Chemlawn
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A Chemlawn is a lawn maintained per the chemically-soaked green carpet-like aesthetic that was developed in the mid-20th century. Chemlawns are typically composed of weak, water-intensive grass varieties that require constant maintenance and upkeep. Landscapers often rely on synthetic fertilizer made from petrochemicals as well as toxic herbicides and pesticides.
They are ecologically damaging as they kill insects and other small invertebrates that birds and mammals depend on as food sources. The runoff from the fertilizer enters streams and watersheds and causes harmful algae blooms and oxygen depletion.[1] Chemlawns show very limited biodiversity.
The name probably originated from the Chemlawn company, based in Memphis, Tennessee, which somewhere along the line changed its name to TruGreen. It is now more commonly understood to apply to any similar lawns.
