There’s a movement afoot encouraging more sustainable landscapes, that is, yards that survive on homemade compost, natural pesticides and rain water. In other words, natural lawn.
Many of us already realize the benefits of a sustainable landscape (traditional fertilizers and pesticides can pollute our drinking water and harm our pets).
But truly embracing this idea that a landscape can thrive with minimal input and be more harmonious with nature involves letting go of some fundamental beliefs. In other words, we need to change our mindset, starting with our current concept of lawns.
- Nowhere in nature does a monoculture exist for any length of time. That is, you don’t need to fret obsessively over weeds. They are normal, natural and green!
- Another misconception is that all plants must be watered weekly, or they will die. The truth is plants must be watered in accordance with their needs and location. Sometimes occasional rainfall is all they need.
- Properly planted, well-established perennials require, at most, a good soaking twice a month in the absence of rainfall. Native trees require a good deal less. In fact, most native plants will simply go dormant and bounce back as soon as rains return.
Why not make this the year you go au naturel? A self-sustaining landscape is not only less work but more visually captivating, too. Let nature be your gardener. That sounds pretty healthy to me.
