March is the time of year when homeowners and commercial property managers begin dreaming of lushly manicured green lawns lining streets, commons areas and backyards across the country. There’s no arguing that Americans love their lawns.
What is not commonly know is that grass is actually the largest irrigated crop in the United States, though humans cannot consume what is being cultivated. We leave that to our furry woodland friends.
In fact, a study published by the Journal for Environmental Management revealed that 40 million acres across the continental U.S. are covered with some kind of lawn.
But why do Americans love their lawns so much? Much of the credit can be attributed to the first President of the United States – George Washington.
In the 18th century, beautifully manicured green lawns were becoming the centerpiece of landscape designs in both France and England. Thomas Jefferson, who witnessed the magnificence firsthand in his travels, shared what he saw with Washington, who eventually hired an English landscape designer to mirror the design at Mount Vernon.
The idea of incorporating a green lawn on one’s property as part of the overall landscape design appealed to wealthier Americans after images of Washington’s Mount Vernon home began circulating across the country.
Soon, having a green lawn became a status symbol in the United States – and for some in our modern-day society it still possesses such exclusivity.
Lawns were indicative of success and one’s socio-economic place in society. They were a quintessential part of the “American Dream” of home ownership, with the extensive care required showing your overall wealth.
Additionally, a well-maintained green lawn was said to connect you with your neighborhood – showing you valued your home’s appearance not only for yourself but for the community as a whole.
Much like today, lawns back then required proper care and maintenance in order to remain green, healthy and lush during the growing season, not to mention manicured. Because of this, green lawns didn’t become common among the middle class until well after the Civil War when costs leveled off for the average American.
Americans love their lawns and have for countless generations from coast to coast. But what hasn’t changed is the need for proper lawn care for optimal growing all season long.
For more information on lawn care programs, contact SavATree today!
