We're finally starting to thaw out here in Chicago. By the middle of the week, it's supposed to be in the 70s. Spring flowers are starting to come up everywhere and it has motivated us to work in the yard around the little red house. All of this yard work has me thinking about yards in general (and mine in specific). How should we approach our yard in keeping with Principles?
We're both lucky and a little cursed to have a pretty big yard at the little red house. We're lucky in the fact that we have a fair number of large shade trees and room to explore some ideas and designs for wildflower beds or vegetable gardens. The downside? A good-sized yard means a good-sized amount of effort keeping it up.
Like most American yards, ours is covered predominantly in grass. Many people think there's nothing more perfect in this world that miles and miles of perfectly green, manicured lawn. I actually can't stand it! Every time I see lots of green grass, all I can think is how unnatural it is--how much time, energy, money, chemicals and fossil fuels go into keeping it up. by comparison, lawn mowers belch more carbon emissions out than many cars. All of the chemicals that go on a lawn to keep it glowingly green and weed-free eventually find their way into our water supplies and then the oceans. So much precious, drinkable water it copiously dumped on our lawns annually in an effort to keep it quenched. It's an ironically "un-green" pursuit of a green-colored lawn.
It's time to start thinking different. It's time to change our values and our social perceptions of what a beautiful yard is. The American prairie was not meant to be covered in a carpet of endless green.
So what are the alternatives? Here are three principled ways to "PrairieMod-ify" your yard:
1. Think Natural — No matter where you live in the United States, there are native plants for that area. Consider landscaping your yard with beds and decorative mounds incorporating plants, trees and shrubs native to your locale. Why? For one, they are naturally best suited for your area, so it will take far less fertilizer and water to make them flourish. They will also help with attracting wild animals, insects and birds to your yard to feed on their seeds, berries and leaves. Plus, native plants and well kept landscaping will help with rain water absorption, avoiding the negative "run-off" effect into rivers and streams. Check out this link to the EPA's guide to native landscaping for more ideas.
2. Consider The Cost — The cost of food is going up. Every time we go to the grocery store, it seems like vegetables and fruits are constantly going up in price. Yet, your yard could potentially provide all the food your family needs. Many of our lawns sit on top of fertile soil, perfect for growing all sorts of edibles. It may seem odd, but planting crops in your yard can be a great for spending time outdoors, great for connecting with the earth and great on your checkbook, too. For more info, check out the book, Edible Estates by Fritz Haeg.
3. Go Green! — Ok, if you do love the look of a traditional lawn, then take heart...you can be Principled and still have your grass, too. Just consider taking some steps to lessen the negative impact of it. Check out this link to some great tips at GreenHomeGuide and get your plans together to make your lawn as "green" as possible.
A yard it a very special part of your home--it's really the extension of your home and should be as Principled in its consideration as the building that is joined to it. Take some time this spring to take a fresh look at your yard. You may be surprised at its potential!
Welcome to spring Chicago! Planting some of your own food is fun and very rewarding, not just in your finances either.
Posted by: naturehills | Apr 15, 2008 at 07:13 AM