June 7, 2023, 9:23 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Will lawns disappear from many gardens in the future? Yes, according to the Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine. Instead, flower beds should be planted. The reason behind this: saving water.
Anyone with a lawn knows it should be watered regularly in the summer. Since there can be local water restrictions during the summer, the idea of completely forgoing a lawn and opting for more water-efficient alternatives arises. Will gardens have to do without lawns in the future?
Will there only be gardens without lawns in the future?
Water is a precious resource, and it should not be used wastefully. Gardener Lothar Mendl shared this sentiment in the HNA. He explains why many gardens will be without lawns in the future. A lawn needs to be watered daily on hot days, and the water doesn’t penetrate deeply enough into the soil, he explained. In his opinion, lawns will disappear from many gardens and be replaced. “Proper planting of areas also saves water,” he is further quoted.
myHOMEBOOK consulted Dr. Harald Nonn, chairman of the German Lawn Society. In his view, gardens without lawns won’t necessarily be the future. “Undoubtedly, lawns will continue to serve important functions for sports and recreation in private and public green spaces. They are a design element in most home gardens and thus form a versatile picture together with the garden’s components.”
However, he also explains that there needs to be a shift in thinking. “The increasing dry periods pose special challenges for the water supply of green spaces, but also for other vegetation such as trees. In the future, more drought-tolerant grasses and herbs will (have to) be used.” One possibility for this is special dry grass.
The topic of “water conservation” is correct and important, but Dr. Nonn already has a suggestion. “Does it have to be drinking water or groundwater? Other countries are already showing us by using other water sources such as reclaimed or gray water.” Therefore, gardens without lawns won’t necessarily be the norm, and according to Nonn, every garden owner should be allowed to decide on the garden’s design, “regardless of the sometimes dogmatic statements and discussions.”
Also interesting: Why the smell of freshly cut grass is actually a distress signal
myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering says:
The idea of water conservation is undoubtedly commendable. However, I can’t imagine that garden owners will forgo a lawn for this reason. Yes, plants are sensible, look pretty, and provide food and shelter for insects, but lawns also have their advantages. Where will children play if there are only flower beds in the garden? Where will I set up the party tent and beer benches for the next big celebration? Even if it’s hot in the summer and watering is officially banned, the lawn doesn’t have to look parched. There are grass seed mixes with a high clover content that remain green even with insufficient watering.