11 Comments
User's avatar
Carolyn's avatar

I’ll keep the dandelions, and definitely keep the bunnies in my yard! Looking forward to the pesto!! Your ruminations are spot on, and I agree, doubtful that the world will see lawns in the same light as we do, but I wish it were so. Thanks for your defense of the lowly dandelion! I’m going to try the tea and report back. I did NOT KNOW they were imported here by our European ancestors. Amazing the things we learn from each other! Thank you, friend.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Mmm....dandelion pesto! Appreciate the comments, Carolyn, and the enthusiasm. :)

Deborah's avatar

Viva la wild 'lawn'! I'm with you on naturalized greenscapes for one's yard. We just manage what sprouts across our 'lawn' and try to add more plantings for all to enjoy.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

It's that "added plantings" that I want to crank up a notch, with a goal of having footpaths between the wildness. Thanks for weighing in, Deborah.

Cynthia J's avatar

Beautiful, and agree 100%.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Cynthia. It's a slow pendulum, but I hope it's swinging.

Meanwhile, Elsewhere's avatar

Elizabeth, this is a lovely tribute to the lowly lawn "pest." You build out the scenario like a landscaper, and leave the reader's mind with many places to walk and contemplate. I like the idea of lawns being diverse, that there is inherent strength in diversity. We miss lessons like these because of our American obsession with monocultures - entire prairies converted to corn machines. Thanks for the prompt for me to treat my crummy lawn with a little more respect, plantain, fleabane, polygonum and all!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Fleabane. Isn't that the most marvelous name?! I wonder if the fleas agree? Monocultures certainly have their efficiencies, but at the cost of longterm health and resilience. Thanks for the affirmation, Stewart, and the solidarity.

Barry P Osborne's avatar

Wonderful.. extremely informative and helpful

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Barry. Let us know when you brew up some dandelion beer!

Barry P Osborne's avatar

Maybe soon