Mowing the lawn with a scythe: Are there any advantages?

Those who want to mow the grass usually use a lawnmower or a robotic lawnmower. In the past, people used a scythe. Does that still make sense today?

If you want to keep your lawn nice and short, a robotic lawnmower will do a reliable job. If the grass grows a bit longer, a lawnmower is more advantageous. A species-rich meadow with tall grass and a variety of plants is best mown with a scythe. This offers several advantages, as the following article demonstrates.

Nature thrives on tall grass. A species-rich meadow with bluebells, wild thyme, or other plants provides insects with plenty of food. Such a flower meadow should be mowed no more than twice a year.

For mowing, an environmentally friendly scythe is recommended. It handles the tall grass and cuts it back without shredding it. This allows the plants to grow back faster, reducing the risk of the meadow drying out.

A scythe costs much less than a scythe mower or other motorized equipment. Since it only uses its own energy, there's no need to spend money on fuel, oil, or electricity.

The scythe doesn't burn gasoline, doesn't produce a loud engine noise, and doesn't emit hydrocarbons, particulate matter , or other exhaust fumes into the air. Mowing with a scythe protects animals and plants and feels like being in the middle of nature. You get exercise in the fresh air and can still hear the birdsong.

Due to its lighter weight, a scythe is easier to handle. This not only simplifies mowing but also makes transporting the tool easier. A scythe can handle any terrain. Even mowing on slopes is possible with a lightweight hand scythe. Scything requires some practice at first, and the tool must also be suited to the user.

The scythe blades must be of good quality. Then nothing stands in the way of physically and environmentally friendly mowing with a scythe – which is now back in fashion.