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February 21, 2013

Abandoning the American Lawn. ~ Liz Joseph

Good Neighbors: Abandoning the Green Lawn for the Green Life.

I saw on Huffington Post this morning that Richard Briers has died.

Who was he, you ask? He was a British actor who played in many a TV series and stage and screen.

A darned good one, too.

It was just the other day that I mentioned his show Good Neighbors (called The Good Life in the UK) to my nephew, the illustrious Waylon Lewis.

Why should this matter? It’s because Good Neighbors was about a couple of hipsters who tore up their suburban lawn to begin a small farm, much to the chagrin of their social climbing neighbors.

This show aired from 1975-1978. That is the point.

There has been a movement of late, neighborhood by neighborhood, town by town, to eradicate the lawn and allow the good, green earth to become what it should be—not a sponge for insecticides and petroleum fertilizers, but rather a growing source of life and good food.

This movement is nothing new, but it’s great!

In the 1980s, I knew a couple in New Jersey who did the same thing. They were constantly coming under fire by their neighbors, their town council, etc. In the end, they prevailed—last time I saw their front yard, it consisted of lettuce, tomatoes, squash, beans, a variety of herbs and many other tasty comestibles.

Think about it—there’s a history here. There is precedence.

Remove your lawn, safely dispose of your lawn fertilizer (call in a Hazmat team!) and turn your lawn into a safe haven for good, organic food. You’ll be aware of its source; you’ll know whose hands touched it. You’ll give your family something to be proud of—and they, in turn will be proud of your efforts and maybe even get involved themselves!

Concerned about backlash?

Start small, on just a portion of your lot. Talk to your neighbors about what you are doing and why. Get them involved. Talk to your local governing body. Don’t be afraid to show them some historic references.

(George Washington and Thomas Jefferson proudly grew produce on their lawns!)

Be a “good neighbor” and grow your own!

 

I have the distinction of being Waylon Lewis’ only aunt. Other than that, I have little function in life. I teach developmental reading at a community college. I knit. I love my cat. How aunty is that?

 

 

 

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Assistant Ed: Wendy Keslick/Ed: Bryonie Wise

(Source: growtest.org via Christine on Pinterest)

 

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