Trading in your lawn for a meadow could benefit wildlife, pollinators, and the environment
One landscape designer and author suggests letting all or part of your lawn grow into a wild meadow, and here’s why.
By: Tim Studebaker
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Spring is right around the corner. If you’re thinking about digging out the lawnmower and stocking up on fertilizer, Owen Wormser is hoping you’ll reconsider. He’s a landscape designer and author of the book “Lawns into Meadows.”
Wormser says, “It’s been many decades since certain people who are more ecologically focused have been pointing out that lawns are an ecological disaster, essentially. And, in the last 2 years or 3 years or so, there’s been some sort of sea change where that perspective is becoming more mainstream.”
He says lawns use a huge amount of resources like water, pesticides, and fertilizers, much of which will run off into local waterways and cause pollution. Plus, there’s all the fuel used to mow those lawns.
Wormser says, “The environment that lawns create ends up being the equivalent of sort of an ecological wasteland. There is some life in there, but it pales in comparison to what a meadow can offer.”
He suggests letting all or just part of your lawn grow wild, or consider planting native plants and flowers that will do well in our area and will provide a home and resources for wildlife and pollinators.
Wormser says, “A lot of times if people are new to this, I encourage them to do a really small area. Maybe do an area that’s not as prominent, maybe in your back yard instead of your front yard.”
He also suggests you make it look intentional, or put up signs so your neighbors understand what’s going on. His book even has tips for people who are restricted by the rules of a homeowners association or apartment complex.
To learn more about Wormser and his book, visit this website: https://www.owenwormser.net/about
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