The Mission

In the 1600’s Europeans began colonizing the America’s and brought with them grazing animals that proceeded to eat much of our native grasslands. In response, non native grasses were brought in to keep the grazing animals fed.

As time went on, lawns became a status symbol for the wealthy who didn’t need to grow crops. How do you flex your wealth? Grow something worthless on your highly valued land. In 1830 the first lawn mower was invented, by 1870s lawns became popular in newly developed suburban areas.

By the 1880s lawn care became not only a status symbol, but a sign of civic duty. In the 1880s the first sprinklers were invented, increasing the amount of water used to grow our lawns. Lawns quickly became a popular advertising tool. Lawns continued to grow in popularity and as a status symbol. A lush green lawn became a social status.

In the 1920’s golf became much more popular globally. The grasses that were being used were not tough enough to withstand the ware and tear of a golf club. New grasses were developed that were more resilient and easier to maintain. After World War II we see a giant increase in lawns with the growing suburbs due to interstate highway systems; as well as an increase in home ownership from incoming war vets.

To this day, lawns are a major point of pride (and headaches) for many American home owners. The problem with lawns is quite simple… they are terrible for the environment. We spend our time and money spraying pesticides and herbicides just to get a perfect green lawn. A lawn is the cultivation of a single crop that serves no distinct purpose for both the homeowner AND the local ecosystem. In the United States, grass is the number one irrigated plant. We use more water nationally on keeping our dumb grass green, than growing food that we can actually eat.

Lawns require bimonthly cutting and trimming, just so it can look… like a dumb lawn. Millions of dollars are spent ridding lawns of “weeds,” that actually would help the local ecosystem like clover and dandelions. It’s time that we as a community make major changes to what a “nice” yard looks like. Grow a local ground cover like clover that will help our local pollinators. Grow a garden with food for you and your family. If you’re going to be spending a few hours a month in your yard; why not get something beneficial out of it.

Lawns are dumb. Spread the word.