Grass vs Plants

I just had one of my brilliant ideas ... which in the past have not always turned out to be so brilliant, but this is a brillant plan.

I have been following a debate http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/08/guest-week-shawna-coronado/comments/page/3/#comments which has made me think. We spend an awful amount on maintaining our lawns, but to what end? Yes a nice piece of weed free grass looks nice, but a perfectly manicured lawn takes lots of effort, time, money and in many cases chemicals. Chemicals which often have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment and wildlife.

Do we spend the same amount of time, effort and money on our flowering shrubs, fruit trees and vegetables?

Well I am going to find out.  I have a small lawn, a large vegetable patch, a tiny orchard (if a couple of apple trees constitutes an orchard - it sounds posh anyway!!!) and 3 flowering boarders, which have been interplanted with various fruit bushes.  Plus too many pots to count, containing various herbs, roses, shrubs etc etc.

I am going to calculate the amount of money and estimate the time and effort used to maintain different areas of the garden and see if maintaining a lawn is viable.  Will keep you posted  -  the results will be interesting in any event.