At this time of the year, grass needs cutting once a week and with changing weather patterns and busy lives we gardeners need to be resourceful. We should also think about how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

At Uppark, we have a policy of minimal machine noise during our opening hours so that visitors can enjoy the sounds of the season – birdsong, the breeze rustling the leaves on the trees, the kettle boiling in the restaurant... However, grass cutting is dependent mainly on the weather forecast so pay close attention to this and plan accordingly. It’s easier to cut grass later in the day, before dew fall, and this is also a great way to work off an evening meal.

At Uppark, we also use alternatively powered machinery, which is more or less noiseless, including a push mower! If you have a small patch of grass, consider one of these; it’s good exercise and the secret to a nice looking lawn is technique, regularly sharpened blades and frequency. The more you cut, the easier it becomes because resistance is reduced with regular cutting. There are some fabulous push mower designs available these days, which are easy to carry and there are no concerns about fuel spillage. There are also some good battery-powered mowers available, with light, solar-charged battery packs.

For those who are serious about fitness, I can highly recommend scything. Once you’ve got used to the technique, you will keep trim and reduce your carbon footprint. You can also reduce the area of grass by extending the plant borders. If you choose low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants, you will also benefit from great looking borders without hours of work.

Alternatively, allow some areas of grass to grow longer. If you keep the margins cut, the overall effect still looks smart with a fraction of the effort. At Uppark, we do this in our South Meadow, cutting paths through the trees and around the perimeter. Our visitors can walk through and picnic in the meadow, and the long grass provides a habitat for wildlife and enables our wild flowers to flourish. Come and take a look – the meadows looks lovely in spring.

  • Visit Andy Lewis’s blog at upparkgarden.wordpress.com