Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim: One of the UK’s leading lawncare experts has totally refuted the claim by TV gardener Monty Don in a national newspaper that mowing the grass “is about the most injurious thing you can do to wildlife.”
Richard Salmon, managing director of ProLawnCare UK Limited, dismisses the claim as “utter nonsense” and asks what is Monty’s evidence for making such a claim?
Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim
“Visit any garden where lawns are regularly mown and you will see all manner of birds and insects. Badgers are particularly fond of such areas as it makes searching for insects that much easier than in long, wild grass,” he says.
“All golf courses are enjoyed by an abundance of wildlife – and they don’t restrict their visits to the rough. The other factor he forgets is that leaving grass to grow wild and reducing the mowing frequency, means that when you come to mow, it will be more difficult as the grass will be long. It will take several passes with the mower to reduce to the required height, using more fuel and energy. Plus it will put additional stress on the grass by reducing its height too much in one mowing operation.
Grass mowed little and often produces more leaf because additional tillers (side shoots) are stimulated to grow. The more leaf you encourage, the greater the Co2 absorbing capability of the turf is achieved.”
Richard agrees that all gardens, regardless of size, should leave an area uncultivated but, he points out, many wild flowers cannot compete with rampant long grass, so set aside areas for wildlife and manage them accordingly and leave the lawn as a lawn.
For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news
Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.
You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.
