NASA scientist estimated that turf grass is the single-largest irrigated crop in the United States,

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0404-greener_grass_less_water.htm


Lawns are the single-largest irrigated crop in the United States, three-times more than corn (Only 15% of the nations corn crop is irrigated_JW). Milesi cringed at the waste of such a precious resource. So, she used census data, satellite images, and aerial photographs to estimate how much turf grass was in the 48 contiguous states. Then, she applied a computer simulation that revealed the environmental impact based on care of the grass.

and our lush, green golf courses!

But at least Ocotillo is watered centrally with reclaimed sewage water. Smells a bit nasty, and was hell with the pool when the sprinkler malfunctioned and flooded the back, but better than ground water.

No need for fertilizer either :), and I have never put any pesticides on it.

They are a zone for controlling pests, like fleas, ticks, mice etc. That is an important function, in my view, but as with many other solutions to common problems, due to increased population aggregating the negatives we need to revisit the original problem and find a more benign solution.

It's people who insist on flawless, smooth lawns (or golf courses -- and the best golf greens collect bigger fee$$$$) who rely most heavily on chemicals. If you just want to keep pests away, grow anything, just keep it trimmed.

"but as with many other solutions to common problems, due to increased population aggregating the negatives we need to revisit the original problem and find a more benign solution."

Heartily agree. It has been said that "tradition is a set of answers to which we have forgotten the questions". The person who said this meant it to sound very wise. I think it would sound wiser as "tradition is a set of answers, which may no longer work, to questions which we have forgotten, and which may no longer be meaningful".

very nice climate-controlled environment to thrive in.

Trust me on this.

your point is well taken, but the most common such donors are rodents and wildlife.

It's a logical bank shot.

Ctenocephalides fleas. They thrive here in the San Fernando Valley because of all the nice lawns. They are not native to the area, but were introduced with out companion animals, and therefore are a consideration.

I think my original point stands, though, lawns serve the purpose of controlling pests and vermin - including fleas. The tradition of lawns is associated with English gardens and the aesthetic values that grew out of them.

great but isn't worth the water and energy that it cost. But, it doesn't matter what we say now, in the near future it will become an obvious that the grass has got to go.

In areas facing real problems with water, like the desert SW, it is already an accomplished fact. But in areas with more rainfall, the problem is more related to nonpoint source nitrogen contamination of watersheds. We've tightened up the point source contributors, but we still have significant problems with algae growth and oxygen depletion in our waterways that is directly tied to lawn fertilizers and inefficient septic systems.
There is a fair amount of work that has been done studying the issue.

I mean, I have grass. But it's on it's own in the water/rainfall department.

People who want to help with water conservation and nitrogen runoff should plant native grasses and enjoy a natural yard. Use seed or seed mixes that are well suited for your area. You can buy grasses for a variety of climate types and end up doing less work maintaining it in the process. It takes a little getting used to though; it is not going to be a uniform lush thick carpet of the same color green.

I never water the lawn and I don't put fertilizer or weed killer on it either. In fact I would say a large percent of our yard of a little over an acre is broad leaf, weeds :-) Theres probably a dozen or more different kinds of grasses and weeds in all.

Many quality grasses develop thick and good root systems that do not need watering every day but maybe every month if there is no rain.

I have always hated lawns, even as a kid. Never understood the whole concept of them.

Now that I have my own home, my whole front yard is slowly turning into a fruit, vegetable and flower garden.

put an apiary in the backyard and several rain barrels and away you go!