As Arizona faces drought and intense heat, the city in Scottsdale has banned natural grass in the front yards of newly built homes in an effort to conserve water. The measure was supported unanimously by the Scottsdale City Council and will apply to single-family homes constructed or permitted after Aug. 15. “By adopting this ordinance,…

Q: I am a Master Gardener trained through my state university’s extension service. The instructors said during my training that the information was based on research and not marketing. I want to plant a large area of grass seed in my yard, but I am having trouble finding what I need. The Master Gardener training…

The history of the American lawn was driven by technology, desire for social status, and marketing. Its roots are in the estate gardens of the Middle Ages. In the U.S., green, weed-free lawns were rarely seen before the late 19th century. Prior to this, the front yards of rural U.S. homes featured “gardens” of packed…