Should you consider replacing your lawn with a native plants garden?

The large green immaculate lawn is part of the American dream, along with a picket fence, two kids, and a lab. It is a sign of economic and social success that suggests respectability. Where did the "perfect lawn" dream come from? Deep roots The American dream of a house with a big lawn is rooted in the 17th century, when the European aristocracy created vast, manicured grass lawns as status symbols. These vast expanses of greenery signaled wealth, indicating the landowner could afford to waste space on non-agricultural use. In the 19th century, American landscapers imported the trend from Europe, and it gained popularity following WWII, when mass suburban neighborhoods were designed for the returning veterans. A neat, weed free, mowed lawn became a potent visual symbol of domestic stability, citizenship, and the middle class. The American dream of a house, a picket fence, and a lawn is so deeply rooted in our minds that most people don't question it, but if you travel to Europe, you meet different ideas of urban gardens. One idea to consider is the native plants garden. What is a native plant garden? Native plants are the plants that grew in our region before the arrival of white men and women, before buildings and man-made gardens. These plants are naturally accustomed to the weather and soil in our area, which means they will thrive without needing too much effort to protect them from the elements of the New Hampshire cold winter, windy spring and fall, or the heat of summer. When humans changed the landscape by building houses and shopping malls or by paving roads and parking lots, they covered land that had once been forests and meadows, disrupting the networks of plants and animals. Native plants connect your garden to an ecology of beings. The roots of plants connect underground with fungi and bacteria, forming a network that promotes vitality and fertility. Animals from caterpillars and butterflies to bees, birds, snakes, and squirrels can find shelter and food. Why do you want to consider a native plant garden? A native plant garden not only benefits the environment but can also benefit you. Here is why. Low maintenance: Once you establish your native plants garden, these plants require very minimal maintenance. No more Saturday morning walking or driving your lawnmower back and forth, now you can just sit with your cup of coffee and enjoy the beauty of your garden. Beauty: Native plants are beautiful. Many of them produce a variety of leaves in different shapes and colors and an abundance of colorful flowers. Some even change color as the seasons progress from spring to fall. Health promoting garden: What is healthy for the Earth's plants and animals is healthy for you, your kids, and your pets. Native plants are less prone to pests, so they do not require pest control, which means far fewer toxic chemicals that can enter our ecosystems and waterways. When was the last time you read the label on the fertilizers you spread on your lawn so it is perfectly green? Water conservation: Native plants are adapted to living on rainwater alone. There is no need to water them; they will survive a drought because they evolved through many droughts. Plants you buy in a nursery are mostly hybrids created by men and have no history of surviving in challenging weather conditions or in the local ecosystem. A sense of home: A native plant garden connects you to land, story, and history. This is how we tie our destiny to the land and establish a homeland. Sounds like big words, but stewarding a native plant garden allows you the gift of being part of the land's story rather than being just its owner. How to start If you read so far, nod your head in agreement, but then say to yourself, "this is too much" and "how do I really start?" Let me reassure you: you don't have to do everything at once. You might decide to go DIY or might hire a landscaper who specializes in creating native plant gardens. There are a lot of factors to consider when creating a native plant garden; the quality of light and soil, the humidity of the ground, and the heights and colors of different plants. I suggest that even if you decide to go DIY, talk to people who know a thing or two about establishing a native plant garden. Start small — choose a small corner of the garden to transform from grass to native. Cover the grass with black tarp to kill the grass for the remainder of the summer. Meanwhile, do your research. A couple resources The NH Audubon Society has a webpage dedicated to native plant gardens. You can find their suggestions for plants that support the full cycle of pollinators from early spring to fall. The xerces society has a pdf download list of Native Plants For Pollinators And Beneficial Insects: Northeast Region. Fasset Farm is a native plant nursery that has a wide variety of native plants. It is a good place to also ask questions and get some advice.