From Food Forests to Lawns: How America Chose Grass Over Gardens

Walk down almost any street in the U.S. and you’ll see a familiar sight: stretches of green grass, neatly mowed, not a vegetable in sight. But in many parts of the world, front yards are for food. Fruit trees, herbs, and vegetables grow right outside the door, feeding families every single day.

This didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of choices, marketing, and habits that shaped how we think about “home.” It is time to ask why we put so much energy into grass that feeds no one, while spending so much of our money at the store on food that grows out of the dirt.

Food comes from the earth. It should be free.

A Short History of the American Lawn

Lawns first appeared in Europe. Only the wealthiest families could afford to leave land unplanted. Grass was a symbol of status.

In the U.S., lawns became common after World War II. Suburbs expanded, lawn mowers were everywhere, and companies sold the dream of the perfect green yard. Soon, it was an expectation in many neighborhoods. But grass never filled a plate.

What Lawns Cost Us

• Water: Billions of gallons are used every day in the U.S.

• Chemicals: Fertilizers and pesticides wash into rivers and harm wildlife, and leach into the water table. 

• Time: Hours spent mowing and trimming, using billions of dollars in fuel. 

• Food: None of it feeds your family; it only uses valuable resources with NO return on investment. 

We work too hard to grow something we cannot eat. 

What Other Countries Do Differently

Around the world, families treat every bit of land as a resource. Mango trees in the yard. Sweet potatoes at the edge of the house. Herbs and greens growing alongside flowers. Food is woven into daily life.

This way of living is normal everywhere but in the U.S.. It is how most people still eat. And we can learn from it.

Introducing the “Yearden”

What if instead of a yard of grass, you had a yearden? A yard garden. Pull out those useless, resource-sucking plants and replace them with food. Fruit trees. Herbs. Berries. Greens. A yearden feeds your family, saves water, and gives back instead of taking.

Maybe even go as far as planting indigenous plants that will thrive in your environment without much more than is already provided. 

What is a Food Forest

A food forest is a garden designed to resemble natural ecosystems. It has layers that support each other:

• Trees: Apples, figs, citrus

• Shrubs: Berries, herbs

• Vines: Grapes, beans, blackberries

• Groundcovers: Strawberries, clover

• Roots: Carrots, onions, potatoes

It takes care of itself once it is established. It gives food, shade, and a home for pollinators.

How Kids Can Reimagine the Future

You do not need a whole backyard to start. A balcony, porch, or sunny window is enough. The first step is seeing the possibility. Are the flowers out front edible? 

Activity: Design Your Dream Yearden
Materials: paper, colored pencils, ruler

1. Choose a space at home or school

2. Sketch zones for sun and shade

3. Add layers of trees, herbs, greens, flowers, and roots

4. Think about pollinators and birds

5. Label each plant with where it will grow best

Ask: Which foods would your family eat first? How would you water it? Who would help take care of it?

Why This Matters

Kids who grow food see the world differently. They understand that food does not start in a package. They see the value of the land, even in a small yard. They build a lifelong relationship with nature.

We have a choice. Keep watering the grass, or start growing a yearden that feeds us.

Adapt Your Table
We grow the future together.