Climate Crisis could be diminished if we all stop mowing our lawns. Yes, it’s true! The use of petrol-powered mowers creates carbon. A study in New South Wales found that lawn mowing accounted for 5% of carbon dioxide emissions on a single summer weekend. Even using an electric mower, or a hand mower as I do, can contribute to air pollution. That fresh cut grass smell comes from organic chemicals which oxidise and contribute to air pollution. If we leave our grass to grow long the number of bugs living there increases, and they provide food for birds and lizards. So it all helps the planet.
My small lawn hasn’t been mowed for several months, and I’m wondering whether I might just leave it alone, but I’m uncertain what to do about the dandelions. Previously I’ve dug out those that were noticeable, and picked the flowers off others before they had time to seed. If I want to leave the lawn alone should I let the dandelions provide a splash of colour? I know that dandelion leaves and flowers are highly nutritious, but I’ve never harvested them.
A friend tells me her chooks keep her grass at a low level, but much as I’d love them we don’t have room for chooks. I plan to experiment with not mowing and see what happens. I’ve bought a packet of bee-friendly cornflower seeds and will try sowing them in patches in the lawn, hoping a flowery meadow will emerge. That means I’ll have to water the l;awn until they grow, something I’ve not done before.
I do wonder how I’ll get on with walking across the meadow/lawn when the grass is high and wet (not that we get much rain these days). Maybe I’ll need gumboots. We shall see.
I plan to try a no-mow lawn
and wait to see just what may spawn
Ruth's Reflections 