Spoiler Alert: it’s colonization!

In her article “The American Obsession with Lawns,” Krystal D’Costa explains that essentially the most grown crop in the USA are our lawns which is disappointing, to say the least, contemplating nobody (on a group stage) actually advantages from a fairly garden. That is particularly disheartening if you keep in mind simply how many individuals (54 million) in the USA are coping with meals insecurity. Wouldn’t it’s good if we may maintain the land whereas utilizing it to maintain our communities? Simply take a second to consider what number of low-income areas and meals deserts are surrounded by wealthier neighborhoods stuffed with lawns that don’t have anything however grass, flowerbeds, and bushes that don’t produce meals. 

A lot of our land in the USA is used strictly for aesthetic functions which is, inherently, elitist. In our tradition, having an ideal garden implies that you’ve got what everybody desires (or wants): cash. Everybody is aware of that in an effort to have a wonderfully manicured garden you both need to pay somebody to maintain up together with your garden or you’ve the cash, leisure time and bodily skill to do it your self. Think about this: why will we worth excellent lawns a lot once they don’t truly do something good for us? 

I perceive that questioning and critically desirous about cultural values isn’t at all times inspired in our society. Due to this we might go most of our lives with out asking essential questions like “Why is there grass in all places?” Perhaps you’re considering that may be a foolish factor to query as a result of grass simply grows naturally exterior, proper? However what if I informed you that grass is only a results of European settlers colonizing Indigenous land? It’s true: completely manicured lawns should not one thing that existed in North America earlier than European settlers got here to Turtle Island. Earlier than colonization, Indigenous folks lived in excellent concord with the land by respecting and sustaining Earth’s pure biodiversity in an effort to keep Earth’s ecosystems. Rich European settlers shortly ruined this concord by importing turf grass and different non-Native vegetation and wildlife in an try and recreate their European-style gardens and lawns from residence. These rich Europeans started to do away with giant quantities of the pure forests to have sufficient room for his or her lawns and farms. This led to their non-Native vegetation, specifically turfgrass, changing into the extraordinarily invasive and damaging plant species we all know immediately. Not solely was this damaging to the land however the upkeep of those lawns and farms required “intense human labour” that, after all, was not being executed by the European aristocrats. This could result in an ongoing tradition of marginalized, low-income folks (often of coloration) doing garden, backyard, and discipline work for rich (often white) folks in the USA. Consequently, our excellent lawns are largely simply  symbols of inequity, elitism, and colonization. And even when they weren’t blatantly classist and racist, they aren’t in any respect helpful to Earth and her biodiversity. 

I wouldn’t provide you with this data with out some strategies on what to do about it. The very first thing you need to do is a few analysis on biodiversity and the way Indigenous folks dwell in concord with Earth and why we should always begin taking note of what they’ve been saying. Afterall, regardless of making up solely 5% of the worldwide inhabitants, they’re actually single-handedly saving 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Listed below are some articles to get you began: 

“3 causes we should always all care about biodiversity”

“Indigenous Information Can Assist Clear up Biodiversity Disaster”

“How Indigenous Activists are Championing Nature-Based mostly Options to Local weather Change”

Subsequent, if you’re somebody who actually cares about your excellent garden, don’t be discouraged! Decolonization is an ongoing course of for thus many people. Listed below are some instruments to start to maneuver away from the necessity to have an ideal garden and transfer nearer to sustainable, anti-colonial garden practices:

“Gardening Recommendation from Indigenous Meals Growers”

“7 Concepts to Study As You Remodel Your Garden with Native Crops”

“Decolonize Conservation: Indigenous Persons are the Finest Conservationists”