19amyjo61

Thank you for keeping on with the "grass does not always have to be greener" alliance. For almost 20 years I mowed an acre (though I never watered it -- even during drought times the grass will simply go dormant). What a waste of time, energy, and gas. We then bought 4 acres right across the street and now have prairie covering the entire expanse except for immediately around the house, which is landscaped perennials and patios. My brother-in-law, who bought our first acre, continues to mow -- sometimes twice per week -- and also now waters religiously and has a chemical spray contractor visit 3-4 times per year. He often comments to me, "your yard would look so great if you mowed this or that section." (And I comment in reply that he's doing more harm than good.) The reason for all this harmful, wasteful maintainance??? CURB APPEAL. Most people simply cannot fathom anything other than tracts of green grass surrounding their homes.
One other comment: I seem to remember in the late 1970s or early 1980s one of the big chemical companies (maybe Monsanto ??) claimed to be coming out with a grass that would end the need to mow. This grass was supposed to grow to a max height of 2 to 3 inches. I can only imagine that John Deere, Toro, and other mower manufacturers might have had something to do with putting an end to THAT.