Affluence/guys and grass

You know, I remember reading years ago that our love affair with large
lawns come from Victorian times -- when manpower was cheap and
plentiful.  Those who were affluent enough to have a beautiful lawn
always had servants caring for it.  It was a status symbol since most
farmyards were dirt...

I have a friend whose husband won't let her take up any more grass for
flower beds because he likes the "instant gratification" of mowing it
and seeing it tidy.  I say: go wash the dishes -- you will have the same
feeling. :-P

-----Original Message-----
From: ECPep@aol.com [E*@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 9:40 AM
To: perennials@hort.net
Subject: Re: If you could get rid of your grass...


In a message dated 1/28/02 11:31:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
nsterman@plantsoup.com writes:

<< Following up the discusion about mowing by headlamp -- I wonder -- if

 you could get rid of your grass, what would you replace it wtih?  And 
 if you could use something else for a green carpet in place of grass, 
 what would you use? >>

I have just returned from a trip to Sout America and saw almost no grass

surrounding any houses except wealthy homes where someone other than the

owner kept the grass.  I saw parts of half a continent and grass is not
a 
priority.

The UK, the instigator of all this grass uses small patches in private 
gardens.  Mostly the grass is used to enhance or frame the beds or to
place a 
few chairs and a table.  Often the patch or strip is perfect but it is
just a 
patch or strip.

These comments are not directed toward golf course (some are sand
courses 
which is more sensible in low rainfall areas) or public areas such as
parks.

We have mixed beds surrounding the house and adjacent to a barn.
Overtime 
they have eaten up the grass near the house.

A digression:  When you get older you are far less likely to lay out
grand 
spaces, you will become more thrifty with your time in the garden.

I think a few feet of grass strip (remember all need some sort of
edging) 
framing beds is OK and keeping the fields from coming up to the door is
good. 
 Beyond that hills and vales of grass are just work and are an
ecological 
disaster as well.  I would like in the best possible world of my garden,

paths with plants of all sizes and groups and small drifts all served by

those paths.  Here there a small stone plaza for chair or bench.

Someone here who owns an armada of grass cutting machines and commands
the 
fields and lawn has still not given up on being lord of the parkland.  

I am working on this.  One does not need grass cut, fertizlized, weeded,

water greedy, and sitting out there sending guilt through the windows as
it 
grows and grows and grows.  I do not think we do anything to our grass
and 
like the bad penny, it returns on a regular basis needing constant care
with 
the machines.

If low planted areas are wanted the ground cover list is long and fits
every 
climate in the US.  

For those still in love with grass I will wager that that person is male
or 
is still young and has energy to spare.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4



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