SMART THINKING

We may love our green grass, but is it time to find a better function for our lawn space?

How Fleet Farming is transforming the home garden by creating an edible lawn.

Lush green grass may be the pride and joy of many a homeowner, but is it time to rethink the lawn? Lawns first appeared in medieval times in France and Britain, when areas around castles were kept clear so guards could see any approaching visitors. In the 16th century, lawns were cultivated by the wealthy, but were usually planted with herbs. Grass lawns became popular in 17th-century England, and the concept soon spread to other parts of the world. Fuelled by the mass production of the lawnmower in the 1800s, and the rise of the suburbs in the 20th century, the desire for a manicured patch of grass was set. But what role does the lawn play today, and could the land be put to better use? Enter Fleet Farming – an initiative launched in Orlando, USA, by the non-profit organisation IDEAS For Us. Aiming to provide more local food and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from food production, processing and distribution, Fleet Farming involves a homeowner donating their lawn for two years. The lawn is then converted into urban farmland, with fruit trees, vegetables and herbs. Twice a month, Fleet Farming hosts a community bike ride, and volunteers ride from farmlet to farmlet to maintain and harvest the produce. The host keeps a portion of what is grown, and the rest is sold at local markets – with 100 per cent of proceeds from sales going back into the organisation. Fleet Farming is still at a grassroots level, but there are plans to expand the programme. “If every community and neighbourhood had a programme like this, we wouldn’t need to rely on harmful, large-scale farming methods for the majority of our produce,” says co-founder Chris Castro. fleetfarming.org