Freedom Lawns mentioned in Suburban Safari
by Hannah Holmes:
"The Freedom Lawn was invented, so to speak, by three
scholars at Yale's School of Forestry and Envrironmental Studies,
who argue the merits of weeds in Redesigning the
American Lawn. Their description fits my patchwork
lawn perfectly. who knew I was a trendsetter in landscape
design? Poking around the Internet, I find that the Freedom
Lawn is becoming more and more common. Lawn owners who lack
the necessary weeds to start a Freedom Lawn are ordering "eco-turf"
mixes of stuff like clovers, wild daisies, chamomile, yarrow,
rye, fescue, and baby blue eyes. Some mixes combine flowering
greens, while others feature herbs. Chamomile, one source
advertises, perfumes the air with the scent of pineapple whenever
you step on it. some mixes are meant to be mowed only once
a month.
"The Freedom Lawn is becoming a movement. In Milford,
Connecticut, residents now compete for an annual Freedom Lawn
prize. The Garden Club of America, citing cancer rates, pollution,
and water shortages, is promoting something called the New
American Lawn, which sounds exactly like a Freedom Lawn."
--from Urban Safari by Hannah Holmes
Here is a sneak preview of the 2008 freedom
lawn contest entries,
winners to be announced at the sept 24th green
soiree at stonebridge patio
