Why Lawn Care?
Most people recognize that their lawn helps beautify their neighborhood, adds curb appeal to their property, and provides a soft and safe playing surface for their children, but did you also know lawns are environmental heroes?
Healthy, properly maintained turf positively impacts the quality of our environment in ways that almost nothing else can. A dense turf area prevents soil erosion, cools and cleans the air, filters water, cushions falls to help prevent injury, and reduces noise pollution.
Benefits of a Healthy Lawn
Natural Water Filter – Turfgrass helps purify water that moves across it and through it into underground aquifers. Its root mass and soil microbes act as a filter to capture and break down many types of pollutants.
Filters Dust and Dirt — Turf grasses trap and filter dust, smog, and smoke particles. Lawns trap an estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the U.S. atmosphere.
Filters the Air — Lawns filter the air of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, rendering our air fit to breathe. According to NASA, lawns are a great carbon sink, absorbing an estimated 37 million pounds of carbon dioxide, effectively reducing climate change.
Generates Oxygen — A turf area just 50 feet by 50 feet can produce enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four.
Boost Property Values — A Gallup Survey reported 62% of all U.S. homeowners felt that investment in their lawn and landscape was as good as or better than other home improvements. Proper and well-maintained landscapes add 10-15% to a home’s value, according to buyers.
Reduces Run-Off — Healthy lawns reduce run-off, protecting our streams, rivers, and lakes. A healthy and dense lawn absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than a wheat field and four times better than a hay field.
Increases Soil Stability — With up to 90% of the weight of a grass plant in its roots, a healthy lawn makes for very efficient erosion protection from wind and rain, further protecting streams, rivers, and lakes.
Safety — Provides children and families with a softer, safer playing surface.
Reduces Noise Pollution — Makes our urban environments more relaxing.
Reduces Allergen Producing Weeds – According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 10-20% of Americans suffer from weed allergies. Thick, properly maintained lawns reduce weed growth.
Cooling Effect — The front lawn of an average residential property has the cooling effect of about 8 tons of air conditioning, while the average home-sized central air unit has only 3-4 ton capacity.
Healing — Grass and landscaped areas quickly affect people’s moods by creating feelings of serenity, privacy, thoughtfulness. or happiness. A lawn’s yearly life cycle of growth and color change can lift human spirits and link urban inhabitants with their countryside heritage.