The American lawn is almost as iconic baseball and apple pie. From pick-up football games, to week-end BBQ’s to small weddings, home lawns often serve as a gathering place where great memories are formed. But beyond the nostalgia and fond memories that they evoke, well-maintained lawns provide many different benefits to our homes, our wallets, our mental health and to the environment.

Did You Know That Lawns….

Provide Oxygen

A 50’x50’ lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four. In fact, lawns are so efficient at producing oxygen that one acre of grass produces more oxygen than one acre of rainforest. (Source: International Society of Arboriculture)

Clean the Air

Grass and plants play a vital role in capturing dust, smoke particles and other pollutants to make our air cleaner. In fact, lawns alone capture more than 12 million tons of dust each year. (Source: Georgia Turfgrass Foundation)

Protect Bodies of Water

When lawns are well cared for, they absorb and filter unhealthy water that might otherwise runoff into bodies of water. It may be surprising to learn that an average, healthy lawn can absorb more than 6,000 gallons of water from a single rainfall event. (Source: Journal of Environmental Quality) 

Act as Natural Coolants

Lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. Trees shading homes can reduce attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees.  These natural coolants reduce the need for electric cooling units, saving energy and reducing electric bills. (Source: NALP.com) 

Minimize Noise

Lawns and plants reduce noise pollution levels by 20 percent to 30 percent over hard surfaces like concrete and pavement. (Source: NALP.com)

Increase Home Value

A well-maintained landscape can contribute to a whopping 28% of your home’s overall value. (Source: Realtor.com)

Reduce Stress

Neighborhoods that incorporate community green spaces have lower incidences of stress, have lower health care costs and have an improved quality of life. Research shows that just looking at plants and trees, even through a window, can reduce stress and lower blood pressure. (Source: Housley and Wolf)

So, this Spring, why not give a little extra love to your lawn and landscapes – you’ll get more back in return!