Personally I think we are custodians of the gardens we have; wildlife has been evolving and using the land long before our houses were built on it. I've just finished two very good wildlife gardening memoirs which I think helps people understand the very real impact of diminishing natural habitats particularly for local populations of insects, birds etc due to diminishing wildlife-friendly gardens ('The bumblebee flies anyway' by Kate Bradbury and 'The stubborn light of things' by Melissa Harrison). Gardens DO matter and we can each make a difference on a local basis. That being said, I don't think a manicured garden is the worse of the problems; paved over driveways, astro turf; gardens with very little habitat for wildlife in general are real issues and I think as gardeners, or just people with gardens, we should take some responsibility for the wildlife who need them to survive in a world where so much is against them (climate change etc).
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
I think that there are far worse things than a good-looking lawn. The chances of a garden possessing that and offering nothing else to benefit wildlife are slim IMO.
I am aware of pressure to be environmentally conscious that is extraordinarily different from when I was a child but I don't feel much guilt. To some extent, I feel it is a blind to turn our thoughts away from big business. How is it that so many alien species have been accidentally introduced by imported plants, yet there is minimal inspection and control? Why are goods driven hundreds of miles, sometimes shipped thousands when much more could be done locally? Why do we buy almost everything from China and the far East instead of making it ourselves? We are encouraged to buy electric cars, but lorries burn polluting diesel and that's OK, apparently. Wildlife has a place in all this. We have promoted huge agro-firms to destroy natural habitats and pour chemicals on to the land. But it's your tiny garden to blame for the lack of birds and bees? By all, means, do what you can for the birds and bees, but don't imagine that your lawn is responsible for the devastation you see reported every day.
I don't think anyone in their right mind (I appreciate that there are plenty out there who are indeed not in their right mind...) would agree that small gardens are the cause of the environmental deterioration we are seeing globally. But collectively I do believe we can make a difference on a small and local scale. Not talking specifically about lawns here, and I agree that a pristine lawn doesn't always mean a garden is void of all wildlife. It seems like everyone on here does at least agree that our planet is being mistreated mostly by large cooperations. But where's the consumer buying power? Does everyone who recognises the destruction caused of these large businesses shop locally? Shop UK-produced? Shop organically? Shop plastic-free? I expect not.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
As the original post used the word beautiful, I'd guess it is how each individual gardener views that term with regard to a lawn ? Those who religiously mow, scarify, weed and feed and have neat stripes up and down can sit and admire their lawn - often offset by colourful borders and perhaps hedging/trees which will benefit wildlife. Those who have an area of grass in which clover, daisies, plantain, dandelion and other flowers ( or weeds ? ), abound can also sit and admire the colour and insect activity of their patch. If the grass is edged, their borders too can provide a backdrop and further habitat. Each to their own I think
In 15yr of gardening I've always tried to keep a beautiful well kept lawn. But from an environmental point of view this makes me feel guilty.
I don't understand the attraction of spending time and money on lawns ( in much the same way I find growing vegetables for show absurd ). However, I certainly wouldn't feel guilty, nor would I want you to, about doing so if that makes you happy.
Apologies if I'm wrong, but I have a sneaky feeling you've been influenced by certain individuals in the gardening media. Don't be. Your garden, do whatever you want in it without guilt.
No, I don't shop locally, @WildFlower_UK. My washing machine, vacuum cleaner, cooker and car etc were all made or made from components from abroad. We do not have shops selling locally grown food, it's all tourist stuff and the farmers' market and organic shop are so expensive that I couldn't afford it - and I'm on a proper pension. Avoiding plastic? All my cleaning products, for home, hair and body come in plastic, so do most food products where I shop. I want to buy some bedding and towels after lockdown British? Not likely. What can you do? Not much as an individual, I fear.
@Posy I am truly sorry if you, or anyone else, thought that I was having a go. It's easy for conversations on here to mutate and become something completely separate from the initial topic (guilty!). I'm simply trying to suggest that as individuals, we collectively have the chance to change some aspects our of environmental impact for the better. Small, individual changes do make a difference in the same way as collective concreting of front gardens (for example) will displace local wildlife.
I'm not going to list here all the personal choices I make to minimise my waste (PM if you're interested), and I certainly would never suggest that 'green' solutions are accessible to everyone. But I do think that being so used to having things so cheaply, so quickly, and so available all year round, is part of the global problem.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
I didn't think you were having a go !!! Just a conversation about modern life. My Mum took a basket to the local shops and bought local produce loose or in paper bags. All our house furnishing, gadgets and white goods, our carpets, clothing, the car, our toys were made in Britain. Now, even the vegetables come from half way round the world. I have tried to buy British at times but it just doesn't exist!
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I think that there are far worse things than a good-looking lawn. The chances of a garden possessing that and offering nothing else to benefit wildlife are slim IMO.
Wildlife has a place in all this. We have promoted huge agro-firms to destroy natural habitats and pour chemicals on to the land. But it's your tiny garden to blame for the lack of birds and bees? By all, means, do what you can for the birds and bees, but don't imagine that your lawn is responsible for the devastation you see reported every day.
Those who religiously mow, scarify, weed and feed and have neat stripes up and down can sit and admire their lawn - often offset by colourful borders and perhaps hedging/trees which will benefit wildlife.
Those who have an area of grass in which clover, daisies, plantain, dandelion and other flowers ( or weeds ? ), abound can also sit and admire the colour and insect activity of their patch. If the grass is edged, their borders too can provide a backdrop and further habitat.
Each to their own I think
Apologies if I'm wrong, but I have a sneaky feeling you've been influenced by certain individuals in the gardening media. Don't be. Your garden, do whatever you want in it without guilt.
I'm not going to list here all the personal choices I make to minimise my waste (PM if you're interested), and I certainly would never suggest that 'green' solutions are accessible to everyone. But I do think that being so used to having things so cheaply, so quickly, and so available all year round, is part of the global problem.
made in Britain. Now, even the vegetables come from half way round the world. I have tried to buy British at times but it just doesn't exist!