Many people put a great deal of time and effort into cutting the grass with a lawn mower and creating a perfectly manicured lawn. However, there are benefits to taking the opposite approach: Go all-natural. Here are six reasons to not cut the grass and let your lawn grow wild.

Save water by not cutting the grass

The first reason to not cut the grass and let your lawn grow wild is that it saves water. When you let your lawn flourish with native wildflowers and plants, you won’t need to use as much water. This is because native species are most suited for the local environmental conditions and can rely on natural rainfall to grow.

As detailed by Public Goods, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that landscape irrigation uses an average of nine billion of water per day in the United States. Also, approximately 50% of this water is wasted from “evaporation and inefficient watering methods.” In places that face droughts and severe water shortages, such as California, the conservation of water is especially crucial.

Increase biodiversity and save bees by letting your lawn grow wild

The second reason to not cut the grass is that it increases biodiversity. By allowing plants to grow, you’ll enable bees, butterflies, and other insects to flourish. These creatures are important to the ecosystem, for they help pollinate plants. 

Due to the loss of habitat and the use of pesticides, the bee population has plummeted. Letting your lawn grow wild helps alleviate this problem. Plus, with more insects on your land, you’ll attract more birds, which eat the insects. 

Not cutting the grass results in less air and noise pollution

The third reason to let your lawn grow wild is that it results in less air and noise pollution. Gas-powered lawn mowers “emit high levels of toxic and carcinogenic pollutants” and carbon emissions into the atmosphere. 

Plus, gas-powered lawn mowers are noisy. Along with adversely affecting the ambiance of a neighborhood, noise pollution has negative health consequences. A recent study showed that areas with high noise pollution have higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. Also, even though electric-powered lawn mowers are quieter and don’t release carbon emissions like gas-powered ones, they still consume energy. 

Letting your lawn grow wild results in the lower use of chemicals

The fourth reason to not cut your grass is that it results in the lower use of chemicals. Maintaining a perfectly-looking lawn can require many types of artificial chemicals, resulting in damaging effects on the environment. These chemicals can run off and contaminate waterways and can even cause soil and air pollution. Plus, manufacturing these chemicals requires a great deal of energy usage. 

Save time and money by not cutting the grass

The fifth reason to let your lawn grow wild is that it saves time and money. One can spend many hours each year cutting the grass. However, by letting your lawn grow wild, you can just kick back, relax, and let nature take its course.

Also, cutting the grass can be expensive. In addition to the cost of a lawn mower, other expenses include fuel (or energy for an electric mower), fertilizer, insecticides, and water. Additionally, as the saying goes, “time is money.”

Let your lawn grow wild and create a beautiful natural ecosystem that you can enjoy

The sixth reason to not cut the grass is that you can create a beautiful natural ecosystem that you can enjoy, especially if you have a large plot of land. People travel far and wide to go to state and national parks to experience the tranquility of nature. By letting your lawn grow wild, you can enjoy this tranquility at home.

Also, you can even carve out pathways throughout your land and go on a picturesque nature walk. Go wild and enjoy the beauty of nature in your backyard. 

This article was updated on 7/16/2022.