The staple crop of the US is not wheat or corn, but rather, carefully tended lawn grass. Ranging from the meticulously maintained gardens of Versailles to the perfectly manicured lawns of suburban America, why has a well-manicured lawn become a hallmark of our cultural identity?
A lawn can be a tranquil retreat, our personal little haven amidst urban surroundings. However, within the realm of history, lawns have often embodied the ideals of tidiness and affluence.
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The French landscape architect, Le Notre, perceived the gardens, which featured precise lawns, as a form of political statement. It served as a means for the king to convey the message that the kingdom was stable and under his command.
A natural, grassy walkway, in effect a “green carpet,” connected the palace with the surrounding gardens.
The lawn was no longer a practical space for leisure, recreation or herbage, but rather a luxurious display meant to exhibit wealth and dominance.
Studying a typical meadow under closer inspection, as explained by Ian Thompson, a retired landscape architect who taught at Newcastle University in the UK, reveals the presence of a diverse array of accompanying flora, including but not limited to, daisies, violets, clover, and strawberries.
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But the lawns of Versailles are a pristine and uniform grass cover that has asserted its dominance over the flowers and weeds. These lush expanses of grass demonstrate mastery over the untamed forces of nature, a wilderness that can be unforgiving and treacherous.
During the 17th century in Europe, ideas regarding human connection with nature underwent a significant transformation. René Descartes, a French philosopher, posited that the human body, emblematic of nature, is inherently tumultuous and distinctly independent from the more refined and logical aspect of the human being, represented by the mind.
The lawn stands as a metaphor for the rational part of the mind taking control of the uncontrollable body’s natural instincts. This notion has remained a timeless concept for centuries.
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This exquisite countryside landscape was subsequently adopted by French Queen Marie Antoinette, who envisioned a miniature English garden within her palace.
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In the mid-20th century, the suburban lawn became a cornerstone of the American dream, symbolizing leisure, prosperity, and suburban life. However, not much research exists on the aftermath of this once-prominent cultural icon’s heyday and its subsequent downfall. This oversight appears to be a precipitous decline in the sentience evoked by each region’s tendency toward standardization, with some material preferences elevated over others, a prospect which somewhat ironic occurrence juxtaposes man’s ardent pursuit of the suburban utopia with the recursive futility surrounding each resulting renovation project.
Similarly, in America, the English garden prevailed, as opposed to the crown.
President George Washington initiated a bowling green and deer park project at his extensive Mount Vernon estate and plantation. It is reported that he sourced English grass seed for the endeavour.
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence, was also known for his creation of a lawn at his residence, known as “the lawn”.
Over a couple of decades ago, home grounds maintenance was highly popular, with the first horse-drawn mower patented as far back as 1830.
Initially kept in the backyards, these immaculately manicured lawns were later showcased proudly on the front entrances of many US residences.
In a similar fashion to the extravagant gardens of French aristocrats and English landed gentry of yesteryear, the American front yard evolved by the 20th century into a type of presentation space, epitomising one’s command over nature.
The space required to be kept uncluttered and perfectly maintained.
Jenny Price, a writer and environmental historian, describes the American lawn as essentially a plain, grassy plot devoid of items. According to her, this is largely a class-related issue, as people often frown upon adorning their front yards with items such as chairs, lawn ornaments, and other objects.
She emphasizes that a controlled lawn requires considerable irrigation and pesticide use. In an era of climate change and dwindling water resources, lawns are increasingly being replaced by native trees and a variety of species.
We are heading back towards the flowering meadow,” Ian Thompson said. “And indeed, gardens in suburban areas can serve as a refuge for wildlife, don’t you think? I believe we should definitely foster this trend.
Author: Stuart Braun
