LJN Blog Posts

I recently read a thought-provoking article which questioned the sustainable credentials of the garden lawn. Whilst I applaud the principle of always looking for new and better ways to maintain our gardens using fewer resources and toxic chemicals, I really worry about the distortion that such articles give to the topic.
Believe me, lawncare IS a complete specialist topic in itself. Therefore it is absolutely essential that any advice given to gardeners by media presenters, landscapers and other horticulturalists must be balanced by solid facts from those with real expertise in the subject. And lets’ start by tackling the bias of information we’re routinely given (or not given) about grass and lawns.
From TV programmes through to events like Chelsea, mere lip service is paid to the subject of lawncare. At best we are told what to do by someone with fantastic knowledge of perennials or vegetables or water-features but only a passing acquaintance with professional lawns; at worst we witness lawns being dug up to be replaced by environmentally-unfriendly concrete or paved areas for reasons unknown (certainly not aesthetic!). And somewhere in the middle we watch the hasty installation of some turf, soon forgotten once laid and destined to die from neglect. Where is the informed, unbiased advice?
Let me state this categorically - the healthy lawn is green in both ways that matter. Indeed, as my book (coming out later this year) will explain, a healthy lawn actually enhances the biodiversity and green credentials of the average garden. What I feel misinforms the non-expert critics of the lawn is an obsession with an out-dated concept - the ‘perfect lawn’. They conjure up an image of water-intensive features, greedy for fertilisers and pesticides. Well, here’s some news - the ‘perfect lawn’ is nothing like that; the perfect lawn is simply the ideal area of grass for YOUR intended purpose - and that purpose can certainly include green or even organic LAWNCARE!
Ah, I hear you say, but what about pesticides and other chemicals?
OK, let’s take a balanced look by popping into your local garden-centre. Add up the modest number of different pesticides you’re encouraged to buy for your lawn - then compare this with the massive array of pesticides alongside the fungicides, ‘pathclear’ and so on that you’re expected to use in the rest of your garden. It all starts to make sense now, doesn’t it?
OK, don’t leave the garden-centre just yet; take a wider look around - at the huge quantities of MATERIALS ready for creating hard, water-hostile landscapes; at the many wonderful plant varieties that still have polymer-coated fertilisers in their compost; and at the millions of plastic pots that all these plants come in.
So, it is fine - and indeed inspirational - to preach green and sustainable gardening - and we should all keep this firmly in mind when making our gardening decisions. But please remember this; lawncare has quietly but confidently been developing its green credentials for decades. I am a lawn expert so my lawn HAS to look good. Yet it receives just four organic feeds each year and, only if necessary, spot-treatment using herbicides (less than one full egg-cup!). Even the mowing is green - the lawn absorbs up to four times more carbon than the mower produces!
If you want a lawn in your garden you don’t have to take a guilt-trip. Lawns ARE and can be, green.