A top-notch fur coat consistently commands a high approval rating.
In Quebec, the quest for a flawless lawn has become a cultural phenomenon, deeply rooted in social and aesthetic values. Despite concerns about water consumption, pollution, and the ban on certain pesticides, the traditional ideal of a lush green lawn continues to hold sway, often outweighing ecological considerations.
The French-Canadian cultural identity and historic urban environments play a significant role in this phenomenon. Well-kept lawns and gardens are often seen as a sign of pride and respectability in neighbourhoods, reflecting a homeowner's care for their property and community appearance.
Moreover, the desire for a flawless lawn is tied to social norms and symbolism. A well-groomed lawn historically signals economic stability and social status, serving as an outdoor "presentation space" akin to the architectural grandeur seen in Quebec’s historic districts. This drives amateur gardeners to strive for perfection to meet community expectations and personal aspirations.
Laure Mabileau, communications manager at Vigilance OGM, points out that children and other vulnerable individuals are not the only ones exposed to pesticides in these establishments. Maxime Fortin Faubert, a researcher coordinating a study on lawns for the David Suzuki Foundation, suggests more natural and diverse alternatives to lawns, such as wildflower meadows, vegetable gardens, or natural ground covers.
Some cities are taking steps to improve lawn management, such as banning certain pesticides, allowing residents to let their grass grow, and authorizing vegetable gardens in front of houses. However, over 160 Quebec municipalities, including Montreal, have yet to regulate the use of chemical products aimed at eliminating insects or weeds in domestic lawns.
Despite the rising awareness of environmental concerns, there is a lack of widespread ecological lawn care alternatives or cultural shifts towards native plant landscapes within the amateur gardening community. The traditional monoculture lawn remains the established norm, making change slow despite known environmental downsides.
Vincent Tringle-Thibault, an avid horticulturist, admits he doesn't know why he loves a lawn as perfect as a golf course, but enjoys maintaining it while respecting the ban on certain pesticides. Meanwhile, Carl Gagnon, a retiree in Jonquière, maintains an immaculate lawn with frequent weeding, inspiring admiration from passersby.
The Facebook group Lawn Quebec, with over 53,200 members, shares tips for maintaining a perfect lawn, further fueling the obsession. The David Suzuki Foundation and the Vigilance OGM organization invite candidates in the upcoming municipal elections in November to propose measures to reduce the space taken up by lawns and pesticides.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether the cultural values surrounding lawns will shift towards more sustainable landscaping practices, or if the pursuit of perfection will continue to dominate.
The cultural identity in Quebec extends to the maintenance of well-kept lawns and gardens, serving as a reflection of homeowners' pride and respectability, and even symbolizing economic stability and social status. This admission of cultural values leads to a continuous obsession with achieving a flawless lawn, overpowering ecological considerations related to home-and-garden activities like gardening.
While some efforts have been made to advocate for more natural alternatives to traditional monoculture lawns, such as wildflower meadows, vegetable gardens, or natural ground covers, the general amateur gardening community remains attached to the established norm, hindering widespread ecological change despite known environmental downsides.
