Gardens are great places to relax and unwind after a tiring day. They provide sanctuary not only for us but also for millions of insects and other creatures that depend on the plants for their various needs.
A garden with a grass lawn does provide some habitat for insects but a wild garden with dense shrubs and trees is necessary to make it a haven for all sorts of animals. I’m sure many of you have lawns in your backyards. My house has a garden with a small lawn too but I have always liked dense, wild gardens which attract lots of wildlife.
Grass lawns became popular in the 16th century and were only kept in the backyards of wealthy homes because they needed regular and high maintenance. It was really expensive and the grass needed to be cut and maintained constantly.
In the past, they used animals to keep the lawns trimmed and at the proper height. These animals also provided fertilisers in the form of dung which helped keep the grass well-nourished and healthy. Now, we use lawnmowers which consume lots of power and chemical fertilisers which are harmful to the soil when sprayed excessively.
Moreover, the grass lawns need to be fed with many gallons of water regularly and very often. These high maintenance costs put a dent in our bank accounts. On the other hand, wild and dense gardens have many advantages.
Here are 7 reasons why you need to set up wild gardens instead of monotonous grass lawns.
1. Needs very little maintenance unlike lawns
Gardens filled with dense shrubs and trees do not need high maintenance. They shed older leaves regularly. These leaves decompose in the soil and provide nutrients back to the plants. The little bugs and worms that call the soil their home munch on the leaves and provide a larger surface area for the bacteria and fungi to feed upon.
You might think that the fallen leaves look dirty and unsightly but it’s actually nature’s way of giving back lost nutrients. So you don’t have to worry about raking the leaves as you would do if you had a lawn. The dead leaves also act as mulch and prevent moisture from drying up very quickly. Therefore, the plants don’t need regular watering to keep them healthy.
2. Helps save urban wildlife
I like to have a dense garden because it will attract all the flying B’s of the world such as birds, butterflies, bees, bats, beetles and bugs. These are vital to an ecosystem since they perform important functions.
The bees and butterflies act as pollinators which is essential for plant reproduction. Birds and bats eat fleshy fruits and drop the seeds far and wide thereby helping plants grow in various places. The beetles and bugs act as scavengers and decomposers and clean up the debris surrounding the garden.
Wildlife that lives in urban areas needs our support. They depend on pockets of green spaces that are scattered around cities. So if lawns are set up instead of dense shrubs and trees, then thousands of wildlife in the cities would lose their potential homes and feeding grounds.
3. Reduces air conditioning costs
I know how electricity bills soar up when you use the air conditioner daily during the summer months. Planting tall and shady trees in strategic places around your backyard will keep your house very cool during hot weather. This will significantly reduce your air conditioning costs. It will ensure that money isn’t drained from your account just to keep you cool.
Cities have got lots of asphalt roads and buildings which absorb heat and make the weather hotter than it really is. If people all over a city plant trees then the overall heat of the city would be a lot cooler and energy costs would be reduced by half. This reason is a great motivation to avoid having grass lawns.
4. Stops flood water run off and prevents soil erosion
When it rains, the rainwater is absorbed by the roots of trees. Gardens with trees prevent water from running off which in turn prevents erosion of the top layer of soil that is highly fertile and contains many essential nutrients. The excess water is stored underground and can be used in the future.
If there are no trees around, it gets wasted along cement roadways that are non-porous. Grass lawns do prevent water from running off to a certain extent but they are not as efficient as trees in preventing erosion because they do not have strong and thick roots to suck the water into the soil.
5. Helps you breathe cleaner air
The air in rural areas and forests are cleaner and better when compared to the air in cities. The air that we breathe in cities is always polluted and it increases the risk of severe respiratory illnesses.
Developing urban spaces which are surrounded by lots of trees and shrubs aid in the purification of the polluted air. The leaves trap particulate matter and absorb harmful gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, etc.
6. Improves mental health
Looking out at trees and urban wildlife from your window or balcony or sitting under shady trees will improve your mental health significantly. Spending time in nature has been proven to decrease blood pressure, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and also increase creativity and concentration.
Shrubs with colourful flowers and fruits look pleasing to the eye and help clear your mind from worries. You can spend some time in the garden after work to destress and take care of your mental well-being.
7. Increases property value
Planting many flowering trees and shrubs would not only make the land look pretty but will also increase the property value. People are happy to pay exorbitant money for real estate with lots of greenery. They tend to prefer properties which give them all the benefits that I have mentioned above. So if you want to gain some extra bucks when selling or renting your property, consider planting local, shade-providing trees and shrubs that are drought resistant and which need little maintenance. This is a great way to boost its value.
Now, don’t you think it’s time for you to plant wild gardens instead of lawns and gain these awesome benefits?
