gazon

Gazon is a term used for a cultivated lawn or turf: a ground cover of grasses kept short for aesthetics, recreation, or sports. It is common around homes, parks, and sports facilities and is shaped by mowing, irrigation, fertilization, and soil management. The concept appears in many temperate and subtropical regions, with local variations in grass choice and maintenance.

The word gazon is of French origin and denotes turf or lawn; in several languages it refers to the same landscape feature.

A gazon typically consists of one or more grass species chosen for climate, sun exposure, and soil. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and fine fescues are common in northern regions. Warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), Zoysia, centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides), and St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) predominate in warmer areas. Some lawns use legumes like clover as companions or alternatives.

Maintenance includes mowing at a height appropriate to the species, deep and infrequent irrigation, and balanced fertilization. Aeration and periodic dethatching help maintain soil structure and root health. Weed control, pest and disease monitoring, and timely renovation—via reseeding or overseeding—are common practices.

Environmental considerations: lawns can demand substantial water and inputs. Sustainable approaches favor drought-tolerant species, efficient irrigation, and reduced chemical use. Alternatives to traditional gazon include native grasses, ground covers, or meadow plantings that require less maintenance and support biodiversity.