Please Remember to Trim your Bush

I absolutely detest yard work. Why is it still customary for houses to keep and maintain a lawn? I don't need it for grazing. It doesn't produce anything... except weekly work. I'm seriously considering switching to something that requires less maintenance or produces food. I know a lot of people in the Southwest have green gravel as a "yard." Now that's an idea. They don't have to mow or fertilize, and they can keep track of illegal immigrants crossing into the country by listening for crunching sounds.