previous
  • Make a Succulent Topiary
    Make a Succulent Topiary
  • Plants that Spark!
    Plants that Spark!
  • Elephant's Ears
    Elephant's Ears
  • Lawn Alternatives
    Lawn Alternatives
  • Dwarf Citrus Trees
    Dwarf Citrus Trees
  • Homegrown / Homemade
    Homegrown / Homemade
  • Containers as Focal Points
    Containers as Focal Points
  • Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
    Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
  • Thoughts From a Foreign Field
    Thoughts From a Foreign Field
  • Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
    Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
  • Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
    Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
  • Colorful Selections for Shade
    Colorful Selections for Shade
  • Save Money by Growing Your Own
    Save Money by Growing Your Own
  • In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
    In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
  • Stylish Shady Containers
    Stylish Shady Containers
  • Pretty in Pink
    Pretty in Pink
  • NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
    NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
  • Building a Compost Bin
    Building a Compost Bin
  • Fragrant Plants for Pathways
    Fragrant Plants for Pathways
  • Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
    Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
  • Comfortable Alfresco Dining
    Comfortable Alfresco Dining
  • Mulch for a Healthy Garden
    Mulch for a Healthy Garden
  • 6 Tips for Weed Control
    6 Tips for Weed Control
  • Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
    Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
  • Designing with Curved Terraces
    Designing with Curved Terraces
next

Rethinking the Suburban Lawn: National Coalition Launches New Website

comments (3) September 15th, 2009 in blogs
BillyGoodnick Billy Goodnick, contributor
34 users recommend
Click the image to enlarge.
Add CommentAdd Comment
PrintPrint

In Star Wars, Darth Vader sensed “a shift in The Force” when Luke Skywalker tapped his Jedi powers. I felt another shift today. A big piece of the sustainable landscaping puzzle fell into place. It takes the form of a new website I’m thrilled to be a part of.

After two months of long-distance scheming, the Lawn Reform Coalition (LRC), a new campaign to change the American Lawn, launched today.  The LRC has taken on the challenge of helping homeowners, government organizations and businesses achieve practical solutions to improve the environment by focusing on some of the inherent problems that lawns create.
  • We provide resources for redesigning, installing and caring for your earth-friendly landscape.
  • We emphasize the importance of protecting wetlands, creeks, ponds and beaches from the yucky stuff that silently flows from our pampered lawns.
  • We provide dozens, and with your help, thousands of images to get your creative juices flowing.

We’re well dispersed geographically: The arid-climate contingent tends to be at the far end of the tolerance-for-turf spectrum. I’m joined out here on the Left Coast by landscape designers Shirley Bovshow, and Susan Morrison, plus film producer/conservationist Tom Engelman.

Moving east, we have Less Lawn author Evelyn J. Hadden in Minneapolis and more eco-gardening communicators along the East Coast: documentary film-maker Paul Tukey in Maine, Tom Christopher in Connecticut, our fearless leader, Susan Harris of GardenRant.com fame in Maryland, and Ginny Stibolt in Florida. This unruly loose coalition includes entrenched lawn-removers as well as more moderate lawn-improvers, but anti-lawn or not, we're all pro-science, pro-what works—not an ideologue in the bunch.

What You’ll Find at the Lawn Reform Coalition

A website, of course, which links to people and organizations that concentrate on the environment and gardening, including Master Gardener and Extension Service websites.

Our Flickr group "Lawn Replacement" is the place for like-minded gardeners to contribute their photos to inspire homeowners and to help reporters write their stories about lawn reform.

A Facebook group what allows fans to brainstorm with lawn reformers everywhere.

A printable brochure, and coming soon, PowerPoint presentations to use in your community.

Will You Help?

When you finish reading this, visit LawnReform.org to find a wealth of information you can digest, then share with others. There are lots of ideas on how to form a (tell me he’s not going to use that word) “grassroots” (yep, he did it) effort in your community. 

As our Florida contributor, Ginny Stibolt, reminds us, the other man’s grass isn’t always greener.

The lawn rant continues here: I'm Beating Up On Lawns, Again

Add CommentAdd Comment PrintPrint
Back to List

Comments (3)

gardenbeet writes: I have just ripped out my useless lawn and replaced the area with granitic sand, a bin bar (holds my rubbish bins), plants and seating - now my front garden can be a functional space that has a meaningful role in my life and hopefully my neighbours - i will be serving coffee some mornings!! my mini piazza also comes complete with a clock - take a look
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=201740276515921&set=a.201739876515961.43924.100000398490179&type=1&theater Posted: 4:46 am on April 27th
BillyGoodnick writes: Beth: Me and my functional plant palette are at a 3000 mile disadvantage from here on the left coast. What I suggest is to start by looking at similar situation in your area and seeing what's successful for others. A 75' elevation drop over how much horizontal distance? Assuming it's pretty steep, it seems like a less-than-perfect place for a manicured lawn, anyway. You'd need Sherpas and a base camp to get the lawn mowed.

There are a few excellent botanical gardens and arboreta in your area with excellent resources for home gardeners -- I visited the J.C. Raulston Arboretum a few years ago and was impressed by all the information they have for gardeners. Also, my friend and very knowledgeable garden blogger, Helen Yoest writes her Garden With Confidence blog from Raleigh, NC, and might have some advice that can assist you. Here's her blog link: http://gardeningwithconfidence.com/.

Sorry I can't offer direct advice, but this might get you started. Thanks for reading my stuff. Posted: 7:48 pm on April 25th
bethbowerman writes: Wanting to replace a lot of grass, but keep the green look is problematic. We need something that is deer resistant; grows on non-peculating clay soil; is relatively inexpensive; and will be green. We're in Chapel Hill, NC on the side of a steep hill (75' drop from top of lot to bottom) with periods of drought and high heat. The biggest problem is the deer! Can you suggest plant material? I've read the list, but the deer love liarope. Posted: 7:44 am on April 25th
You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.