Your Weedy Lawn Is A Good Thing
The next time your neighbors with the emerald green lawn cast a look down their noses at your less than perfect lawn, don't feel bad. The fact of the matter is that your weedy lawn is doing more for your garden, the environment, and your wallet than the supposedly "perfect" lawn your neighbor maintains.
Why Weeds in the Lawn Can Be Helpful
One of the major benefits of having a weedy lawn is that many weeds in your lawn attract butterflies and caterpillars. Common lawn weeds, such as plantain, dandelion, and clover are sources of food for the Buckeye butterfly, Baltimore butterfly, Eastern tailed blue butterfly, and a great many others. Allowing some of these common weeds to grow in your garden encourages butterflies to lay their eggs in your yard, which will result in more butterflies in your garden later on. Weeds also help to attract other beneficial bugs to your garden as well. Many good bugs like predatory wasps, praying mantis, ladybugs, and bees find food and shelter in the weeds in our yards. These "good" bugs will help to keep the "bad" bug population down in your garden as well as providing pollination to your plants. The more weeds you have in your lawn, the less money and time you will have to spend on battling back the bugs that can hurt your plants. Many weeds are also blessed with a natural insect repellant. Letting weeds in your lawn grow near your more weed free flower beds can help drive out even more "bad" bugs from your plants. Weeds can also help keep down erosion of topsoil on your property. If you live in an area that is prone to drought or live in an area that is unfortunate enough to experience a drought, the weeds in your lawn may very well be the only plants that survive. Long after your grass has died from the heat and lack of water, those weeds will still be there, holding down the precious topsoil that will be vital when the rain returns and you can replant the grass.
Weedy Lawns are Healthier
Beyond that, many of the chemicals we use to keep our lawns "healthy" and green are actually carcinogenic and very bad for the environment. Run-off from chemically treated lawns finds its way into sewer systems and then into water ways, causing pollution and killing many aquatic animals. Even before these chemicals make it to the water, they may cause harm to your local wildlife. While you may be able to keep your kids and pets off a chemically treated lawn, a wild animal or a neighbor's pet cannot read the sign that says your lawn has been chemically treated. So instead of cringing at the glares you get from your neighbors with over treated lawns when your lawn becomes polka-dotted with dandelions, smile politely and inform them that you are growing an environmentally-friendly, baby butterfly nursery.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Heather Rhoades founded Gardening Know How in 2007. She holds degrees from Cleveland State University and Northern Kentucky University. She is an avid gardener with a passion for community, and is a recipient of the Master Gardeners of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award.
-
Resilient Plants For Extreme Weather: Planting To Safeguard And Protect Against The Elements
Growing plants that can withstand bizarre weather patterns is becoming more of a worry these days. Try these resilient plants and plantings to boost levels of protection
By Susan Albert
-
8 Plants You Need To Winterize In Fall: Protect Perennials Now Or Risk Losing Them To Frost
Take action to protect these popular plant groups in the fall before temperatures plummet – and they will return healthy and strong in spring.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Sustainable Turf Species For A Greener Lawn
Click here for some of the most sustainable types of turf grass you can grow for an eco-friendly lawn.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
How To Grow A Sustainable Lawn
Adjust your thinking about a perfect green lawn and consider more sustainable methods. Click here to learn how.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Will Frost Kill Grass Seed And How To Help New Turf Survive
Learn how to help your newly sown grass survive frost and freezing weather.
By Amy Grant
-
Lawn Problems That Aren’t Really Problems
Your lawn may not require as much work as you think. Learn which common problems aren’t really problems.
By Teo Spengler
-
Why A Manual Push Mower Is Good For You And The Environment
Reel mowers are making a comeback, but why? Click here to learn about reel mower pros and cons.
By Amy Grant
-
Fertilize Grass In Fall For A Lush Lawn In Spring
For everything you need to know about fertilizing your lawn in the fall, click here.
By Susan Albert
-
Tips For Mowing Stripes In Lawn
Wouldn’t it be great to have stripes in your lawn like a sports field? Learn how here.
By Susan Albert
-
Late Summer Lawn Care Checklist
Plan to do some late summer care and maintenance of your lawn so it will be healthy and beautiful in the spring. Here are some tips.
By Laura Miller