Give me stripes, not a ‘lazy lawn’
GARDENERS wishing to grow an uncut ‘lazy lawn’ (Mail) would be wise to remember the old mantra: one year’s weeds, seven years of seeds. There are good reasons why we keep lawns short. It cuts the hundreds of thousands of seed heads off dandelion, bittercress and oxalis, which proliferate in turf. And it avoids the problem of long grass harbouring mosquitoes and dangerous ticks, which can spread Lyme disease in humans. Rampant lawn weeds spread their seeds far and wide, infesting cultivated borders, hedges and taking root between paving slabs. Once in the soil, weed seeds can lay dormant for years or even decades, waiting for the right moment to germinate. As a manager of private estates, I have groaned when a client suggests letting their pristine lawn become long and uncut. I can foresee the amount of work it will create for the gardeners. A wildlife-friendly area is fantastic for the environment, but should be kept separate from cultivated areas. A wild area needs careful weeding and maintenance, just as our gardens do. Anyone who is hoping to have an easy life with a so-called lazy lawn could be in for a lot of work later and some serious weedkiller bills!
CRAIG LOAN, Waterlooville, Hants.
I AM surprised that TV gardener Monty Don has suggested it’s a masculine obsession to keep grass short. If a beautiful, green, striped lawn is not your thing, just opt for concrete. But even rows of gaudy plastic flowers still require annual dusting. Any estate agent will tell you what type of lawn will help to sell a house more quickly — and it’s not an unkempt patch of long grass full of weeds. From personal experience, I can confirm it will be expensive and take a couple of years to turn an ‘ecological’ wildflower wilderness into a halfdecent lawn on which children can safely play. A well-kept lawn is a valuable asset and useful house-selling feature, no matter what the Royal Horticultural society (RHs) says. If you’re lucky enough to own a large property with an acre or two of garden, then you have the space to create a wildflower area. Otherwise just get the mower out.
DOUG JENNINGS, Mickleton, Glos.
CAN I have the lawnmowers that the RHs and Monty Don no longer need? MALCOLM LINDLEY, Tring, Herts.