Do you think a garden and a lawn are the same too? It’s okay. That’s not your fault. There is a popular misconception that they are the same as they are both denoted to space beside your house. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the same.
It’s easy to misunderstand this concept. After all, both of them denote the same space beside a house. Since you’re here, I guess you want to change that and know the difference between a garden and a lawn.
Don’t worry. Rest assured, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading this article as I explain all the possible facts and differences between lawns and gardens.
What Is the Difference Between a Lawn and a Garden? [Differences]
The main difference between a garden and a lawn is related to the components of the place, such as what you plant, cultivate, or look at.
You can plant different flowers, herbs, shrubs, and so on in a garden. If you fill the piece of land with only various types of grasses, then it will be a lawn.
What are Lawns and Gardens?
You might have an overall idea since I’ve already discussed the main differences. But there is more to them than what I’ve already shown.
So, before examining the differences, you need a proper idea of what they are. What defines a lawn? And what defines a garden? I’ll give you a description of what they are before discussing their differences.
What is a lawn?
An area that is covered with soil and different types of grass, moss, and other plants maintained at a short height is called a lawn.
The height of the plants is only as much as allowed when you use a lawnmower. Commonly, everyone plants only different types of grasses.
Maintaining such lawns is difficult because grasses commonly attract weeds and pests. So, you must clean, control pests, and do other maintenance work regularly to conserve their color and health.
Lawns are any grassy space around houses, offices, commercial buildings, or apartments. Sometimes, lawns can also be found in different parks or other recreational spots.
The concept of ‘Lawns’ started in the 16th century. The lawn creates an aesthetic environment around the constructed buildings. So, it makes a scope of interaction with nature. Besides that, it creates a refreshing environment around the house.
What is a Garden?
A garden is a particular space–preferably outdoors–used to plant different kinds of vegetation and cultivate them. Normally, a garden is a decorated place where you can relax. It can also connect you with nature.
A garden can be man-made or natural. Nowadays, the most common form of garden is the residential garden.
If you don’t have a space in front of your apartment building, the residential gardens can be on your balcony or your apartment terrace.
Have you ever visited a zoo? Of course you have! A zoo is a place where various types of wild animals are displayed.
Did you know the zoo was once called a type of garden? During the 20th century, everyone knew zoos as zoological gardens. That zoological garden is the zoo you and I see today.
Western people, however, think gardens are spaces decorated with plants. They think of the garden as a short form of a botanical garden. In the eastern areas, there are Zen gardens.
Those are special types of gardens that use a few plants. People around those gardens use plants as little as possible. If they can, they use no plants at all.
There are also some food-producing gardens, which look like Low-Key farms. The flower garden is the most popular among them.
You can decorate a garden with any type of vegetation, such as follies, herbs, shrubs, creepers, ferns, and so on. Proper plantation of this vegetation in proper order can make your land look more attractive.
Using fountains, swings, or ponds will also enhance the look of your gardens manifold. So, a garden is used for only ornamental purposes.
Another positive side of having a garden is that you can make it anywhere you want—indoors or outdoors, you name it!
You can decorate outdoor gardens with fountains, ponds, or other items. Indoor gardens will enhance the look of your house from the inside.
Differences in a Nutshell…
Overall, their explanation reveals some major differences between a lawn and a garden. Let me present those differences in a table for your convenience.
| Lawn | Garden |
| 1. A portion of land beside a building filled with short plants like grasses or moss | 1. A fixed space for planting different plants and vegetation |
| 2. Filled with grasses or mosses | 2. Filled with different kinds of plants |
| 3. Can exist only outdoors | 3. Can exist in both indoors and outdoors |
| 4. Consist of natural land | 4. They do not necessarily need natural land |
| 5. Cannot occur without grasses or similar-sized vegetation | 5. Can occur even if there are no plants or very few plants [example: Zen gardens] |
| 6. No other type of decorator used | 6. Other decorations like ponds, fountains, etc., can be used |
| 7. There are no types of lawns | 7. Can be of various types according to the origin of identity |
| 8. Fewer facilities of recreation | 8. More facilities for recreation |
| 9. Cannot be a source of hobby | 9. Can be a source of hobby |
| 10. More prone to weeds and insects | 10. They are less prone to weeds and insects |
| 11. Maintenance is hard work | 11. Maintenance is comparatively easy |
| 12. Moderate interaction with nature | 12. High interaction with nature |
Final Words
Although a garden and a lawn are very similar, there are some slight differences in their concepts, places of occurrence, maintenance, and so on.
I’ve described everything you need to know in detail. Now, you can use this knowledge to design your lawn or garden however you like.
Since you’re reading this part, I’m guessing you’ve read everything mentioned. Thank you for sticking with it to the end!
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