While it’s true that I like to leave the lawn long, there are times when the edges need to be tended or the whole garden will look a bit unkempt. I’m all for that, but when the grass gets to 3ft high, something needs to be done. The question then remains, to strim, or not to strim?
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It’s easy and cheap enough to pop down to the local garden centre and get a decent strimmer – but is that really the greenest way to tidy your lawn?
Electric or battery strimmers seem to be the greener option against the noxious fumes coming from a carbon based fuel source. Then again, if your source of electricity doesn’t come from renewable sources it’s defeating the object.
And the global environment isn’t the only thing to think about. What about the thousands of hedgehogs and small animals that are killed each year by lawnmowers and strimmers?
(More info about the dangers of life for a hedgehog can be found here. Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue have also started a petition to raise awareness.)
For many years now, if I want the edges trimmed I use an old pair of kitchen scissors. It takes a bit longer and any hint of OCD can begin to show itself, but the pleasure of getting so close to the ground, smelling the earth, the rosemary as I brush past, the sweet, damp grass more than makes up for the extra time it takes.
Now I can understand if you have a large garden and a fetish for clean lines that my method of clearing the edges will seem insane to say the least. If you do stick to your strimmer, think about what could be having a snooze in the long grass and ask yourself – does it really need to be short?
I’m all in favour of kitchen scissors for edging the lawn and of getting down on your hands and knees to do it. You can, however, get long-handled trimmers for doing the job. I’m equally as keen to see a return to ‘person powered’ push-along lawnmowers (like people used to use) rather than the petrol-powered or electric variety. These are much better for the environment, the wildlife and the grass.
GOATS!
That’s what we’ll use for lawn control when the farm is up and running. And sheep.
There was an old man behind my grandparents who would do his entire lawn with scissors.
I found it fascinating.
But then again, I was 7 at the time. lol!
Goats – that’s great!
Harking back to the Stately Homes of Tudor times, where horses and sheep were used to keep the lawns trimmed.
My father used to have 2 goats, Billy and Simon to keep the grass down. They stink! and they have big horns.
I have forgotten who it was but I first found out about your site from a link posted on Twitter. . Love the content I have seen so far and will certainly revisit to read more in a while. By the way, are you on Twitter?
Thanks Antonia. Yes, I am on Twitter (@wildelycreative) – you can catch my latest tweet in the side bar too.
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