Topic: Lawns and Grasses

Change Agent Restoring US native prairies, acre by acre, yard by yard

Across the US Midwest, homeowners are restoring their yards and former farmland to the native prairie that existed in pre-settlement days. The benefits can be substantial — the need for less water and no fertilizer, and an ecosystem that supports wildlife.

We are descended from bark chewers, 2 million-year-old fossil reveals (+video)

By analyzing teeth and carbon remains from isotopes from fossil specimen Australopithecus sediba, German scientists discovered early humanity chewed bark.

Wimbledon 101: What you need to know

A short look at some interesting facts and figures on the British tennis championships.

Mitt Romney gaffes: 11 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up

In politics, a gaffe is often described as a "truth told by accident." Mitt Romney has had relatively few of them during his time in politics, but lately, the former governor of Massachusetts has had a bunch. The most recent: a leaked video that shows Mr. Romney dismissing President Obama’s supporters as ‘victims,’ dependent on government. The video stoked criticism of how the candidate’s unforced errors are preempting debate on Mr. Obama’s record, especially on jobs and the economy. Here’s a list of the most memorable verbal missteps.

Drought in Texas: a parable

A good example of how pricing needs to reflect the availability of resources

Hakone grass: A cascading ornamental grass brightens the garden

Nothing brightens the shady spots in a garden better than cascading Hakone grass, also known as Japanese forest grass.

Declare your lawn independence

A gardener makes the case for turning 25 percent of the lawn into a more natural habitat. Independence Day weekend is a good time to think about why this is a good idea.

A small water feature makes a big impact with the right plants

The plants make all the difference in this attractive water feature.

Meg Whitman and the perils of employing illegal help: six memorable cases

Meg Whitman, California GOP gubernatorial candidate, is alleged to have employed a housekeeper from 2000 to 2009 even though she knew the woman was in the US illegally. It's a political bombshell for Ms. Whitman. The politics of household employment and immigration have proved tricky before. Here are six prominent cases, plus the allegations against Whitman.

Gulf oil spill biggest victims are the smallest creatures

Gulf oil spill has affected nature in many ways, but it's the tiny organisms at the bottom of the food chain that are getting hit the hardest.

BP oil spill: How to save wetlands? Set them on fire, maybe.

The BP oil spill is moving into Louisiana's wetlands – a worst-case scenario for wildlife and the fishing industry. There is no perfect solution, scientists say, but a controlled burn is one option.

Lake life: taking lessons from the local inhabitants

Learning to fly, the art of self-defense, confidence – lake life offers daily lessons.

Interest in organic lawn care is growing

Growing numbers of homeowners are turning to organic lawn care.

Money-saving strategies for your yard and garden

Follow these sure-fire strategies to keep your landscape from wilting, even if your budget is.

Earth's growing nitrogen threat

It helps feed a hungry world, but it's worse than CO2.

Dogwood shrubs ensure a colorful winter landscape

Dogwood shrubs with colorful red or yellow branches liven up a winter landscape.

Get rid of your lawn

Everything you need to know about lawn care

A few mowing tips to keep your lawn healthy and pretty.

Got too much lawn?

Native grasses help reclaim Arizona wastelands

When growing conditions are tough – high winds, single-digit humidity, alkaline soils, drought, and temperature extremes – grasses turn land to green in summer and gold in fall.

Make room for ornamental grasses

Colorful and quick-growing grasses add style to landscapes.

Native grasses an explosive idea for cleaning contaminated soil

It's green, but is it grass?

A gardener surveys her patchy suburban lawn and decides to let the plant life fight its own turf wars.

How climate change may be threatening national parks

Thriving forest pests and melting glaciers may make parks a warning system for climate change effects.