In recent years the pandemic has changed daily life all over the world. More people are spending time at home and putting more attention on their lawn and landscaping. Since 2019, home ownership among the US population has increased to 71%, therefore increasing consumers purchasing lawn care and landscaping essentials. It is becoming increasingly popular for residential consumers to ditch grass lawns for eco-friendly, practically useful, and visually attractive alternatives.
Gardens
Many homeowners, and even some renters, have started growing their own produce at home. With supply shortages and rising grocery store prices, it has become a great time to become more self-sufficient. Home gardening has many benefits,
both physical and mental. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that can be easily grown by beginners in almost any backyard, and installing gardens in areas that have previously been grass on a lawn maximizes the use of the space. Home gardening also helps the environment by lowering pollution due to produce shipping and can be stress relief and exercise for consumers.
Wildflower Meadow
Another popular and
beneficial alternative to a grass lawn is a wildflower meadow. Wildflower roots go deep into the soil and weave together, hold nutrients and water in the ground, making it more fertile in the future. The blooms support insect life, especially butterflies and bees, which have been in danger for many years now.
Turning a backyard into a wildflower meadow helps the environment and requires very little upkeep. Not only does it save insects and save the consumer time but also brings natural beauty and enjoyment to a space previously occupied by grass.
Alternative Ground Covering
An easy grass alternative option is another ground covering plant, such as moss, clover, or a variety of creeping plants. Many of these options require either no upkeep or minimal upkeep, support the ecosystem, and are suitable for walking, lounging, and playing on. Some even have beautiful blooms and scents to enhance the consumers landscaping.
It is said that necessity drives innovation, but in today’s culture convenience is a major factor in development. Consumers are opting to replace high maintenance and low reward grass lawns with low maintenance and high reward grass lawn alternatives, making their spaces more personal and enjoyable. As home ownership rises and lawn care interest increases, these grass alternative trends will continue to grow and develop. If you would like to learn more about the lawn care and landscaping product market, please see Freedonia Group’s recent report, “
Lawn Care Consumer Insights”.