Submitted 9 months ago by Oiconomia@feddit.de to science_memes@mander.xyz
https://feddit.de/pictrs/image/782dab7f-26f2-426c-ac17-c876ab7834f9.jpeg
“wasteland” is a bit strong. Non-native grass is not ideal, but we could do far worse. Good on you for improving your land. Let’s not force everyone to be perfect, as many will just give up.
I think the focus on perfection leads to poor mental models and outcomes.
You’re correct, but the north American concept of a “well kept yard” being two random trees and a bunch of freshly trimmed grass is absolutely horrendous. Beats an actual wasteland, but when most of your neighborhoods have rules that enforce this way of doing things it’s a lot of wasted potential and does bring ecological consequences.
Again, while not ideal, actually living backyards with several native species could act as a local metapopulation model, with sources and sinks across the different houses.
Some internet group just up and took issue with agriculture. I mean yeah we gotta improve our future and society, but I always go back to a simple sentiment. It’s only a relavant issue if it can show up in a video game. So basically the character mechanics we’re looking for is a -12 Agility score combined with a religous zeal for unteathering from technology while on life support.
I’m seeding an empty lot with native perennials but it’s pretty clear that two or three invasive species are beating them out.
But… Grass IS native?
Not unless you’re European. Bluegrass (despite having a species named after Kentucky), fescue, bermudagrass (which is an invasive species in Bermuda, BTW), etc. all come from Europe.
Kentucky was named the Bluegrass State because it was so invasive that when settlers came into the area, they found the whole state carpeted in it.
I’m European. Grass is everywhere and it just grows on its own.
Grass is a type of plant.
Actually some bamboo is native to the Americas.
But grass IS native! That’s the point. Be it bamboo or whatever.
Please, don’t forget about the local native grasses. Not every grass is evil grass!
This issue of wild growth lawns really has to dissolve down two points. Geography being one. Arid grassland terrain where, (guess what) grass grows would make ideal space for this experiment; but, the nightmarish undergrowth that natively springs forth from swampy or forested climes would need to be cultivated out anyways or else you would create blight. Vines can be rustic and cute, but they will swallow a house where I’m at whole. And my second point is the area that these people would seed with natural grass would need to be very large and spaced away from neighboring grass. Herb next door in your cul-de-sac doesn’t appreciate the encroachment on his turf.
I live in a small unit that had dusty ultra-compacted dirt around the house that was called a lawn. I broke the soil with a hoe, threw a few bags of soil mix down and planted some moss I harvested growing wild down the laneway. 2 years later the ground is mostly covered in a spongey moss. Give it a few more years it’ll be completely covered and thick.
It requires virtually no mowing and needs little water. Apparently growing moss is even good for air and ground water purification. Not sure how much purifying it’s doing but it’s good to know I’m doing my little part.
If you have a small yard, grow moss.
Ephera@lemmy.ml 9 months ago
???
Dagwood222@lemm.ee 9 months ago
Putting green lawns are boring.
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 9 months ago
So… there’s now a trend, at least in the city… of people putting out astroturf or… even cheaper… forms of fake grass. like. EWW.
Tiltinyall@beehaw.org 9 months ago
Sure, if you care about propagating the local fauna in an urban area you have many beautiful visitors. Rats and the native insects on their back. The feral street cat is next to populate this urban green space, oh and lets not forget the cockroach. Native to all densely populated towns, they can be placed on full display for the urbanites to appreciate the aesthetic that their host provides.