No...not that kind of season, yet!  Maybe it's just because July is Smart Irrigation Month or maybe it's because we have been reviewing all of the existing and proposed green guidelines, but there seems to be a increase in the discussion of turfgrass!  That's right the good old Kentucky Bluegrass, Turf Type Fescue, Zoysia, St. Augustine and Bermuda varieties are as hot a topic as the summer in Texas!  So, what's all the buzz...well, in the summer months, landscaping water usage can constitute up to one third of all residential water usage.  Some homes use up to 200 gallons per day for landscape irrigation!  Let the battle lines be drawn and the discussion begin...any thoughts?

With apologies to all of you that are fortunate or unfortunate enough not to have this dilemma, the discussion on the American Lawn may soon be as important a topic of discussion as that of "Blue Gold".  There seems to be two schools of thought at work here. 

One point is that the American Lawn is a social and environmental menace that has been perpetuated and so encrusted in American culture that homeowners, builders and developers continue to plant almost six thousand square miles of it a year!  The New Yorker article by Elizabeth Kolbert titled Turf War is an excellent, well researched piece that is full of social and environmental information about the battle...er, discussion.

The counterpoint, as might be expected. is provided by the turf industry and professionals in the field of turfgrass and turfgrass management.  Let's not forget that the lawn in the front and back of almost every one's home is a multi-billion industry!  They have not yet begun to fight!  Ron Hall of Landscape Management magazine provides the volley over enemy lines in his recent editorial.

As a landscape designer that has met with and worked on hundreds of residential properties, I propose that we take the middle ground instead of the all-or-nothing approach.  Homeowners, especially those with small children and pets, feel compelled to provide their loved ones with a place to relieve themselves (hopefully the pets!) or to romp, play and frolic.  In my designs, I accomplish a balance by figuring out exactly how much lawn is enough.  Once we get past the fact that realistically they aren't going to throw 75 yard touchdown passes to their kids or play "Can of Corn", we can rationally reduce the amount of perceived yard (turf) with what is realistic.  Then we can start the discussion of turf varieties, irrigation and maintenance.  Taking an educated, common sense approach and looking at all of the possibilities is the key.

We would love to hear your opinions!  Especially those of you that don't have a yard or lawn!  Should homeowners that use more water and chemicals pay more for their "green stripe" of suburban paradise?  Or should we allow private property owners to do whatever they please as long as it stays on their property and doesn't violate any subdivision covenants?  What about areas that are facing drought conditions and water restrictions?  Any thoughts?