Yard Wars

Hand, gas, or electric mowers?

PRESENTED BY WELLS FARGO

Axios AM

By Mike Allen · Apr 30, 2023

🌹 Happy Sunday! Smart Brevity™ count: 1,184 words ... 4½ mins. Edited by Donica Phifer.

1 big thing: Yard wars

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

The American lawn has become the latest front-line issue in neighborhoods across the country: Some are shelling out to maintain lush greens while others forgo mowing and chemical treatments.

• Why it matters: Environmental campaigns — "No Mow May," the "anti-lawn" movement, "Food Not Lawns" and "Climate Victory Gardens" — are gaining steam. But they're prompting homeowner associations and other traditionalists to dig in their heels, Axios' Jennifer A. Kingson reports.

The issue pits property values, aesthetics and "curb appeal" against concerns about drought, gas-powered mowers and biodiversity.

• Even among those who prize sustainability, there's debate over lawn care techniques — but agreement that too much mowing is bad for pollinators.

What's happening: As spring gardening season begins, homeowners are wrestling with personal decisions about how to tackle lawn care: To mow or not to mow? Irrigate? Fertilize?

• The "No Mow" and "Low Mow" campaigns aim to make yards more conducive to bees and butterflies — but you might face blowback from your neighbors if you try it out.

• Homeowner associations have been clamping down on residents who let their lawns go brown or wild, even taking people to court over the state of their yards.

At the same time, Democratic lawmakers are taking the lead in passing regulations that prod people toward "green" lawn care.

• California's landmark law banning the sale of new gas-powered mowers and leaf blowers takes effect next year. Other states and cities are following suit.

• Towns that adopt "No Mow May" agree not to issue citations to homeowners who let their grass grow long.

🕶️ What we're watching: The grass itself isn't the only battleground. "Yard sign wars" have flared up across the country over people using their turf for flamboyant political displays — which often linger far past the election they target

View in browse

r