On Saturday mornings in the suburbs in spring and summer, you can hear the distinctive sound of lawnmower engines revving. Neighbors mill to and fro in their lush yards, painting diagonal gingham patterns in their grass. The smell of freshly cut grass wafts through the air, bringing with it the scent of the weekend, new yet familiar.
Although this landscape is idyllic, it's not as ubiquitous as it once was. More and more American homeowners are realizing the drawbacks of the traditional lawn: it often lacks character, and more importantly, it takes a considerable toll on the environment. In fact, the typical suburban lawn can thwart Mother Nature by repelling pollinators, using up a lot of water, and introducing invasive species.
In some areas, the drought has completely changed the way homes and landscapes look, making lawns irrelevant. People who oppose traditional lawn gardens belong to an informal group known as the anti-lawn movement. Here's what the anti-lawn movement means, how it started, and what it means for the future of lawns in America, according to experts.
Amy Hovis, lead gardener at Eden Garden Design, which creates natural landscapes for residential and commercial clients; Jen McDonald, certified organic garden specialist and co-founder of Garden Girls, a service that helps people design beautiful garden spaces; and Jeff Hooper, grounds manager at RT Lodge in Maryville, Texas.
What is the anti-lawn movement?
The anti-lawn movement has been around for decades but has gained momentum in recent years as homeowners have become more sustainability-conscious. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the movement has resonated on social media, especially with younger generations. On TikTok, videos with the hashtag #nolawns have garnered more than 6 million views and counting. On Twitter, several anti-lawn memes have gone viral in the past few months, and on Reddit, r/nolawns has a group (225,000 members).
In some parts of the country, the anti-lawn movement has become law: More than 30 water departments in Southern California, Phoenix and Salt Lake City have signed agreements to remove ornamental lawns in their jurisdictions in 2022, according to the Associated Press. The reason? To preserve precious water in the Colorado River during severe droughts.
While these efforts have targeted commercial properties and nonfunctional spaces (think shopping malls and road medians), the idea is also catching on in residential neighborhoods: Minnesota is offering financial rewards to homeowners who replace their lawns with pollinator-friendly flowers, and in Maryland, municipalities are offering to pay families and homeowners associations to design yards and lawns that collect rainwater, CNN reports.
This movement is only growing: According to the National Wildlife Federation's 2024 Trends Report, 12% of U.S. adults have converted part of their lawn to a natural or wildflower landscape, and 28% have purchased plants that are beneficial to native bees, butterflies and birds.
Benefits of the anti-lawn movement
Despite the lack of a formal organization, the spirit of the anti-lawn movement is carried out through many channels: climate-conscious nonprofits, conservation groups, homeowners, etc. Participants are united by their efforts to ditch lawns and grasses in favor of native plants, free-growing grasslands, xeriscapes that require little irrigation, and increasing local pollinators.
The anti-grass movement has many benefits: it's low maintenance, costs less, consumes less water, minimizes the need for weed control, attracts pollinators, and looks great. Below, experts detail the movement's most notable benefits.
Reduce water consumption
Lawns require large amounts of water, which can be costly and wasteful. “As climate change becomes more and more evident, people are looking for ways to contribute to protecting the planet,” says Amy Hovis, lead gardener at Eden Garden Design. “One of the most effective ways is to replace lawns with native plants that are both drought tolerant and valuable as habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.”
Improved visual appeal
In addition to reducing water consumption and providing a refuge for native species, rewilded landscapes are inherently beautiful and full of life. Hovis says the positive changes can be so dramatic and happen quickly, even when starting from seed. “Clients frequently call to report how many butterflies are swarming their new gardens, or let me know about their newfound interest in birdwatching in their backyard,” she says. “Rewilding brings back beauty, color, texture, scent, and most importantly, life.”
Reduced maintenance
Gardens with more native plants and less grass require less time-consuming maintenance for the average homeowner, like weeding, mowing, fertilizing, and watering. Jen McDonald, certified organic garden specialist and co-founder of Garden Girls, regularly performs rewilding designs for her clients. In a project closer to home, she recently ripped out every inch of her own mother's lawn and replaced it with weathered granite paths and raised vegetable beds. She also incorporated pollinator plants, olive trees, and native shrubs.
After spending years dealing with the expense and hassle of maintaining a small lawn, her nearly 80-year-old mother was finally able to enjoy relief from her demanding maintenance schedule. “The results are more beautiful than we could have ever imagined,” says MacDonald. “It adds incredible personality to an otherwise ordinary space, and for the first time in her life, she no longer needs someone to help her mow the yard. Instead, she tends to her small vegetable patch, picking perfectly ripe tomatoes off the vines, and picking seasonal flowers and fresh herbs.”
Sergey and Marina / Getty Images
How to join the anti-lawn movement
Transforming an existing space into a grassless area is something you can do yourself or outsource. If you're not sure where to start, outsourcing may be more appealing. Local landscaping companies that specialize in wilderness have in-depth knowledge of native plants and know how to design a garden for maximum sustainability.
Remove the grass
The first thing you should do is remove the grass. “An effective way to remove grass is to lay down a layer of mulch on newspaper or a tarp to kill the grass,” says MacDonald. “You can also cover the tarp with bricks or stones to hold it down. Within a few weeks the grass will die and be easy to remove with a shovel.” You could also outsource this task, but it's very labor-intensive and can quickly become expensive.
After removing any existing grass, McDonald recommends adding weed control and edging, then laying down a sandy soil layer for vegetables and herbs. “Then plant an interesting and beautiful mix of seasonal organic vegetables, herbs and flowers,” she says.
Finding grass alternatives
If you still crave the look of a traditional lawn, you could plant a grass-like ground cover like clover instead. Clover is water-efficient, soft underfoot, and visually appealing. Plus, its small white flowers attract pollinators, and clover is less likely to turn brown during hot summers when traditional lawns can become crisp. “Another option is sedum. This ground cover spreads quickly, thrives in full sun, and can be planted as tiny seedlings rather than seeds,” says McDonald. “I often plant sedum between pavers for interest and a lime-green accent.”
Consider xeriscaping
In desert climates, lawn care means xeriscaping. You can leave the ground as dirt, or cover the garden with mulch or stones. From there, you can add native plants, trees, and shrubs. Incorporating a water basin into the design can be aesthetically pleasing and help collect and retain water for your plants. Add even more interest with paths, solar lights, pretty stones, cobblestones, and potted plants.
Learn more about native plants
If you choose to grow your own, educate yourself by visiting a local garden center that specializes in native plants. “You can get ideas for what varieties to look for and speak with a knowledgeable local gardener to find the plants that will do best in your climate and area,” says Jeff Hooper, grounds manager at RT Lodge.
Things to consider before changing your lawn
Before you start peeling away your turf, consider these potential obstacles and how to get around them.
Homeowners Association (HOA) Regulations
Fighting a strict HOA may be one of the biggest hurdles for those opposed to a lawn conversion. Talk to your HOA about what's allowed in your neighborhood and plan from there. Some HOAs have restrictions on certain plant species, while others have strict rules about overall appearance. “Even if you have to fight the HOA, you're a hero for making it and you'll definitely be leading the charge,” Hovis says. “Lawns will one day be a folly of the past.”
Initial costs and expenses
Hooper says it doesn't cost much to transform a space into a grass-free one if you're willing to put in the time and effort. The hardest part is removing the grass, which takes time and effort. Outsourcing can save you time, but costs add up quickly. Other costs include incorporating new plants and fixtures into the space. To make the process cheaper, Hovis recommends starting with a small area and working your way up.
Maintenance is still necessary
Although anti-lawns are much lower maintenance than traditional lawns, that doesn't necessarily mean you can “leave your yard alone.” Rewilding requires proactive work, such as removing the grass, and thoughtful planting to replace it with a variety of native plants, including wildflowers, shrubs and trees.
Additionally, you'll want to keep the growth in check to avoid it looking overgrown. Pruning, deadheading, and light watering may be necessary to enhance the beauty of your space and allow your plants to thrive.
Invasive plants
Another aspect of maintenance is to keep an eye out for invasive plants. “If you don't maintain things regularly, invasive plants can take over parts of your garden really quickly,” says Hooper. “Depending on your climate, invasive plants can take over a lot of your garden really quickly.” Some notorious invasive plants include English ivy, honeysuckle, kudzu and grass.
