strides toward being more environmentally friendly, whether it’s reducing plastic waste through recycling systems or using public transit to limit our carbon footprint. Even in our industry, I see it in small gestures: adding pollinator plants to an existing garden bed or letting a corner of the yard grow naturally so bees can enjoy the flowering dandelions. It’s a start… but what’s holding us back from diving all in? Are we hesitant because it’s all we’ve ever known, or is there a deeper attachment to the nostalgic charm of traditional lawns? Or maybe the simple answer is it’s just an aesthetic preference.
Letting go of something that’s been a part of our homes and lifestyle for so long might be hard, but even in a changing world, who says we can’t establish new memories in a more organic environment? When I see the work of designers like Piet Oudolf and Tim Pilgrim, I feel an extreme connection to their gardens. An area that could be a neatly mowed, uniform green landscape is transformed into an unpredictable yet carefully curated garden, bursting with vibrant textures and colors.
I can picture it in my mind, waking up in the morning, stepping outside on the front porch with a cup of coffee, and enjoying the lively, ever-changing ecosystem just beyond my doorstep. Admiring the bees, birds, and butterflies. The landscape is a whimsical, evolving space filled with different colours and textures…the kind you find in nature. I would clip bundles of wildflowers to brighten my kitchen or dining room table. I would take slow walks through the natural landscape, soaking it all in. It feels simple… enjoyable… satisfying. And I could take mowing the lawn off my weekly chore list.
Beyond the personal joy and aesthetics, there’s something beneath the surface that’s much bigger… It’s the simple fact that a choice I made within the borders of my yard contributes to something beyond it. A landscape that benefits not just me, but the world around me, and the world after me.
Are we ready? Or maybe we should be asking ourselves this, what are we waiting for?
Maybe, all it takes is for the first domino to fall. When one person takes the leap to transform their yard into a robust, naturalized garden, it could send ripples through neighbourhoods and communities. If we saw it more frequently, people might feel more confident and inspired to follow suit. It’s far from the norm…but who’s to say we can’t be the pioneers of a new normal?