Lawns are a great way for homeowners to add green space and provide a natural environment that families enjoy. They also improve air quality, help remove CO2 from the atmosphere, reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound waves, and can even lower your energy bills! Lawns are an important part of our outdoor living areas. In order to keep them healthy and thriving though, it is necessary to do some work on them regularly.
It’s no secret that a well-manicured lawn can add curb appeal to any home. But what you may not know is that there are many other benefits to having a healthy lawn. Below we will go over 13 benefits of having a lawn!
1. Increased home value
If you’re looking to sell your home, one of the most important things is to make sure it looks its best. A well-manicured lawn can add curb appeal and increase a home’s overall value. When selling your property, prospective homebuyers will definitely be taking into consideration the condition of your property.
Many buyers look at lawns as not only indicators of the condition of the rest of the home, they also will appreciate not having to do extensive lawncare when they move in.
2. Improved flood control
Lawns are an effective way to prevent heavy rains or other external factors from flooding your home. They act as a barrier between the water and the soil, which helps protect your foundation.
3. Noise Reduction
One of the most underappreciated benefits of having a healthy lawn is that it absorbs sound waves. Lawns help to absorb sounds from roadways, which not only improves your neighborhood’s quality of life but also reduces the amount of road noise and traffic inside the home.
4. Improved air quality
The more vegetation there is in an area, the more CO2 grass can absorb. The grass is incredibly efficient at removing carbon dioxide from the air and then releasing clean oxygen for you and your family to breathe.
5. Healthier, happier pets
An overgrown lawn isn’t just a pain to mow- it’s bad for your pet’s health as well. Maintaining a healthy lawn reduces the amount of pollen and other allergens in the air, which is good for not only people but also their four-legged friends.
It also provides a comfortable and lush area for your pet to run around and play in. This gives them a chance to exercise and release some pent-up energy.
6. Creates a cooling effect
Grasses are one of the best types of vegetation to grow in order to create a cooling effect. During hot summer months, tall grass provides shade that keeps your home cooler and reduces the amount of energy needed for air conditioning. Those tall blades of grass also work like miniature wind fans by gently blowing cool air around.
This is on a larger scale as well. According to scotts.com, cities with fewer lawns and natural green spaces are, on average, between 2 and 22 degrees warmer than surrounding areas.
7. Provides natural habitat for wildlife
Having a healthy lawn means that there is plenty of bugs, grubs, and grass for various types of wildlife to eat. Native birds can also find shelter in tall grasses. Providing natural habitat for wildlife has many benefits- not only does it help them survive, but it also provides endless hours of entertainment watching the birds or squirrels playing in your yard.
8. Lowers water bill
The more vegetation in an area, the more moisture it absorbs. Since a healthy lawn is a large amount of lush grass, a healthy lawn helps reduce water use and reduces the amount of time spent watering your lawn.
9. Improves the home exterior look
A well-maintained, green lawn is a pleasant sight to see. It can change the overall look and feel of your home’s exterior, which gives potential buyers that positive first impression they are looking for.
10. Place for children to play
A healthy lawn can provide a great place for children to play. There are all types of activities that children can do in the yard during the summer months, including sports and games. This gives them an opportunity to get some exercise while also having fun.
It also is a beautiful backdrop for gardens, outdoor sitting areas, pools and more. It’s no surprise that homeowners are more likely to spend time outside if they have a well-cared-for lawn.
11. Mow with confidence
Having a healthy lawn will reduce your stress levels because you don’t have to worry about ongoing issues. While even the most well-maintained lawns will require ongoing maintenance, once you have perfected your lawn care routine, it is just a matter of consistency and time before you get the lawn of your dreams.
12. Helps breakdown organic chemicals
A healthy lawn can help naturally break down harmful organic chemicals and pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene found in your home’s water supply. While this isn’t something most people consider when looking at the benefits of having a healthy lawn, it is certainly an added bonus that can protect your family and home.
13. Protects environment
A healthy lawn helps prevent topsoil erosion, which means it helps keep the Earth’s soil in place when there is heavy rainfall or other weather conditions. A thick grass canopy traps moisture in, reducing runoff from storms by as much as 80 to 90 percent. Healthy grass also helps prevent soil compaction, which enables water to better penetrate the soil. This helps reduce waste and pollution in waterways by keeping harmful chemicals out of our lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans.
A healthy lawn is something that should be a priority for every homeowner. Not only does it provide numerous benefits to the homeowner, but it also has a positive impact on the environment. By following some simple tips and tricks, you can have a beautiful, healthy lawn that will make your home stand out from the rest.
