Want a low-effort, eco-friendly yard? Think about creating a freedom lawn. But what is a freedom lawn, exactly? It’s a lawn that’s free of fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, and excessive irrigation to allow anything to grow.
It promotes biodiversity, natural beauty, minimal maintenance, chemical-free environments, less water use, and resilient landscapes.
What makes a freedom lawn natural?
A freedom lawn is a more eco-friendly, sustainable way to do lawn care. Unlike traditional turf lawns that require regular upkeep, freedom lawns feature a mix of native, versatile plants and grasses that are easy to care for and don’t require much water or chemicals that may harm the environment. Basically, whatever grows in your yard.
“The goal of a freedom lawn is to minimize the use of fossil energy and other scarce natural resources,” says Julia Ann Hammes of Kansas State University. “Naturalistic landscapes are shown to have a place in urban landscapes enhancing connection to nature, environmental education, and natural renewal along with the landscapes.”
Here’s what it means to have a freedom lawn:
Supports biodiversity
Freedom lawns support a variety of plants, including:
- Drought-tolerant turfgrasses: Tall fescue, Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, buffalograss, bermudagrass
- Native grasses: Little bluestem, big bluestem, Indian grass, weeping grass, switchgrass
- Wildflowers: Black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed, coneflower, red columbine, California poppy
- Groundcovers: Bishop’s hat, bugleweed, Japanese pachysandra, sweet woodruff, yellow archangel
- Beneficial weeds: Dandelion, chickweed, clover, violet, nettles
- Herbs: Thyme, basil, mint, oregano, sage
These species can adapt to the local climate and soil conditions and require less care to thrive. They also attract beneficial insects like pollinators, birds, and wildlife, contributing to a more balanced ecosystem. The best part is that they can pollinate your plants without dying from chemical herbicides or pesticides.
Provides natural beauty
If you like a natural-looking landscape, a freedom lawn can give you a variety of colors and textures throughout the year.
Traditional lawns generally look the same throughout the year with one type of grass, but a freedom lawn changes with the seasons. You might see wildflowers in spring, green, lush grasses in summer, and colorful blooms in fall.
Plus, you have more room for creativity in a freedom lawn. Depending on the plants you select, it can reflect your style, whether you like bold colors or softer green hues.
Needs minimal maintenance
Since a freedom lawn doesn’t have to look perfect, you can mow, water, dethatch, and aerate less frequently. In fact,you may not even have to do these tasks at all.
Plants and grasses in a freedom landscape grow at different rates and they often require little upkeep. They’re generally resilient and can withstand various weather conditions and external stressors.
In spring, wait to mow the lawn until after the plants have bloomed to support pollinators.
Promotes soil health
Different root types in a freedom lawn can keep the soil healthy, add organic matter, and encourage microbial activity.
Whereas deeper roots can break up compacted soil and increase airflow, shallow roots prevent topsoil erosion and runoff. When some of these plants die, they activate soil microbes that decompose organic matter and add nutrients to the soil.
Creates a chemical-free environment
Constant use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides can damage your soil, affect nutrient balance, reduce organic matter, and harm helpful soil organisms. Not to mention it can pose health risks to your family and pets.
Besides that, runoff from chemicals can pollute local waterways, causing algae growth, using up oxygen in the water, and harming fish and other aquatic life. They can stay in the environment and eventually harm humans, too.
With a freedom lawn, you can compost and mulch to feed the soil and improve its structure, creating a fertile space for your plants. Plus, you’ll attract (and not kill) beneficial insects and animals that target pests and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Needs less water
If you live in a drought-prone area, a freedom lawn can be very beneficial. As a landscape style, drought-tolerant landscaping often contains:
- Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grasses and native plants that absorb moisture efficiently, reduce soil erosion and runoff, and help conserve water.
- Drought-tolerant ground covers or low-growing plants that shade the soil and reduce evaporation.
Add compost and organic mulches to keep the soil healthy, aerated, and hydrated. Doing this can significantly reduce your lawn’s water needs and directly affect maintenance costs and effort.
Typical lawns need 1 to 1 ½ inches of water weekly, but freedom lawns need much less, depending on your local climate. Drought-tolerant and native plants often thrive on rainfall alone. During drought conditions, they may need some extra water, but not as much as regular lawns. You can expect to water once every 3 or 4 weeks, depending on the plant.
Create a more resilient landscape
In a freedom lawn, companion plants interact with and protect each other. This teamwork can help your lawn withstand diseases, pests, and other environmental stressors, making it more robust.
FAQ about freedom lawns
How long does it take to establish a freedom lawn?
It depends on your plant types, soil conditions, and local climate. It generally takes one to three growing seasons to fully establish a freedom lawn that looks good and brings benefits.
Will my freedom lawn look messy or wild?
Freedom lawns tend to look more natural than traditional grass lawns, but you can still make yours visually appealing. Use various plant colors and textures to create a beautiful landscape that doesn’t look too polished, and keep them as even as possible height-wise.
How do I prevent weeds from taking over my freedom lawn?
You can mulch, hand-weed, and select competitive plants for your freedom lawn. Many native species, ground covers, and fast-growing plants can crowd out unwanted weeds by cutting off their access to water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. This maintains a natural balance between the different plants in your lawn.
Consider an eco-friendly lawn
Whether you want to save time, cut costs, or protect the environment, a freedom lawn can be the practical way to do that.
But if starting this journey seems daunting, Lawn Love can connect you with a local lawn care professional for guidance – all so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Sources
- Main Photo Credit: Pexels
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