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Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

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21–30 of 277 posts

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#21

Maybe I have slow growing grass. I mow every three weeks, and I feel like my neighbors do it every two. I thought weekly mowing was something mostly only seen in fictional portrayals of American fathers.

If this year is anything like last year, I'll have to mow twice a week in the spring and then once a month in the summer. I mow at the second highest deck height though.

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#22

Maybe I have slow growing grass. I mow every three weeks, and I feel like my neighbors do it every two. I thought weekly mowing was something mostly only seen in fictional portrayals of American fathers.

It depends on your climate and grass. In MA (where this study was), many cool season grasses can grow well over an inch per week in the mid-May and late-September windows. (Turf type tall fescue can grow over two inches per week in those windows.)

Yeah. I have a biweekly mowing service in MA. It's barely adequate in late spring (and especially if they get behind because it's been rainy) and it's probably more frequent than needed during a dry late summer.

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#23

I noticed the last couple seasons that certain parts of the lawn by the curb were really active with pollinating bees. I stopped mowing that area, much to the chagrin of the city who warned me (there’s a blue law it must be shorter than 10 inches). So now, I don’t mow that part until they warn me, then I’ll trim it with a weed trimmer but leave some clusters here and there.

I don't live in the US nor speak English natively, but are you referring to neighbors around you as "the city"? And what does "blue law" mean in this context, as it seems to mean "Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, Sunday trade laws and Sunday closing laws, are laws restricting or banning certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays in the western world." but that doesn't fit the context.

It can't actually be illegal for you to not cut your grass at your property right?

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#25

Maybe I have slow growing grass. I mow every three weeks, and I feel like my neighbors do it every two. I thought weekly mowing was something mostly only seen in fictional portrayals of American fathers.

Our cool season grass grows pretty fast and weekly is best. Plus it is better for the lawn to cut more frequently as it stresses the grass less.

There are a lot of things you can do to help bee populations. I can't imagine how you mow the lawn is that large of a factor considering the other things you can do.

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#26

I don't understand why a lot of people have a lawn in the first place, most don't even use the lawn (besides mowing it on a regular basis hahaha)!

My local London borough was short on cash last year, and while that was a shame, the fact that one of the things they cut down on was mowing the parks was fantastic. While I get some people want short grass in parks for e.g. ball games, I wish they'd keep leaving larger parts of the parks mowed less often - the parks had far more flowers and far more bees etc. than usual.

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#27

Maybe I have slow growing grass. I mow every three weeks, and I feel like my neighbors do it every two. I thought weekly mowing was something mostly only seen in fictional portrayals of American fathers.

In Austin Texas. I mow weekly during the growing season. We previously had lawn service and it was every 2 weeks. Once lockdowns happened I took this over. Mainly out of habit and a need to get some exercise, so it’s every Saturday morning. I have kids so maybe there is some correlation :)

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#29

I noticed the last couple seasons that certain parts of the lawn by the curb were really active with pollinating bees. I stopped mowing that area, much to the chagrin of the city who warned me (there’s a blue law it must be shorter than 10 inches). So now, I don’t mow that part until they warn me, then I’ll trim it with a weed trimmer but leave some clusters here and there.

I don't live in the US nor speak English natively, but are you referring to neighbors around you as "the city"? And what does "blue law" mean in this context, as it seems to mean "Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, Sunday trade laws and Sunday closing laws, are laws restricting or banning certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays in the western world." but that doesn't fit the context. It can't actuall…

Hard to believe, but it is real: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589936029

I’ve lived in this house for 5 years now, and the first time it happened I couldn’t believe it myself.

You are right in that I incorrectly referred to it as a “blue law”. But it is an ordinance.

Re: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity (2018)

#30

I noticed the last couple seasons that certain parts of the lawn by the curb were really active with pollinating bees. I stopped mowing that area, much to the chagrin of the city who warned me (there’s a blue law it must be shorter than 10 inches). So now, I don’t mow that part until they warn me, then I’ll trim it with a weed trimmer but leave some clusters here and there.

I don't live in the US nor speak English natively, but are you referring to neighbors around you as "the city"? And what does "blue law" mean in this context, as it seems to mean "Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, Sunday trade laws and Sunday closing laws, are laws restricting or banning certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays in the western world." but that doesn't fit the context. It can't actuall…

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