Helping other things flourish is an embedded human trait , and all kinds of good things happen when you put this into practice .”
from the EDITOR
TG Toby Gorman
Every Saturday morning in my neighbourhood the cacophony of small engines start up like clockwork . Weed whippers , lawn mowers , hedge trimmers , all revving away to their Sisyphean weekend tasks of keeping lawns looking neat , tidy , and uniform . At a recent street party on my block , the busy family a few doors down had let their lawn maintenance slip for a couple of weeks . It was duly noted by the neighbours . I winced . To me , their lawn was a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers , a few purple thistles , and other attractions for pollinators . It looked a lot more productive than those sterile green squares of grass . I ’ ve never really understood the whole immaculate lawn thing . It seems like a total waste of time . Work all week , cut the lawn all weekend ? No thanks . Fortunately , people are starting to realise that this space can be used much more effectively . By growing food gardens where lawns once were , people are not only becoming more connected to their food , but to each other .
Got some surplus zucchini ? Go knock on the neighbour ’ s door to see if they want any . Maybe pickle those extra peppers and distribute them to those people on the street you see but never talk to . Another trend on the rise is creating beautiful living spaces instead of a lawn . Planting sunflowers , hyacinth , begonias , and other easy-to-grow flowers not only add a burst of colour to your yard , but actually improve your mental health . Helping other things flourish is an embedded human trait , and all kinds of good things happen when you put this into practice . It seems that for the last 50 years we ’ ve been avoiding our neighbours . Drive home from work , click the garage door opener , and disappear into your cave only to emerge with a lawn mower whining away . It ’ s all a bit anti-social . If there is one thing COVID-19 has taught us it ’ s that we need each other . Critiquing lawns isn ’ t the solution , but creating beautiful , productive gardens that make you feel good and create conversation just might do the trick .
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