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Grass covers more land in the US than any other crop.

It's estimated that there's up to three times more acres of lawns than corn, according to 

Homeowners use up to 10 times more chemical pesticides on per acre on their yards compared to what farmers use on their crops, according to the 

Pets, lawn fertilizer pose big threats to Mississippi River in Twin Cities

  found that nearly 80 percent of those surveyed watered their grass and 64 percent used fertilizer. 

 that just under one-third of water from public sources goes toward landscaping — with over half of all outdoor water being used on grass. 

The American obsession with lawns has its roots in 18th century England where open areas with big trees made the landscape "picturesque." 

, who is considered the "Father of landscape architecture" in the U.S., democratized English landscapes with the idea that open lawn space should be in front of each residence and their beauty can be shared with passersby. 

"This is deep in the DNA of our democratic outlook on land in this country," 

, University of Michigan Professor of landscape architecture told MPR Chief Meteorologist 

From there an obsession was born, which fuels what is now a 

"We know that the degree of perfection that we came to expect of turf and our lawns in the 20th century was really different from when this aesthetic and this way of maintaining urban landscapes arose more than 100 years before," Nassauer said. 

"That degree of perfection relies on fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and, very importantly, irrigation," she added. "All of those inputs have environmental effects, and then add to that the carbon emissions from the fossil fuel based machines we use to cut grass and blow leaves."

One hour of using a gasoline powered lawn mower can emit as much air 

Nassauer suggests taking a page from your grandparents or great-grandparents and limiting the use of inputs like fertilizer, herbicides and gas-powered tools from your lawn care routine. 

"A useful way to think about this is not so much an alternative to lawns, but as combinations with mown turf with other kinds of covers," Nassauer said. 

She suggested scaling back turf and replacing those areas with prairie grass gardens and low shrubs. 

"There's lots of room for play," Nassauer said.  

How to be less of a jerk to the environment

Another idea is to create a low area in your lawn far from your house, and let it puddle up now and then after a rainstorm. She says that will enhance carbon storage in the soil. 

Huttner recommends letting nature do some of the work for you, and skipping the sprinkler when storms are ahead.

When it comes to making changes in your yard, baby steps can lead to big results. Strive for improvements every season.

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Grass is the most widely grown crop in the US, and it's responsible for using an incredible amount of resources including water, pesticides and herbicides.

Why is it that Americans are so obsessed with their green lawns? And what is this cultural infatuation doing to the environment? MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner spoke to professor Joan Nassauer about lawns, and alternatives to green sod.

Climate Cast: Grass isn't always 'greener'

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