In Apeldoorn, we have been mowing the greenery differently for a few years now. This means more colour in verges, taller grasses and flowery fields. The goal? To give nature more space, combat soil dehydration and strengthen biodiversity.
Anyone walking through Apeldoorn will notice that the grass in the public green spaces is staying a little longer. This gives low flowers, such as daisies, more chance to bloom. In addition, we now mow some lawns less often, only four to eight times a year. This ensures that even more types of flowers and herbs have a chance to grow, which is good for bees, butterflies and other insects. In addition, we no longer mow down to the trunk of trees. This helps the tree to grow better. There is also less chance of damage.
We mow flowery roadsides and fields once or twice a year. Most of it is done in autumn. Many of these plants self-seed, making the fields bloom every year. The seeds are also a valuable source of food for many different animals. These flowering spots are not only a feast for the eyes in spring and summer, but also crucial for insects and small animals after flowering.
The insect population in the Netherlands is not doing well. Less mowing helps them survive: they find food in flowers and hiding places in longer grasses. This is also necessary for birds as they eat the insects. And we desperately need the insects to pollinate our fruit trees and crops. For people, mowing brings more benefits. A diverse ecosystem helps combat pests, such as the oak processionary caterpillar. It also keeps the soil healthier, making it more resistant to extreme weather conditions, such as drought and downpours.
Some residents mow municipal roadsides themselves. While this is often well-intentioned, it can cause disruptions in biodiversity. We therefore ask residents to leave mowing to the municipality.
We mow the edges and view corners of flowery verges in May or June for traffic safety. Do you unexpectedly come across an unsafe situation where the verges are obstructing traffic visibility, for example? Then you can report this to apeldoorn.nl/notifications.
Then take a look at the page Mowing grass and verges.
