Mowing the lawn is a chore that most of us have to do every week. But, what if we told you there were benefits to mowing your lawn less? It’s true! By mowing your lawn less, you can save yourself time and money. You can also help the environment.
Keep reading to find out five reasons why you should mow your lawn less.
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It’s Better For The Environment
Lawn mowers are actually one of the most energy-intensive lawn care tools. In fact, a recent study showed that lawn mowers account for five percent of all residential emissions of air pollution.
When you mow your lawn, the gas and oil in the lawn mower’s engine gets burned, emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to climate change, which is a serious global problem.
Additionally, every time you mow your lawn, you’re using up valuable resources like gasoline and oil. These resources are finite, and by using them to power lawn mowers, we’re contributing to their depletion.
It Saves Water
Grass is very thirsty, so mowing your lawn less often will save water. This is especially important in areas where water is scarce.
When you mow your lawn, you cut off the tops of the grass blades. This causes the grass to go into survival mode and start growing new blades as quickly as possible. The more you mow, the more stressed the grass becomes, and the more water it needs to recover.
On the other hand, if you let your lawn grow a little longer between mowing, the grass won’t be as stressed, and it will actually need less water. That’s because longer grass blades create more shade, which helps protect the roots from drying out.
It Saves Money
Lawnmowers are gas-powered, which means that mowing your lawn more often will use up more gas. And gas, as you know, is not cheap.
But it’s not just the cost of gas that you have to consider. Lawnmowers are also subject to wear and tear, which means that they will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. The more often you use your lawnmower, the sooner it will need to be fixed. So, by mowing your lawn less often, you can actually extend the life of your lawnmower, and save yourself some money in repairs.
It’s Better For Your Lawn
It might seem counterintuitive, but lawn mowing actually does more harm than good to your lawn. By mowing too often, you’re preventing your lawn from growing deeper, stronger roots. This makes it less resistant to pests and diseases, and more likely to experience drought stress.
If you want a healthy lawn that doesn’t need as much maintenance, start by mowing less often. Let your grass grow longer before you cut it – this will encourage deeper root growth. In the spring, wait until the grass is about three to four inches tall before mowing for the first time. Then, only mow every two to three weeks after that.
If you’re not sure how often to mow your lawn, ask a lawn care professional for advice. They can help you create a customized lawn care plan that will keep your lawn healthy and looking its best.
It Attracts Wildlife
Letting your lawn grow a bit longer than usual can actually attract all sorts of wildlife! Here are just a few of the benefits:
More flowers and insects: By allowing your lawn to grow longer, you create more opportunities for wildflowers and other native plants to take root. This in turn attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators which are essential for our ecosystem.
More food for birds: Longer grass provides a perfect habitat for mice and other small rodents which are a food source for birds such as sparrows, finches, and kestrels.
More cover for birds: In addition to being a food source, longer grass also provides birds with much-needed cover from predators.
More habitat for amphibians: Taller grass is ideal habitat for amphibians such as frogs and toads. These animals are great pest control since they eat insects, slugs, and snails.
More shelter for small mammals: Small mammals such as voles, rabbits, and hedgehogs find refuge in longer grass from both the weather and predators.
Let It Grow
So, there you have it – letting your lawn grow a bit longer can actually be good for the environment! Not to mention, it saves you time and money on lawn care. So next time you’re tempted to reach for the lawn mower, consider letting nature take its course. Your local wildlife will thank you for it!
Have you ever tried mowing your lawn less often? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Let us know in the comments below!
