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No-Mow

 Grass that grows to an exact height, then stops growing
 
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Forgive me if this idea has been baked somewhere and i'm unaware of it. Wouldn't it be great if you never had to mow your grass, or only once or twice a year? I think that someone, somewhere, in a genetic labratory, should genetically modify grass so that it can only physically grow to about 3". After that, it stops trying to grow. That way, anybody can plant the grass in thier lawn and sell their mower!
—Frogel, Oct 05 2002

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences newsletter (PDF) http://prohort.ifas...tters/CommApr01.PDF
(Page 6) "Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA have discovered a gene that acts as a control for plant height by restricting the activity of a growth hormone..." [phoenix, Oct 05 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004]

[link]






       a previous idea called "genetically modified grass" seems to have disappeared.
—po, Oct 05 2002
   

       Probably because it involved genetically modified grass.
—NickTheGreat, Oct 05 2002
   

       Po', Nickles,
Guys it is doughable. Perahaps, [frogel] research which plant species make a better choice for the genetic milkshake; 'mosses', 'foxtails' or maybe a 'wood fern' designed to grow as fronds without the "palmate." (assuming I said that correctly) It's 'okay' to end up with a product that is different from everyone's idea of a "grass" lawn covering. As long as it has the beauty and performs the functions you want. I expect to see this concept developed soon and marketed, so hurry.
P.S. I'm not sure if genetic adaptations are ally to baking here. The consistency of ideal ideas seem a little fuzzy so do.....
<fog rolls in and blankets thickly>
—hollajam, Oct 05 2002
   

       Not Baked, but in the oven (link). Any GM converts?
—phoenix, Oct 05 2002
   

       I was thinking this exact same thought for use in the Mower Digi-Art topic. Why would you want 3" height though. A more tasteful lawn could be achieved with a standard height of around .5" to 1".   

       And then it occured to me that grass is just one way of achieving a lawn. Many, many years ago lawns were often made of other herbs, such as camomile. This didn't grow terribly tall and gave off "delightful scents" when walking across them. Therefore I decided my idea was redundant and didn't post it.   

       So now you know. Class idea, but could be achieved by other means.
—PeterSilly, Oct 05 2002
   

       Oh, Silly Peter, lawns that are stunted of having such velvety texture of a minimum 3" cut are just that. Flat.   

       But a ground covering fabric of well groomed grasses left to grow a margine further become rich and suptle and can weave their grain direction in mesmerizing flows caressed by the wind and the sun....Oh, the inspiration coming...
—hollajam, Oct 05 2002
   

       //Our garden has grass similar to this - it grows to an exact height, then stops. From experience, the height in question seems to be approx 50cm +/- 10%.//I've seen this grass!
—thumbwax, Oct 05 2002
   

       Could just happen given enough time. I recently read an article about an increase of weeds that grow just under the height of lawnmower blades.   

       <Natural Selection at Work>
—BinaryCookies, Oct 06 2002
   

       [Binary Cookies] That would be evidence of a side shoot in "Thumbwaxian Theory": Survival of the Shortest.
—hollajam, Oct 06 2002
   

       "Nickles"? That's a new one... I like it, hj. <back-to-idea>
—NickTheGreat, Oct 06 2002
   

       "I couldn't resist putting, (Po') in front. Worked even better" <wink> giggles...
—hollajam, Oct 06 2002
   

       hj - it depends what you want to use the lawn for. My dad rarely cut his lawn, making it next to impossible for most of the year to do anything playful (kiddie-wise) in it. On the other hand I try to cut my lawn regularly, allowing all the junior Sillies to play ball and all sorts of other stuff.   

       3" grass is only nice to walk on for a while - closely mown grass is much easier and, generally, just as soft. Public parks tend to keep their grass under 2", and generally mow to around 1".   

       If, however, you wish to use your lawn for covert behaviour, then I'm not sure 3" will be anything like enough.
—PeterSilly, Oct 07 2002
   

       PS, That's what tree houses are for.
—hollajam, Oct 07 2002
   
      
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