Extreme weather spells the end for the bowling green lawn
British gardeners are being urged to change their ways as the nation's weather becomes more extreme. Experts say summers that switch from periods of heavy rain to drought mean maintaining the 'bowling green' lawn will be a tough task.
In fact, rather than opt for a perfectly maintained traditional lawn, those in the know say we should "accept a slightly higher cut of grass, more daisies and buttercups". Plants in beds and borders are also expected to suffer as a result of the changing weather.
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Professor Richard Bisgrove, an expert in turf management and garden history, advises "the less effort you put in the better".
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "In general, intensive inputs into grass management are futile. If you are after the perfect lawn you have to cut it closely, at least once a week, burning fossil fuels, using more fuel."
Prof. Bisgrove added: "Very short grass will go brown in just a short spell of dry weather so you have to irrigate, remove moss and weeds which all uses up more resources."
And weather experts agree that British gardeners need to "adapt".
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Professor Julia Slingo, chief scientists at the Met Office, told the Mail: "We are taking our planet into a climate that we haven't seen for a very long time, going back to before there were gardens in the UK.
"[The weather] will continue to be very variable, and as gardeners we need to adapt to that."
Perhaps it's time to go for the wildlife-friendly meadow look this summer.
Did you manage to maintain your garden during last summer's extreme weather? Leave your comments below...
