Lawns Are Going Organic

America's obsession with the flawless lawn didn't begin in suburbia, but in 1967, when the Masters Golf Tournament was first broadcast in color. Homeowners who'd been used to weedy, varied lawns suddenly wanted their own emerald carpets of grass, just like the ones on the green in Augusta, Georgia. It was even given a name, "Augusta Syndrome."

This lust for the perfect lawn has cost Americans billions in herbicide, water and gas, plus countless hours of mowing, and possibly even our health. A National Academy of Science report shows that the health of one in seven people is negatively affected by some form by lawn pesticides. Children and pets are especially at risk because of their size, development, and proximity to the ground. But going organic would be so expensive, right? Well, maybe not. Paul Tukey is the founder of SafeLawns.org and he says an organic lawn is not only better, but less expensive too.

(Photo by Jeremy Page via Flickr/Creative Commons)