The Grass Roots Truth (or, Thoughts While Mowing)
I sometimes wonder if mowing the lawn is a good thing. It makes the yard more aesthetically pleasing I suppose, although even that could be debated. The birds and squirrels seem happy after I mow. They arrive en masse to pummel the upturned insects and frogs, but what about the poor insects and frogs? Is mowing better for them?
I have been taught to understand that grass roots grow down below the ground only as far as the stem (or blade) grows above it. Deep roots will, of course, have better access to moisture and will give the grass a better chance to survive the heat and droughts of summer. It is why professionals cut at 3”, which is considerably higher than most weekend warriors, most of whom mistakingly believe that the lower they cut the less often they will have to mow. I say mistakenly because low grass is also thin grass, which allows weeds the room they need to sprout. Weeds grow faster than grass, ergo… more mowing. “Even” is what should be desired, not short.
And if it is true that higher grass is more capable of survival, then I am back to, ”why mow at all?” If 3” is good, then why not 12”? Or even 24”? The fields around my house seem to do ok without the help of man. The animals in them seem happy enough, although those fields are not great for walking through, what with the briars, ticks, trip hazards and all. Still, the grass seems healthy, and is “even” across the top, so that it sways prettily in the breeze. Perhaps I should just quit mowing… for the sake of the grass, that is.
Ahhh, but there is Pooky-Bear looking out the window, pretending to worry about me mowing in this devilish heat while also insuring that I finish the job. She did not seem worried though when she mentioned how high the grass was yesterday morning, or last night when she said, “Hmmm, I see Clyde has mowed his yard?” Or this morning, when she asked when I planned to mow it? So perhaps it is not for the health of the grass that I mow, but for the satisfaction of our neighbors. So that they might see that I too have a wife strong enough to make me push this mower in 100 degrees?
And over there is my dog General Sherman lying in the shade under the bass boat, waiting. Let’s consider the boat for a second. We all know that anything neglected weathers away faster than something kept sharp and clean with use. The boat will soon fade in color, and congeal in the motor if not soon put to use. This mowing is leading to the early decay of a significant financial investment, and must be stopped immediately! But wait… I see she has laid out the hedge trimmers in the garage?
Sigh.