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5
A
s the clocks have gone forward and
British Summer Time starts, this is
a good time to briefly consider the
quintessential British pastime of
mowing the lawn.
The other reason for the choice of this month’s
subject matter is that a friend specifically
requested it – while visiting the annual art
exhibition, ArtEx, at East Woodhay recently,
she suggested that lawnmowers might make
an interesting article.
I’ll leave the reader to judge whether any of
what follows is interesting or not.
Remembering the sound of a lawnmower
evokes many happy memories of summer days
at school, swimming in an unheated outdoor
pool, hours spent playing cricket and the sound
of leather on willow.
I also recall some of the famous lawnmower
brands from yesteryear – Atco, Hayter,
Qualcast, Ransomes and Suffolk – it’s
reassuring to know that some of these
are still around today.
And let’s not forget the sweet smell of freshly
cut grass.
Eau de Mow
Have you ever wished you could
bottle the soothing aroma of
freshly mown grass?
An Australian company has
attempted to do just that in a
product called Serenascent.
Based on the
research of
Nick Lavidis, a
neuroscientist at
the University of
Queensland, the
product contains
three plant
compounds that
may act as stress
relievers.
For a stronger whiff
without the bottle, get
out the lawn mower.
According to
Psychology Today
,
the benefits of
mowing your own
lawn don’t extend
just to the grass
itself.
The simple act of the job can do wonders for
your entire body.
The most obvious health benefit comes in the
form of a solid cardio workout.
Unless you’re using a ride-on mower, cutting
your lawn can be a physically taxing exercise
(yes, even if you’re using a self-propelled
mower; you still have to do all the walking).
For someone who might not be very physically
active, cutting the grass every weekend is a
great way to get moving.
In addition to the cardio benefits,
Psychology
Today
also says that the “repetitive movement
of mowing helps you slip into a calmer state of
mind”.
Add in the lush surroundings, the ‘soothing
aroma’ of freshly-cut grass, and the pride that
comes with a well-manicured lawn, and you’ve
got a quick pick-me-up in the form of a weekly
chore well done.
I’m sure I’m not alone in believing that mowing
the lawn can be very therapeutic.
A neighbour has a large area of lawn to look
after and once a fortnight during the summer
months, we do a ‘duo mow’.
Mowing solo would take more than a couple
of hours and the duo mow cuts this down to
around an hour.
In addition to a feeling of wellbeing at the end
of the duo mow, there’s also the added benefit
of composted grass clippings, which can be
recycled back to the garden.
So dust off the mower from its winter
hibernation and bring it back to life ready to
welcome the imminent sunshine.
... contemplates caring for the
green, green grass of home
Jonathan Hopson
Nothing is more pleasant to the eye
than green grass kept finely shorn.
FRANCIS BACON
THE MOWER’S SONG
By Andrew Marvell
My mind was once the true survey
Of all these meadows fresh and gay,
And in the greenness of the grass
Did see its hopes as in a glass;
When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my
thoughts and me.
But these, while I with sorrow pine,
Grew more luxuriant still and fine,
That not one blade of grass you spy’d
But had a flower on either side;
When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my
thoughts and me.
Unthankful meadows, could you so
A fellowship so true forgo?
And in your gaudy May-games meet
While I lay trodden under feet?
When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my
thoughts and me.
But what you in compassion ought,
Shall now by my revenge be wrought;
And flow’rs, and grass, and I and all,
Will in one common ruin fall.
For Juliana comes, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my
thoughts and me.
And thus, ye meadows, which have been
Companions of my thoughts more green,
Shall now the heraldry become
With which I shall adorn my tomb;
For Juliana comes, and she
What I do to the grass,
does to my thoughts
and me.