Quiz: Why grass? Why mow it?

[GroundKprs]

OK, here's the one Jodi won last year. The thread was lost to some server gremlin in Nov. So only members signed on from Dec, 2001 and after are valid contestants. (If you saw the thread last year, don't spoil it!)

From an historical perspective, why do we grow grass around structures in our country? And why, historically speaking, do we mow this grass?

I'm looking for a one word answer.

I'll answer on Friday evening unless someone gets it before then. But, sorry, Jodi already won the dinner for this one. :(

[Bob Minney]

Security

[Mykster]

Appearance

[bmh1202]

Wife:p

[motodude]

BEER:blob2:

[MikeLT1Z28]

protection

[Tony Harrell]

Snakes?

[ceaman]

status?

[Smartgene]

Money!

[Russo]

England

[awm]

oh yes i remember that. it was ,duh
i forgot.:)

[Brickman]

Money
$$$$$

[LawnLad]

I'd have to go with "Security". Same reason they clear fields around military bases. Grass is erosion control - and allows for full visability.

Wasn't Hydroseeding invented as a military application for seeding cleared site lines?

[FrankenScagMachines]

A) Security
B) Appearance
C) Money
D) All of the above

"D" is my choice! :D
It wouldn't look very good if England let their memorials and monuments get fields growing around them would it? I would think it would look trashy.... I think keeping it nice shows PRIDE too.
GO USA!!!!!!

[GroundKprs]

I think some people have the idea, but how about the HISTORICAL origins of grass and mowing around structures in our society. Grasses have been used around living areas since prehistoric time: they learned to plant the agricultural grasses - wheat, oats, barley, corn, etc. - around living areas and communities to allow easy access to the fields.

So why do we now use our lawn grasses around almost every structure, from a true historical perspective? Not too many people would consider a house without a lawn, because it is the CUSTOM. Where did this custom come from?

One word will answer it, but give the history. Think back 100s of years. Why do we spend all the time and effort on lawns? It wasn't just cosmetic in the beginning.

[A.J.'s Lawn Service]

money

[gunputt]

grazing

[RayoVac]

STATUS

The desire for beautiful lawns and gardens spread over hundreds of years from the privileged aristocracy to the general population.

Traditionaly it has been seen as a reflection of its owner's character and status.

Over its history the lawn has been seen by some as an indicator
of moral worth; by others as a symbol of tyranny.

O.K.... so I plagiarized a few sources.... but I think this is what you are looking for...

RayoVac

[ADMowing]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that it was for:
SECURITY, but from where?

I think that it was to let those participating in the Civil War know when they were coming to households where people lived in order to keep their fighting away.

This is WILD shot! I'm not a history buff at all!!!

If I'm allowed to guess again, I might say that it was for SANTIZING!

There were many rats and mice, etc. etc. etc... that lived in the fields where the vegetables and produce grew. I think the tradition may have come from our forefathers who wanted to keep their area around the house CLEAN and free from varmits. Thus -- the LAWN!

How'd I do???

[GroundKprs]

STATUS - that is what the lawn has evolved into in our civilization. But many years ago there was originally a very functional reason for short grasses around structures.

Civil War? - 100s of years back from that. Our country is so young compared to most other cultures. And almost all cultural ideas of our country can be traced back to other countries in years long ago. :confused: Someone, somewhere had to come up with the idea of low growing grasses and mowing them. And they definitely did not mow with ZTRs. :D

Rodent control? - naw, I see mouse trails in turf mowed to only 2". Mice use chewed off grass blades for nesting, and use the path thru the grass to get to better food sources from the nest.

[Mykster]

grazing

[RayoVac]

Erosion Control ??

[garydale]

MUD ???

[ADMowing]

I TOLD you it was a long shot!!! :blush:

I can't wait to hear the answer!!! I'm still trying to figure it out!

:D

[scottb]

Defense

[f350]

air conditioning

[FrankenScagMachines]

So anyway, what IS the prize??
That's what I really wanna know before I stress myself out over figuring out the answer.













Oh, I know!
A butt kiss from you!
How nice!

















J/K!!!!!!!!!!!
But do tell me what it is?

[RayoVac]

O.K... here is my last shot...

The single word is SECURITY

The basis for this in the past 500 years or so was because when the rich and powerful lived in castles, they set animals to graze on the surrounding lands. This kept the meat on the hoof close to the walls, so it could be brought to safety in case of attack (and could provision the garrison and the nobles in case of siege). It also kept the surrounding terrain cleared so invaders couldn't sneak up on the castle.

Further back then that... The generally agreed-upon homelands of humankind lie in the region we call East Africa. There, the typical landscape is savanna, grass-covered plains punctuated with trees and islands of shrubs, dotted with occasional waterholes. For thousands upon thousands of years, our ancestors wandered this terrain, using trees for shelter and protection, visiting the water holes, and watching for big predators approaching through the grass. Thus, the shorter the grass, the better; fewer dangerous creatures could lurk in close-cropped grass. Our ancestors lived long enough to produce us because of the advantages of life on the lawn.

Lots of searching... and yes, of course a little more plagiarizim ;) Wow does my brain hurt... and thanks for the lesson!!! It was fun. :D

RayoVac

[GroundKprs]

DEFENSE is the word, but RayoVac gave the closest explanation. More tomorrow.

[Mykster]

Seems like Rayovac did some homework.

[LawnLad]

Originally posted by GroundKprs
I'm looking for a one word answer.:(

Bravo to RayoVac, nice book report. What ever happened to the one word answer requirement. Doesn't berevity win points? lol.

[Bob Minney]

hygiene

recreation

[GroundKprs]

This country was originally settled by European immigrants. In the Middle Ages of European history, castles and other settlements had to be defended from other agressors. A field of low growing grasses gave a notice of approaching enemy, and a great free range of fire, even for arrows and stones. If we could, we could probably go back even further in history to find the original use for defense. (But surely cave moms didn't worry about the kids tracking mud into the cave.)

Of course, in many areas of the world, any plot of grass will turn into a woods within 30-50 years, so the grass perimeter had to be hewn down on a regular basis so trees were not allowed to get started. The beginning of lawn mowing! Ever see a castle or fort in the middle of a woods?

Of course, during non-hostile times, this grass gave a great area for recreation, and getting outside the walls: how many sports do we have that are played on grass? The wealthier people of the late Middle Ages built free standing homes or estates, and these were surrounded by grass, as was the custom. The early settlers brought this custom to America.

But what should the lawn be in sincere landscape design and maintenance? :confused: Ponder that one now. Will start a new thread on that one in a few days. Bye.

[KirbysLawn]

...

[scottb]

When I wrote defense I rembered the first time this went on the board was a while back. Anything to do with History I seem to rember but never can rember to take out the trash.