Lawn History: Background on American Lawns and Landscapes

Lawn History

Northfield, Minnesota

John H. North founded the city of Northfield, Minnesota in 1855. As a New York native (b. 1815), North carried with him the values of a New Englander, which had been shaped by his European ancestors. He most likely chose the location of Northfield based on these values, as the local landscape was physically very similar to one North may have been familiar with back home. As Northfield grew, it was even often described as a New England village (Northfield Historical Society). To add to the familiarity, new settlers began gardening and landscaping as they had in their lawns back home.

The English Garden, A European Ideal
The creation of English gardens in America was not only happening in the Midwest; immigrants tried to bring their home landscapes with them everywhere they went. Many brought over seeds and saplings and attempted to plant them in the new environments, whether the plants liked it or not (Wasowski 2000). Some survived, some did not, but nevertheless, people continued planting. A central part, of course, to these English gardens was the long green (and mowed) lawn. Popular species that have survived the new environment and the test of time include: Kentucky bluegrass (genus Poa), which was brought from France and Germany; fescues (Festuca), most of which are also native to Europe (though there are a few native species); and, rye grass (Lolium), which comes to us from England (Daniels 1995).

The Lawn Mower Graces the Scene

The lawn mower has been one of the greatest influences on the typical crew-cut Kentucky bluegrass lawn of many Americans. A brief timeline follows:

1830: first lawn mower, by Edwin Budding
1868: first patent for a lawn mower
1902: gasoline-powered mower, by Ransomes

Companies like Toro and Coldwell soon produced their own models of lawn mowers; advertisements were geared towards new homeowners in the suburbs (Daniels 1995 and Wasowski 2000).

Property of Pat Kelley,
Northfield resident

Sports and Leisure It would be hard to argue that recreation is not important to Americans. Our lawns demonstrate the existence of this close bond we have with sport and leisure. And, true enough, closely-shaven turfgrass lawns are great for sporting activities:
Rugby Oles vs. Carles at the Carleton pitch
Golf Fore!	Lawn bowling © Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph www.drellenrudolph.com (used with permission)

Too Much Fuss!
These lawns, however, are pretty high-maintenance. They require regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, aerating, and in many cases, continual pesticide application. Even if we are able to justify all this upkeep with sports, what about lawns that aren't used for recreation? Like these lawns that exist solely for the purpose of preserving the beauty of green carpet: