We're Not Going to Make It, Are We
11 minutes ago
Monday, June 1, 2015
The unmowed lawn
My lawn has yet to be mowed this year. Aren't you glad you aren't my neighbor? I'm lucky I don't live in a place that fines homeowners who do not mow their lawns.
There is method to our madness. Before I mow it we are going to harvest some wild edibles. We don't use pesticides or fertilizer on our lawn so the dandelions are good to eat. Yes, my lawn has dandelions. My lovely wife and I think they are pretty. We have a lot of wild flowers popping up in our lawn. The bees and humming birds love it. When I do mow I'm going to have to spare some of the flowers.
My lovely wife noticed a number of volunteer garden plants. She wanted to give them a chance to get a bit bigger before transplanting them back to the vegetable garden. Our lawn is untidy, but it's alive.
At least once a year we let our grass grow long. The roots have a chance to grow deeper into the soil. That's why when we get a dry spell other people's lawns die without constant watering. Our grass has deep enough roots to get their own water.
You may be thinking that it's going to be difficult to mow my lawn when I eventually get around to it. Fortunately it's not a big lawn and I can use an electric mower. Electric motors have more torque than gas mowers so can handle the heavy load. The mower bed is set a bit higher than most people like so our grass is always a bit long.
I guess I just set lawn care back 200 years. Oh well.
-Sixbears
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I've have mowed but not seeded my heavily wooded back yard for years. As a result 90% of the back yard is a beautiful blanket of moss.
ReplyDeleteIf it's green, it's good, right?
DeleteJust as well I don't have immediate neighbours! The grass is long, full of wild flowers, we occasionally get munjac deer visiting, foxes, generous numbers of wood pigeons and numerous small birds, and then the insects like the place too. Oh and the hedge has not been cut for years!
ReplyDeleteJust as well I don't have immediate neighbours! The grass is long, full of wild flowers, we occasionally get munjac deer visiting, foxes, generous numbers of wood pigeons and numerous small birds, and then the insects like the place too. Oh and the hedge has not been cut for years!
ReplyDelete"I guess I just set lawn care back 200 years."
ReplyDeleteOr forward!
Thanks Judy. You are too kind.
DeleteI mow my yard on the highest setting,.....when I mow it.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm not the only one who's not super worried about what the neighbors think.
DeleteIf I don't get my front lot mowed often enough, sometimes the neighbors mow it, like they did this weekend. Actually, all you need to mow is paths to the places you want or need to walk (grin).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great labor saving idea: paths.
DeleteHere in the city, I pay the pros to do my yard. The HOA is getting to be a pain in the backside about yards. Not surprising, I reckon.
ReplyDeleteOne more reason to move away from the city when I can.
Come to the country, the water's fine.
DeleteI know, you are taking care of things where you are but your heart is somewhere else. Been there, done that.
once looked at a book of beautiful wildflowers in a garden center. discovered it was a book of 'weeds' from a herbicide company!!
ReplyDeletepeople are stupid.
Letting the roots grow deep before cutting it is a great idea, so the grass won’t die even when cutting it short. Anyway, it’s great that you are one of those folks who appreciate a lot of different plants, and not just those that look aesthetically pleasing. Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteKristina Cobb @ Denny's Lawn & Garden