A MUM-of-four has won an award for having the ugliest lawn in the world.
Kathleen Murray’s bandicoot-ravaged garden beat off a host of unattractive ones from across the globe, including entries from the UK, US, Canada and Germany
Jam Press/Gotland/World’s UgliesKathleen Murray has won an award for having the world’s ugliest garden[/caption]
Jam Press/Gotland/World’s UgliesThe mum’s lawn has been ravaged by Bandicoots – small Australian marsupials[/caption]
Kathleen, of Sandford, in Tasmania, Australia said her garden looks like a “real-life Hungry Hungry Hippo game”.
Her lawn has shrivelled plants, large divots, and sparse patches of dry grass.
She said: “The bandicoots love digging, that’s how they find their favourite food.
“I also have an echidna that helps, and some chooks.
“Now my back yard looks like a real-life Hungry Hungry Hippo game.”
The competition was organised by the authorities on Gotland Island, Sweden.
It was first launched two years ago to encourage islanders to conserve water during a severe drought period.
This year, the contest went global, with participants entering from the four corners of the world.
After coming out on top, Kathleen was awarded with a pre-owned T-shirt that said: “Proud owner of the World’s Ugliest Lawn.”
She stated: “I used to think the bandicoots were wildlife of mass destruction, invading my lawn.
“Now I see that they’ve actually liberated me from ever having to mow it again.”
Kathleen – who has four teen kids – added: “I’m all for guilt-free weekends, especially since my ex-husband left with the lawnmower back in 2016.”
Gotland officials said the contest, along with other measures, has helped to reduce water consumption by 5%.
Municipality spokesperson Mimmi Gibson explained: “It’s a gentle way to nudge people into action and it automatically turns you into a climate hero by not doing anything.
“We need to start the conversation on how to save water.”
Gibson added: “All entries were hideous and well worthy of winning, but the winning entry was really, really bad.”
Jam Press/Gotland/World’s UgliesKathleen with her tee-shirt prize for coming top[/caption]
Jam Press/Gotland/World’s UgliesPesky animals peck at her unkept lawn[/caption]
Jam Press/Gotland/World’s UgliesKathleen says her garden looks like a ‘real-life Hungry Hungry Hippo game’[/caption]
GettyBandicoots use their long snouts and feet to poke for holes.[/caption]