Why hello there and welcome back. I am Stephanie Safarian and you are listening to

episode 138 of the Sustainable Minimalist podcast. I'm so happy you have joined me today. On today's show we are discussing all things

lawns and backyards. Now this episode is a two-part series on water. This is the second part in that two-part

series. If you miss last week's episode, episode 137, we dove deep into the global freshwater crisis.

And on this week's episode, I am answering a listener's question as we discuss everything

as it relates to our lawns, our lawns water footprints, the pesticide application that they demand,

and so much more.

My goal today is to make your backyard as well as mine more

eco-friendly for ourselves, for our children who play on it and in it, and for the species too that call our yards their homes.

Now Americans we are so obsessed with our lawns right here in America

lawns are the most grown crop, and its primary purpose is to make our homes look good. It doesn't give us food. It is just there to add aesthetic appeal. Now in a perfect world your grass is vibrant and green. There are no weeds within your grass, right? And there is certainly no dandelions.

Your grass is lush, it is neatly edged, it is perfectly cut to an inch and a half tall.

I'm sure in your mind right now you are picturing that idyllic lawn.

Maybe that's your reality. Maybe it's not, it is certainly

not my lawn's reality, but maybe it is certainly not my lawn's reality but maybe it is for you. In order to

achieve that idyllic lawn though you must be willing to shell out the money

to have it mowed, repaired, and cultivated and seated.

If you're not willing to shell out the money to have somebody else do all that for you, you

must be willing to shell out the time to do it yourself.

And that doesn't even touch on the water constraints that your lawn requires.

If you have a lawn, but you don't have an irrigation system you

must commit to watering it daily. We're going to get into the status symbol that is

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