A lousy way to stop mowing

How lazy are Americans getting? Instead of mowing their lawns they are paving them. If you really hate the land that mouch, why not just move into a condo?

Lawn and garden sales have been declining for the past three years, according to the group. Sales totaled $35.2 billion in 2005, down 4% from the year before. And it's not just the wiggy weather: Many homeowners are aging, says Butterfield, or are simply wearying of maintaining elaborate plantings or competing with the neighbors for the showiest roses.

Of course, this cause more flooding downstream and contributes to the heat island effect. Some towns have talked about an impervious surface tax that would at least cover the costs that this behaviour passes on to the town and neighbors. Would a mowing service be cheaper than that? Probably. But the resistance would be fierce in the same communtites where the impacts are the greatest.