If you happen to’re fed up with pushing the mower round each weekend or simply wish to save water and maximize the ecological capability of your garden, a no-mow garden is a superb alternative.
Fed with garden fertilizer, sprayed with a whole bunch or 1000’s of gallons of water, and trimmed with lawnmowers that usually launch harmful pollution, most conventional lawns aren’t ecological. And to take care of what’s successfully a big monoculture of 1 or two species of grass, which are sometimes non-native, conventional lawns normally depend on fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and on the very least, frequent upkeep.
What’s a No Mow Garden?
Not like the carefully cropped lawns of suburban America, no mow lawns are barely extra unruly. As an alternative of the same old kinds of grass, no-mow lawns are grown with drought-tolerant perennial grasses, which are sometimes combined with bulbs and wildflowers to create a meadow-like look. This makes your no-mow garden develop longer than the typical neighborhood garden (precisely how lengthy depends upon the species) but additionally requires minimal quantities of water, little if any fertilizer, and far much less upkeep than the standard garden.
You’ll be able to nonetheless perform a lot of the common actions you’d on a garden — picnicking, enjoying, and enjoyable within the solar — however don’t count on to have the ability to host a croquet event or a placing championship! This performance is swapped for low upkeep and large ecological profit — for the bugs, birds, mammals — and finally the planet.
Ecological Advantages of a No Mow Garden
Whereas conventional lawns are ecological deserts, no mow lawns could be ecological havens—offering a pure residence for all kinds of species of wildlife. The nectar and pollen offered by wildflowers and grasses, so typically misplaced in the course of the mowing course of, is as soon as once more obtainable to the bees and butterflies which have turn out to be so uncommon in lots of suburban areas.
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The native grasses in a no-mow garden additionally present breeding areas for these bugs and nesting supplies for predators increased up the meals chain. With bugs to feed on and lengthy grass for nesting, birds are prone to take pleasure in making a presence shut by, together with doubtlessly even small and huge mammals (relying in your space).
Even for those who aren’t concerned about wildlife, a no-mow garden can have extra advantages, with birds rapidly snapping up the slugs and different pests that may make a nuisance of themselves in your vegetable patch.
Planting a No Mow Garden
No-mow lawns are pretty simple to put in, and over the long term, price lower than the standard garden. However, you will have to spend money on grass seed which shouldn’t price greater than 7 {dollars} per pound and can have to be distributed in accordance with the directions on the bag of seed.
You might additionally use dearer plugs if these can be found out of your native nursery. Keep in mind that probably the most ecological profit will likely be reached with a mixture of largely native vegetation (round 40 to 60 % is suggested) to assist native fauna in your space.
Grass Species to Use in a No Mow Garden
There may be a variety of potential grass species to select from in your no-mow garden. Relying in your preferences, you may choose native meadow grasses for optimum ecological profit or extra decorative grasses which can be extra visually interesting.
For smaller areas, like borders and the oddly formed sections between pavers, Dwarf Mondo Grass is a well-liked alternative and requires no mowing in any respect.
For bigger garden areas, Fescues are sometimes used. And a few no mow garden mixes like this one depend on a spread of various fescues to kind a sturdy, disease-resistant, low-maintenance garden.
If you’re frightened that the garden will look too unruly, you possibly can strive making a xeriscaping border across the garden.
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Upkeep for a No Mow Garden
Although no-mow lawns are considerably much less work, you’ll nonetheless must do some upkeep. You’ll must spend a bit time controlling invading species, and it’s a good suggestion to truly — regardless of the title — mow it often (or burn relying on the species concerned). Precisely how typically you will have to mow depends upon the species, however you could want to preserve the grasses at a sure stage to forestall them from going to seed. Regardless of this, no mow lawns don’t require practically as a lot mowing as a standard garden, and a few species require little to no upkeep.
Relying in your native local weather, no mow lawns may must be watered often, however fertilizer is just not usually required. If you wish to study extra, I like to recommend selecting up a duplicate of Stunning No-Mow Yards: 50 Wonderful Garden Options by Evelyn Hadden. The ebook is stuffed with inspirational no-mow garden designs, together with sensible ideas that can assist you get began on the trail to no mowing.
