Why organizations convert lawns into gardens
Cutting costs and less upkeep are just a couple of reasons
December 21, 2021
By Charlotte Di Veto
By Charlotte Di Veto
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When you head into the office, you’re greeted by the perfectly manicured lawn: short grass, clean lines, and no weeds.
Why would you want to change the visual? Well, if you’re interested in saving money and improving your organization’s social and environmental impact, it’s time to ditch the lawn. Cutting down on lawn care can save an organization money, but are we sure we’re ready to leave the lawn behind? The dirt on lawns For many in North America, lawns are part of the idyllic image of homes and businesses. What we don’t see is how they affect us and our surrounding environment. It’s fair to say each lawn is different, but many don’t contain plants that are native to their region. Add in that common pesticides and herbicides bring carcinogens and hormone disruptors closer to our lives, and you’re looking at a space filled with nonnative plants and chemicals. Consider these
So, we love the look of green lawns, but if we want to consider alternatives, what options do we have? Two popular options are community gardens and “rewilding.” Gardening for social & environment benefits More and more, the public wants organizations to demonstrate social responsibility. Converting part of a lawn into a community garden is an easy way to show your commitment to the community. What do you get?
Building a garden Gardens can be large and complex, small and simple, or any where in between. It all depends on the scope of your project. You can find detailed resources here, but this list can help with your first steps. Getting started
The harvest So you’ve done it. You built a team, converted a swath of lawn, and now it’s time to take produce out of the garden. What can you do with it? Enjoy it! Your team probably wants some after putting the work in, but there will likely be more than even they can eat at once. (Thanks, zucchini plants!) Give it away! Local food banks will accept produce. This can be a great PR boost. Communities enjoy seeing local businesses being “green.” The takeaway From cost savings on lawn care to team building, turning a piece of lawn into a garden can offer a lot of benefits. Why you switch from lawn to garden is up to your organization. But making the leap will likely lead to happy employees and an increased standing in your community. You may also like: Vertical Divider
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Find What You Need
Fastenal.com can help you pick products to start your lawn conversion! Here are some quick picks! Litter Grabber Wood Handle Landscape Rake Wood Handle Garden Shovel Post Hole Digger Wheelbarrow Cowhide Gloves Cultivator Ergo Scratch Tool Low-Friction Hedge Shears Hand Saw Pruner Garden Tool Set Gardening Hoe Garden Hose Garden Hose Nozzle w/ Rear Trigger SPF 30 Lotion Sunscreen Find more literature on creating and maintaining a community garden below! USDA National Agricultural Library Community Gardening Resources Like what you're seeing here? Subscribe to the Blue Print for FREE and get the magazine sent right to your address. |
