Turf Steals Time, Money, Creativity, and Biodiversity… Why would we let it?
February 2026. By Kris Anderson: They say freedom isn’t free – and that’s certainly true. Yet, in LA, we can get paid to secure it for ourselves and our neighbors. Elevated Cash for Grass programs will now fund $3-5 per sqft for homeowners and $9 per sqft in multifamily, commercial and public spaces with extra love for those planting trees.
While the rebates are nice, it’s the freedom we want to help you secure. Here’s what that looks like at home and in community.
At Home
With one simple decision, LA homeowners can earn freedom from allergens, mind-numbing noise, boring aesthetics, toxic chemicals, and monotonous, repetitive tasks. Getting rid of a turf grass lawn is profoundly freeing… and beautiful!
It’s not just about freedom-from, of course, it’s about the freedom-to of lawn-free life. Our clients consistently describe turf-freedom as more peaceful, quiet, and open. The ways they use the freed-up time, money, and attention are as diverse as LA itself. How would you use an extra 62 hours a year? An extra $3500? Once that dream is clear, picking the lawn alternative that will work for you is easy-breezy.
and installation of the Authentic Foothill Gardens.
In Commercial + Public Landscapes
While the freedom gained at home is meaningful, the ability of lawn-free spaces to support communities astounds even us. The right landscape can increase consumers’ willingness to travel to you, the time people linger in a space, and average spending per visit. As it that weren’t enough, sustainable landscapes have also been shown to boost productivity, concentration, and sales.
Authentic Foothill Gardens
Authentic Foothill Gardens
As with everything else in life, the more in-it-together we are, the greater the result. The IdealMow Meadows and other lawn-free spaces of the Authentic Foothill Gardens at Sierra Madre City Hall helped the city navigate a budget crisis and the recovery of their groundwater table. Better still, trails and ever-blooming delights entice the community to wander, enjoy and gather in these public spaces.
It’s not magic. We all feel better in cool, chemical-free spaces that feel sheltered. We return to where we experience awe, felt-safety and acceptance. We all need more of that right now. We all need more of that always.
