Have you ever wondered why Americans have such an obsession with their lawns? The obvious answer is because of the aesthetic qualities that a well maintained lawn can add to your home or business. Believe it or not, that beautiful lawn actually performs many other functions that can improve everyone’s quality of life.
What a well maintained, fertilized lawn does that's Eco-Friendly:
- Soil erosion- a dense healthy lawn uses it’s roots to hold your ground
- Dust prevention- thick lawns keep dust from entering the air and out of our lungs, homes, and waterways
- Heat dissipation- surfaces covered with natural vegetation can greatly reduce surface air temperatures
- Noise reduction- just like carpet in a home, healthy lawns can absorb noise
- Air pollution- CO2 is absorbed and filtered during active growing periods, and oxygen is released
- Nuisance animal reduction- mowing lawns on a regular basis will keep unwanted animals such away
- Low cost surface- compared to some other possible exterior surfaces, lawns are relatively inexpensive
- Physical/Mental Health- Lawns provide areas for recreation, sport, exercise, and relaxation.
- Safety- A dense lawn can act as a cushion during recreational activities, providing safe landing for little (and sometimes big) ones!
- Aesthetics- a well manicured lawn can enhance a landscape and curb appeal
- Increased property value- A well maintained lawn and landscape have been said to increase a properties value up to 15%!
- Compliments trees and shrubs- high quality lawn care will enhance the beauty of other landscape components such as trees, shrubs, and perennials
- Quality of life- when all of the above benefits are put together, the quality of life for homeowners, a neighborhood, and a community are all increased.
Keep these benefits in mind next time you think you are “just mowing the grass.” Our lawns are much more than “just grass.”
Author: Andrew Muntz received his Master’s of Science in Turfgrass science and his Bachelors of Science in Landscape Horticulture at The Ohio State University, Columbus OH.