UM Campus Landscaping

UM landscaping is instrumentally characteristic of turfgrass. The choice of turfgrass and the reason that it was used in the landscaping of the school are not clear though there are some general issues especially in institutions that make turf grass to be chosen as a priority over natural and native plants. One of the reasons that turfgrass could have been chosen for the landscape of the campus is because of its ability to tolerate traffic and to do away with mowing. In my view, turf grass is not a bad choice for an institution to use It should however be used with moderation because its overuse does not just not create a monotony but makes the landscape unappealing. I believe that the UM campus has overused the turfgrass in the landscape of the campus which makes the landscape to look monotonous and unappealing because there is very little of nature that is seen in the landscape of the campus because of the overuse of turfgrass in the landscape. There is, therefore, need to change the landscaping of UM campus 

One of the challenges of overusing turf grass in landscaping is that it is relatively short.  A campus landscape is, however, one that derives so much meaning from diversity. The size of the turfgrass in the institution, therefore, makes the whole campus look like just buildings that have been developed on a mass of green land with very little of nature being seen apart from the turf green grass. For this purpose, therefore, I deem that the turfgrass has created so much monotony in the school. It has made the campus to have very little of other items that are depicted in nature. For instance, even when there are native plants in the compound, they are very few. The large mass of , therefore, overshadows them making the environment look monotonous.

Beyond the general outlook, the landscape of a school is one that needs to have plants that at least control the temperatures. Indeed a campus ought to be developed such that there are plants that are tall enough and where people can seek shelter below. However, the matter is different with the turfgrass at the campus. Because it is way short turf grass does not have a cooling effect even when the temperature is way high (“The Cool-Season Turfgrasses: Basic Structures, Growth And Development”). Indeed, whenever it is hot, turfgrass has a way of absorbing the heat making the environment around it feel hot. There is, therefore, need to reduce the amount of turf grass at the institution.

The other challenge of the turfgrass at the campus is that it is extensive such that it occupies a large mass of land denying a good runway for rainwater.  Whenever it rains the pathways across the turfgrass at the school are still wet hours after the rain has stopped. It, therefore, means that the turfgrass is less effective in directing the flow of water because it exists as a single mass. Seeing that many people walk around the campus after it has rained, it would be necessary for the school to consider them and their wellness while at the university. The , therefore, ought to be removed especially in areas where there are pathways.

If the organization thought of native plants and rain gardens, the landscape would not just look more appealing, but it would also enhance the environment around the school. Native plants are environmentally friendly in that they are inclusive of trees palms shrubs, vines, and flowers. Most of them grow tall, and hence they can be necessary for providing shade (William 237).  People using the institution need shade to calm when they are on their break time or whenever they are relaxing. In any case, the diversity that is showed by naïve plants makes an environment look beautiful and greener. Nature is, therefore, more depicted when native plants are used.  The use of rain gardens would also be instrumental especially when addressing the issue of water flow (Butler, Butler and Orians 8). Rain gardens allow water to flow off the edges, unlike turf grasses. The use of native plants and rain gardens would therefore not just necessarily show increase biofiltration and enhance a cooler environment around the school. The use of native plants and rain garden will, therefore, transform the outlook of the institution instrumentally.

In conclusion, though the landscape of UM campus cannot be said to be bad, the overuse of the turfgrass makes the landscape to look monotonous an unimpressive. There is, therefore, need to revise outlook of the landscape by reducing the amount of turfgrass coverage in the institution. As an institution of higher learning, UM should have a landscape that shows an appreciation of nature. Use of native plants and rain gardens in a more impressive manner will change the outlook of the school making the institution look more natural, enhance the temperature conditions and also ensure better flow of rainwater. The turfgrass does not need to be ridden off but should only be minimized.

Works Cited

“The Cool-Season Turfgrasses: Basic Structures, Growth And Development.” Penn State Extension. N.p., 2019. Web. 29 Jan. 2019.

Butler, Colleen, Erin Butler, and Colin M. Orians. “Native plant enthusiasm reaches new heights: Perceptions, evidence, and the future of green roofs.” Urban forestry & urban greening11.1 (2012): 1-10.

William, Marsh. “Landscape Planning: Environmental Application.” 5th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2010). p. 237.