Decolonize your lawn

A plea from our pollinators

It is spring in the northern hemisphere. Gorgeous wildflowers are blooming, vital pollinators are waking, and a large number of humans are obsessing about manicured lawns that offer nothing to Earth’s ecosystems. Carpet-like lawns are an invasive species¹ and serve no purpose except, maybe, to appease human neighbors at the cost of our wild neighbors. Non-native grasses require gallons of precious water, harsh chemicals, and constant mowing² that decapitates any wildflower who manages to survive. Why do humans do this?!

Photo by Rebekah Vos on Unsplash

A VERY BRIEF HISTORY

The modern ornamental lawn sprouted not from practicality, but from privilege. In 16th-century Europe, vast estates sprawling around grand castles became the playground for the wealthy elite. Removed from daily concerns of food production, these disconnected folks had the leisure and the resources to indulge in a new kind of landscape – the manicured lawn. Maintaining a lush green expanse was a time-consuming endeavor, requiring a staff to meticulously mow, tend, and shape the useless grass. This dedication to a decorative landscape, devoid of any practical purpose other than aesthetics, became a potent symbol of social status – a silent declaration of wealth and power, visible for all to envy.

Of course, the exploitative elite had to worry about enemies. And unlike dense, biodiverse forests that might conceal unwanted visitors, a clear and open lawn provided an uninterrupted view of potential threats.

Photo by Paul Arky on Unsplash

The lawn’s popularity spread when Europeans colonized the Americas. In other words, today’s suburban lawn is a vestige of colonization. Even most of the grass species found in U.S. lawns are European (which is why they take such effort and energy to feed and grow). So, please: decolonize your lawn; ditch its ecologically and culturally inept toxicity. There are other ways.

Instead of the bleak picture above, imagine the land teeming with life: native wildflowers buzzing with bumblebees, monarch butterflies flitting amongst milkweed, and hummingbirds sipping nectar from gorgeous daylilies instead of plastic bowls of sugar water.

Photo by Alena Ganzhela on Unsplash

Now, a plea from the pollinators:

Your meticulously maintained lawns, those expanses of uniform green, offer us nothing. We, the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and countless others, depend on a rich, colorful mosaic of native plants. We need a biodiverse landscape that is alive.

Remember the dandelions, those persistent "weeds" you fight so relentlessly? They're more than unwanted guests – they're beacons of life in meadows and concrete jungles. Their sunny faces and generous nectar fuel our early spring. But they fall victim to your war on weeds, leaving us hungry and struggling.

Photo by Neringa Normantaite on Unsplash

Here's our call to action: We aren't asking for much, just a small corner of your world reclaimed from the sterile grip of the lawn. Here's how you can help:

• Plant native wildflowers: Research who thrives in your area and create a haven for us.

• Embrace "weeds" like dandelions: They offer crucial early-season food.

• Ditch the chemicals: Pesticides harm us, harm you, and disrupt the ecosystem.

• Consider a "messy" garden: Leave some areas to bloom freely, providing shelter and nesting sites.

• Plant small fruit trees: They offer sustenance for both you and us.

These simple actions create beautiful oases that nourish us and you. In turn, we'll nourish your gardens and the very ecosystems upon which we all depend. This isn't just about our survival, but the survival of a web of life intricately connected.

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

This spring, we urge you to bring more beauty into your landscape. Choose to be a steward for our wild world. Together, we can turn lifeless lawns into vibrant ecosystems, ensuring our survival and the delicate balance of nature. ~ 🐝

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Additional Resources:

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: Their pollinator conservation program has great, practical information.

NRDC: National Resource Defense Council is a great org overall. Here is an article about No Mow May.

Pollinator Partnership: Lots of useful information. You can type in your zip code here and learn what native plants your local pollinators need.

Do you have helpful resources? Want to share the love for your local pollinators? If so, comment below and share this post on behalf of the bees. 🌻

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1 https://www.peanc.org/devastating-environmental-cost-traditional-lawns#:~:text=Invasive%20plants%20are%20non%2Dnative,that%20are%20invasive%20in%20nature.

2 https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html