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The Culture Behind the American Lawn

Shane Adams
/
Creative Commons

Hissing sprinklers, humming mowers, buzzing weed whackers: the quintessential sounds of summer are also symbols of an American mission -- to craftthe so-called “perfect lawn.”

This hour, we trace the history of American lawn culture and explore some of the latest turf trends. From trimming, to fertilizing, to xeriscaping, we want to hear from you. How do you care for your lawn during these hot, dry summer months? 

Later, we also hear about aglobal programthat’s helping protect some backyard visitors -- our local birds.

GUESTS:

  • Dr. Ted Steinberg - Adeline Barry Davee Distinguished Professor of History and Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University; author of several books, including American Green: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn
  • Tom Christopher - Horticulturist and sustainable lawn consultant; his new book is called Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change
  • Andrew McGill - Senior associate editor at The Atlantic
  • Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe - Important Bird Area Program Coordinator for Audubon Connecticut

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Lucy Nalpathanchil and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.

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