But let’s talk turkey about the practicality of lawns (aka, turf) in California, with it’s wet and dry seasons. First, did you know that lawns are the #1 irrigated "crop", estimated to cover about 128,000 square kilometers (nearly 32 million acres) in the United States?
And look at how much turf is concentrated in Southern California and the Bay Area! With local landscape ordinances being developed to restrict the new planting of turf and manage water use, get ahead of the curve and plan less lawn or a lawnless household.
In addition to using a large amount of water to maintain during the dry season, many lawns are composed of a single species of plant, or of very few species, which reduces biodiversity, especially if the lawn covers a large area. They may be composed primarily of plants not local to the area, which can further decrease local biodiversity. Lawns are sometimes cared for by using synthetic pesticides and other chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment, especially when misused.
Sprinkler runoff is a large contributor to water waste and stormwater runoff. So, if you are determined to keep your lawn, please water in the early morning, set your timers to adjust to weather conditions (such as not continuing to water while it is raining), and leave the grass longer when you mow to allow peak water retention. Leave your grass clippings in place or use a mulching mower or attachment. Rich in nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus, grass clippings are a great organic fertilizer for your lawn and garden, and they're free!
