Here, the classic green lawn requires a lot of herbicides. Where I live, these herbicides are killing off night crawlers, bees, wasps, and I suspect others. The birds have left, but for some, that seems to be a small price to pay to have green lawns.
Brown should be the new green. In case one hasn’t noticed, there is an international shortage of fresh water. And an even greater shortage of potable water. This isn’t just because of climate change. It’s also due to increased population and increased usage. We have a heck of a lot more people in the world today and more people means more water needed for drinking, growing food, etc. More potable water. And we’ve invented new ways to use that water, for irrigation and to support our industries.
What does fresh water do when left on its own? It soaks into the soil or rests in glaciers and lakes and eventually runs downhill. When it reaches the bottom of the hill, it joins the ocean and becomes salt water — again.
To become fresh water again, it has to evaporate; and then, if it is to be useful for us, it has to fall as precipitation over land. Sounds simple, but since we can’t control where or when it lands, all we can do is hope that it ends up falling gently on our crops and lawns - at the right times of year- and into mountains lakes, streams and rivers so we can eventually pipe it into our reservoirs and buildings [where we check to make sure it is potable].
The amount of water on our planet is fixed and over 97% is saline. That leaves just about 3% to keep all land dwellers alive [plants, people and other animals]. And 2/3rds of that is in glaciers and inaccessible ground waters. We have many, many more people and uses today than anytime in the past. So, that tiny percentage of available fresh water has to stretch a lot further. Or we have to encourage more rain to fall.
I live in the Colorado River Basin. Since 1922, when the famous Colorado Rive Compact was signed, the populations of the 7 states sharing the river water has increased over 800%, from 7.5 million people to almost 61 million. About 75% of that water is used for irrigation. One small example of what is happening all over the world.
My father would carry a hoe whenever we walked on his ten-acre pasture. It does not take long for weeds to overtake the more nutritious grasses planted for the cattle.
Zykoic about 2 months ago
Dandelions are more useful than grass. You can eat the tender greens and use the flowers to make wine. Good food for rabbits too.
juicebruce about 2 months ago
A Green Lawn works for me ;-)
bobpickett1 about 2 months ago
10 years ago
Gent about 2 months ago
Yes of course we is loves greenery.
A# 466 about 2 months ago
As long as it’s green — and it’s not poison ivy — it’s OK by me.
VICTOR PROULX about 2 months ago
Here, the classic green lawn requires a lot of herbicides. Where I live, these herbicides are killing off night crawlers, bees, wasps, and I suspect others. The birds have left, but for some, that seems to be a small price to pay to have green lawns.
Ichabod Ferguson about 2 months ago
Try telling that to my HOA.
g04922 about 2 months ago
Many weed are edible…
GreenT267 about 2 months ago
Brown should be the new green. In case one hasn’t noticed, there is an international shortage of fresh water. And an even greater shortage of potable water. This isn’t just because of climate change. It’s also due to increased population and increased usage. We have a heck of a lot more people in the world today and more people means more water needed for drinking, growing food, etc. More potable water. And we’ve invented new ways to use that water, for irrigation and to support our industries.
What does fresh water do when left on its own? It soaks into the soil or rests in glaciers and lakes and eventually runs downhill. When it reaches the bottom of the hill, it joins the ocean and becomes salt water — again.
To become fresh water again, it has to evaporate; and then, if it is to be useful for us, it has to fall as precipitation over land. Sounds simple, but since we can’t control where or when it lands, all we can do is hope that it ends up falling gently on our crops and lawns - at the right times of year- and into mountains lakes, streams and rivers so we can eventually pipe it into our reservoirs and buildings [where we check to make sure it is potable].
The amount of water on our planet is fixed and over 97% is saline. That leaves just about 3% to keep all land dwellers alive [plants, people and other animals]. And 2/3rds of that is in glaciers and inaccessible ground waters. We have many, many more people and uses today than anytime in the past. So, that tiny percentage of available fresh water has to stretch a lot further. Or we have to encourage more rain to fall.
I live in the Colorado River Basin. Since 1922, when the famous Colorado Rive Compact was signed, the populations of the 7 states sharing the river water has increased over 800%, from 7.5 million people to almost 61 million. About 75% of that water is used for irrigation. One small example of what is happening all over the world.
Let’s make brown the new green.
ladykat about 2 months ago
Green is good.
foxmike6513 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Yeah—-my Dad used to say that.
KC135E/R BOOMER about 2 months ago
If were not crabgrass my lawn would I erode away. It is the only thing holding our hill together.
KEA about 2 months ago
didn’t take me that long actually. A mentor of mine (former Physics teacher) had the position that if it was green he mowed it. Works for me.
Teto85 Premium Member about 2 months ago
If it weren’t for the fruit, many berry plants would be considered weeds.
anomalous4 about 2 months ago
That always worked for me!
Strawberry King about 2 months ago
Yeah, it’s not like it has crab claws.
mistercatworks about 2 months ago
My father would carry a hoe whenever we walked on his ten-acre pasture. It does not take long for weeds to overtake the more nutritious grasses planted for the cattle.
wildlandwaters about 2 months ago
that’s me for sure… I don’t water, only hafta mow a few times in the spring, and then a time or two more over the drainfield!
eddi-TBH about 2 months ago
It breaks up the monotony of the lawn. Who thought all that grass was a good idea anyway?
hubbard3188 about 2 months ago
AND it’s tough and durable, even in dry weather.