Published Date 5/9/2024
The manicured lawn. Golf green. Americans have obsessed with traditional grass for decade upon decade and finally — finally? Lawns have fallen out of favor.
Realtor.com’s Geraldine Campbell says, “Not only is lawn maintenance costly, but it also comes with an environmental toll that an increasing number of homeowners aren’t comfortable with.” She adds that the biggest culprits are excessive water use (nearly 9 billion gallons a day are used for landscape irrigation, according to the EPA) and a significant carbon cost from gas-powered mowers and leaf-blowers are a turn-off for existing homeowners and prospective buyers.
An alternative to lawns? One is to create a rain garden. A recessed area planted with native plants, rain gardens are relatively low maintenance options that increase rain runoff retention, promote wildlife, and discourage mosquitos. It doesn’t get much better than that. “The trickiest part about creating a rain garden—is figuring out where to put it,” says Campbell. “Ideally, you want it to be at least 10 feet from the foundation of your house and 25 feet from your septic systems, and avoid areas that get too swampy.”
Another is to plan an edible garden — another eco-friendly option for your front or back yard. “On the plus side, they’re relatively affordable to install; on the other hand, they require quite a bit of work to keep them going—and a neglected garden can easily become an eyesore,” says Campbell. “Still, if you have a green thumb, enjoy spending time outside, and enjoy fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs, it’s a no-brainer.”
Can’t rid yourself of the love of green lawns? There is always turf, or faux grass. “Synthetic lawns have come a long way since Astroturf,” says Campbell. “These days, you can find options that look shockingly real (and always just-mowed). They aren’t necessarily better for the environment—but they can be a step in the right direction if you choose faux grass that’s made from sustainable materials (instead of plastic and rubber).” A caveat: this is a hefty investment.
If you’re not allergic to bees, consider clover. Once considered a landscape nuisance, clover is now a desirable substitute for traditional turf. “This hardy ground cover is resistant to drought, disease, and pests, requiring little maintenance,” says Campbell. “It also encourages pollinators (including bees), improves soil health, and stays green even when it’s hot out. If you’re not ready to go all-in, you can try using clover in certain areas of your lawn.”
And last but not least, you can shrink the lawn surface in favor of hardscape — patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, breezy living rooms and paved pathways. No mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Just sit back and enjoy that cigar on a warm summer night.
Realtor, TBWS
All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.
First
Priority Home Loans is a DBA of Anchor Funding, Inc. NMLS #236419 &
1626581. California
Bureau of Real Estate,
Real
Estate Broker Number 01276087. Loans made or arranged pursuant
to the
California Department of Business Oversight. California Finance Lenders Law
license number 603 L293.
NMLS: 220937
First Priority Home Loans
891 Kuhn Drive #204, Chula Vista CA
Company NMLS: 236419
Office: 619-323-2066
Cell: 619-208-6499
Email: andrefunds4u@sbcglobal.net
NMLS: 220937
Cell: 619-208-6499
10/31/2024
“FOR RENT”... reads a sign in the window of a house. But there is much more...... view more
10/31/2024
The October Challenger Job Cuts fell from 73K down to 56K. Initial Weekly Jobles... view more
10/30/2024
Yesterday September JOLTS job openings fell 400K from August, the lowest opening... view more
10/29/2024
Want to renovate your kitchen? Be prepared for some eye-popping numbers. Accordi... view more
10/28/2024
When northern California homeowner...... view more
10/28/2024
These are the three areas that have the greatest ability to impact rates this we... view more
10/25/2024
Did you know that in Scotland, a house with a red door signifies the owner has p... view more
10/24/2024
When we speak of home, we speak of shelter. And there is no single element that ... view more