Northern Light
Superstar
The globe and mail has a new article up on the subject of lawns.
Despite the title 'The Humble Garden Could be Under Threat" it actually takes an affirmative position that lawns aren't such a swell idea over all.
Lawns are normally a monoculture (one species of plant only); typically, Kentucky Blue Grass (not native to Ontario).
That's not a terrible thing, though it certainly stifles biodiversity.
But the fact they are typically mowed to a height of 5-8cm also means they don't get to flower and have their normal biological function and range.
They also generate a fair bit of pollution via use of lawn mowers, leaf blowers and synthetic fertilizers and can consume copious amounts of water during the summer, at material expense.
One relatively new fact brought out in this article, though not properly fleshed out, is that while lawns do reduce the urban heat island effect vs pavement; they don't do so nearly as much as diverse/tall vegetation be that meadow or forest.
Not surprising when you think about it, 5cm tall vegetation essentially leaves the ground unshaded, so full sun warms it up and dries it out.
Where as 3ft tall vegetation partially shades the ground and retains greater moisture; and fully-shaded ground in forests so to a greater degree.
Good article, do wish it had a little less jargon in it with respect to colonialism.
Its not inaccurate, but needlessly politicizes something that can be more effectively advanced without it.
Despite the title 'The Humble Garden Could be Under Threat" it actually takes an affirmative position that lawns aren't such a swell idea over all.
Is it time to decolonize your lawn?
The traditional lawn – manicured, verdant, under control – now finds itself at the confluence of two hot-button issues: climate change and Indigenous rights
www.theglobeandmail.com
Lawns are normally a monoculture (one species of plant only); typically, Kentucky Blue Grass (not native to Ontario).
That's not a terrible thing, though it certainly stifles biodiversity.
But the fact they are typically mowed to a height of 5-8cm also means they don't get to flower and have their normal biological function and range.
They also generate a fair bit of pollution via use of lawn mowers, leaf blowers and synthetic fertilizers and can consume copious amounts of water during the summer, at material expense.
One relatively new fact brought out in this article, though not properly fleshed out, is that while lawns do reduce the urban heat island effect vs pavement; they don't do so nearly as much as diverse/tall vegetation be that meadow or forest.
Not surprising when you think about it, 5cm tall vegetation essentially leaves the ground unshaded, so full sun warms it up and dries it out.
Where as 3ft tall vegetation partially shades the ground and retains greater moisture; and fully-shaded ground in forests so to a greater degree.
Good article, do wish it had a little less jargon in it with respect to colonialism.
Its not inaccurate, but needlessly politicizes something that can be more effectively advanced without it.