Australian Groundskeeper Crowned Winner of World's Ugliest Lawn Competition
In a surprising twist of horticultural fate, a professional groundskeeper from regional Victoria has achieved international recognition for cultivating what judges have declared the world's ugliest lawn. Jarno Coone, who manages extensive school grounds by day, has embraced a completely hands-off approach to his own front yard in Kyneton, resulting in a wild, untamed landscape that has captured global attention.
The Path to Imperfection: Never Watering and Letting Nature Reign
When Coone and his family moved into their property approximately thirteen years ago, they inherited a conventional plush green lawn. Today, that same space has transformed into a tangled ecosystem of native grasses, weeds, and scattered small trees that stands waist-high in places. The remarkable transformation required no special techniques or equipment—just a simple philosophy of non-intervention.
"I leave it to nature. I've never watered it," Coone explains, revealing the straightforward secret behind his award-winning landscape. This approach has created a patchwork of dry and green areas that competition judges described with colourful comparisons, noting it looked "like kids' hair after a lice treatment gone horribly wrong" and appeared as though "they've obviously not spent any money on it."
From Swedish Concept to Global Conservation Movement
The World's Ugliest Lawn competition originated on the Swedish island of Gotland as a creative stunt to promote water conservation awareness. Now in its third year, the initiative has gained international traction, with Southern Hemisphere entries consistently dominating the competition. Previous winners have included parched, pock-marked lawns from Sandford, Tasmania and Birdlings Flat in New Zealand.
Coone's victory represents more than just a quirky achievement—it embodies a growing movement toward sustainable land management. "It's a great idea, not only for water conservation, but conservation of resources in general and living with nature," he emphasizes, highlighting the broader environmental significance behind the competition's humorous premise.
Professional Groundskeeper with Unconventional Home Approach
The irony of Coone's achievement isn't lost on anyone familiar with his professional responsibilities. As property manager for the independent Candlebark and Alice Miller school, he oversees 1,100 acres of carefully maintained bushland. He anticipates the students will find particular amusement in learning that the person responsible for their school grounds also cultivates the world's ugliest lawn.
Despite potential neighbourly disapproval—some residents worry the tall grass might harbour snakes, though Coone notes the lack of water makes this unlikely—the groundskeeper remains quietly proud of his unconventional achievement. His prize, a third-hand commemorative T-shirt sent by last year's winner Leisa Elliott, will be worn with pride when he shares the news at the school's morning meeting.
Wildlife Thrives in Unkempt Urban Sanctuary
While human aesthetics might favour neatly trimmed lawns, local wildlife has enthusiastically embraced Coone's natural approach. Birds, bees, and bats frequent the property without concern for visual appeal, while butterflies—including painted ladies and yellow admirals—particularly appreciate the long grass and nettles.
"They're fun to watch in the evening, just flying around, catching insects," Coone says of the microbats that visit his front yard at dusk. Urban ecologists confirm that such untidy spaces often provide superior habitat, with twigs, leaves, and bark offering essential materials for nest-building and shelter.
Coone articulates the ecological logic behind his approach: "It stands to reason that if you let nature do what it wants to do with the grass and let it grow, and seed and fulfil its life cycle, then obviously it's going to provide more habitat than something that's cut down every weekend."
Reclaiming Time and Prioritising Natural Observation
Beyond environmental benefits, Coone's method represents a philosophical shift in how we engage with our immediate surroundings. The endless cycle of lawn maintenance—watering, mowing, and grooming—consumes significant time and resources that could be redirected toward more meaningful activities.
"Instead of mowing your lawn, you're probably doing better by just going for a bush walk and observing and seeing what you see. That's probably a much better usage of time," he suggests, advocating for a more observant, less interventionist relationship with natural spaces.
As climate concerns intensify and water scarcity becomes increasingly pressing, Coone's award-winning approach offers both practical conservation benefits and a refreshing perspective on what constitutes valuable landscape management. His world's ugliest lawn serves as a living testament to the beauty that emerges when we step back and allow nature to follow its own course.
