The Quest For The Perfect Lawn

As the spring weather sets upon us you might just get a chance to reacquaint yourself with your neighbors that have been in hiding all winter.   Most weekend mornings you will likely hear the rev of lawn mowers and weed whackers as the annual "greenest lawn" race begins.  It is the unwritten competition between neighbors to have the "best" lawn on the block...a tradition carried from fathers to sons as time passes.  Sure the conversation may be friendly as they share a cup of coffee, but they are actually covertly observing each others crab grass, dandelions and brown spots.  Wondering how they can win the competition this year.  Do you have that neighbor that no matter what his lawn is always perfect?  The one who is always trimming and fertilizing and mowing the summer away?  Do you wonder exactly what is the obsession he has with his lawn?  Did they at one point bond when it was being installed?  I have a neighbor that is meticulous with his lawn.  Now mind you, my lawn isn't perfect but it is an average lawn.  However, I am sure he probably looks over and mumbles under his breath on occasion about living next to the Clampetts.  Especially when the dividing grass wall gets a little longer than four inches.  There are times that our yard work takes a back burner because we have three boys who have baseball games, soccer games, karate tournaments, swim lessons and so forth...usually all on the official "lawn maintenance" morning.  But the lawn gets tended to eventually.  We sometimes joke about this neighbor coming out with his yard stick and scissors to make sure the grass line is exactly 2 1/4".  If you have this neighbor, you know what I mean.  If you don't have this neighbor.....I suggest you take a good look at your lawn.....you might be this neighbor.  ;)  I propose forgoing the competition this year.  Who cares if you have some brown spots and a couple of dandelions.  Your six year olds in the neighborhood might want to pick them as gifts for their mom.  Give up the quest for the perfect lawn.  Instead get out and meet or reconnect with your neighbors.  Give each other a long deserved break from yard work.  Pull up lawn chair, have a donut and relax....the grass isn't always greener on the other side.