Story at a glance
- In the United States, a freshly mowed lawn is often regarded as a sign of having one’s household affairs in order.
- But a new study says mowing your lawn less often will make it more biodiverse and less prone to invasion from pests and weeds.
- The reduction in weeds can also help cut down on allergies.
A manicured lawn has long been an essential element of a particular vision of the American dream. But “rewilding” these swatches of turf is becoming increasingly popular, and new research suggests even small reductions in mowing frequency can boost wildlife, attract beneficial pollinators and save money.
Researchers analyzed 15 years of studies of lawns in North America and Europe and found that frequent mowing reduced the diversity of plants and animals, the Guardian reports. These prim, oft-mowed lawns also had more weeds and pests.
Conversely, mowing less often allowed a broader palette of species to flourish, which made pests and weeds less prevalent.
“These findings support a lot of research done by the turf industry that shows that the more disturbance a lawn gets, the higher the likelihood of pest and weed invasion,” Chris Watson, lead author of the study, told the Guardian.
Common ragweed, a plant native to North America that is invasive in Europe, causes intense allergies for many people and is an example of a plant that can quickly take over under an overzealous grass trimming schedule.
“Certain lawn invaders, such as ragweed, can be decreased simply through reducing lawn-mowing frequency, Watson told the Guardian. “This will decrease the pollen load in the air and reduce the severity of hay fever symptoms, number of people affected, and medical costs.”
Mowing less often is also cheaper for public entities and companies that have to hire landscapers to keep things tidy. The study authors admit that these economic and public health benefits may do more to convince policymakers to dial back lawn maintenance than the ecological improvements.
But, according to Watson, it’s also a matter of changing public opinion: “We need to shake the outdated social stigma that comes from having a lawn a few centimeters longer than your neighbor’s.”
changing america copyright.
