Lawns are the most irrigated “crop” in the U.S, covering approximately 40 million acres of land — twice as much as our national parks. They provide no nourishment to any species (except Japanese beetles), and they degrade the soil and watershed due to their shallow roots and the chemicals property owners use to kill weeds and insects and to maintain the color. While patches of lawn are useful for children and pets, most homeowners blanket their property with turf. The impact of this monoculture of lawn devastates the environment.

According to American Farmland Trust, over 31 million acres of U.S. farmland has been sold to developers since 1982. The USDA’s data shows that forested land has been the largest source of land development. Not coincidentally, the past six decades have seen a 40% decline in insect species, and a 50% reduction in bird species’ populations.

Most flowering plants and food crops need insects for pollination. Almost all of North America’s terrestrial bird species rely on insects for part of their diet. According to Doug Tallamy, professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware, “A single pair of breeding chickadees must find 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one clutch of young.” These caterpillars depend on native plants for nourishment. Neither lawn nor nonnative plants can do the job.

Homeowners have complete control over how they treat their property and can help reverse the trends facing our insects and birds.

How and where to begin? If you have the resources, consider hiring a native plant landscape designer. Regardless of whether you or someone else transforms your landscape, call Miss Utility before you dig any holes.

If you are doing this alone, start with a small area. Do you want to create a pollinator bed? A small meadow? A forest? Regardless of your vision, be sure that native plants make up most — if not all — of your new landscape. Remember, our birds need our insects, and our insects can only eat our native plants. One native dogwood tree (Cornus florida) for example, can support 117 of the caterpillars (Lepidoptera) that baby birds need, whereas the Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa) which dominates our landscapes supports zero. For more information on the best native plants for your area, view the websites for Homegrown National Park, Mt. Cuba Center and the National Wildlife Federation.

There are several ways to kill the turf. You can rent a sod cutter or use a flat-end shovel to cut out an area of turf, flip the turf over and start planting right away. A second approach is to cover the area with plain cardboard (free of color ink, wax and tape), soak it, cover with compost, and start planting. A third method is to cover the area with a clear plastic sheet, allow 6 to 8 weeks for the sun to solarize the area, remove the sheet, and start planting. One final approach is to mow the lawn as low as possible, cover it with 8 or more inches of mulch, wait several weeks until the grass underneath is dead, rake the mulch to the side, plant your plants and put back about 2 inches of mulch around the new plants.

Avoid landscape fabric and herbicides as both are harmful to soil health.

You can establish a pollinator bed quickly, especially if you plant enough plants to crowd out weeds. Purchasing plugs is the most affordable way to fill a garden bed. Research your plants. Know how tall and wide they can get. Incorporate plants that bloom at different times so that something is always in bloom and available to pollinators.

Establishing a meadow requires more planning than simply putting away your lawn mower. If you have an HOA, there may be rules about meadows. The University of Maryland Extension website has an excellent explanation for how to create a meadow (extension.umd.edu/resource/how-make-meadow).

Perhaps you want to add some trees to your landscape. One oak tree is the host plant for more than 500 caterpillars. If you don’t have space for an oak, numerous smaller native trees are available. Your yard will become a haven for native birds. Be sure to leave your fallen leaves for soft landings for the caterpillars.

Areas of lawn can be great for children and dogs. Why not give the rest of your lawn back to Mother Earth? In a world that can feel out of control, you have complete control over how you treat your property.

For questions on this subject or any gardening topic, call the Master Gardener Helpline: in New Castle County, 302-831-8862; in Kent County, 302-730-4000; and in Sussex County, 302-831-3389. For information about master gardener workshops, visit udel.edu/master-gardeners and click on Garden Workshops.