The Great Lawn Debate

My Husband (with more than a hint of excited anticipation in his voice): "Why are you taking a picture of the mower - are you going to sell it?"

There are many things my husband and I agree on when it comes to reducing our ecological footprint. The lawn is not one of them. I think lawns are generally a waste of valuable gardening space and a major source of pollution. My husband wants a lush expanse of perfectly mowed green. I'll admit I enjoy lawns for lounging at the park and it is nice to have a little patch in the yard for the kids to play on. However, I will continue to chip away at the large swath of lawn that is our front yard until it is all converted to edibles and native plants - if I do it slowly enough, maybe my hubby won't notice.

Perhaps our biggest lawn disagreement centers on the lawn mower. The EPA estimates that roughly 800 million gallons of gas per year are used in lawn mowers, which account for roughly 5% of the nation's air pollution. Not to mention the approximately 17 million gallons of fuel that are spilled each year by people refueling their mowers. Basically, the pollution and fuel consumption of gas-powered lawn mowers is comparable to cars. With all the concern about air and water pollution, climate change, and oil drilling, is a nation of picture perfect lawns really worth this? I don't think so. So when it came time for us to buy our first lawn mower, I insisted on a good old fashioned push mower. No fuel needed. No air pollution or noise created. No need to buy gas or oil.

My husband hates it. Its true, it doesn't create a perfectly mowed lawn the way a gas-powered mower does. But I think the lawn looks just fine - neat and trimmed. I also realize that it takes a bit more effort to actually mow the lawn. But honestly, we all could use the exercise. Given my current advanced state of pregnancy and the hot weather, my husband is forced to be the one doing the mowing. But I'm happy to eventually take over the job if it means we can buy less gas and create less pollution. And maybe, just maybe, I can inspire a few of our neighbors to do the same.

ps. For some interesting reading on America's obsession with expansive, perfectly manicured lawns, check out "Second Nature" by Michael Pollan.