Why in 2025 in Kiev not everywhere mowed grass: Explanation

In 2023, Kyiv authorities began an experiment with a partial refusal of mowing grass in the city. Parks, squares, areas near the highway were included in the list.

For a year in the Kyiv Digital Application conducted a survey regarding the attitude of the people of Kyivans to « overgrown lawns ». As a result, 66% of those surveyed voted to mow the grass less.

Therefore, in 2025, in the third year of the experiment, the Kiev authorities decided to expand the list of areas where mowers will not be visited during the summer. Although this list is still not included in the adjoining territories.

What areas are discussed and what conclusions the city authorities made during the experiment – the « UP. Life » was told in « Kyivzelenbud ».

Where will not mow the grass this year?

In 2024, the Kiev authorities decided not to touch the grass at 60 different areasthe total area of ​​which was 127.94 ha. This year, such areas will become even more.

”In 2025 it is planned to increase the number of such sites to 76 Square 207.80 ha« , – said in Kyivzelenbud.

The list is primarily parks, squares, areas near the highway. Most of these areas in the Obolon district (576 000 m2).

Many of them install information plates with warnings that the grass is not specifically mowed to create a « favorable environment for pollinators » and « resource savings ».

”Rejection of mowing is a conscious step towards the sustainable development of the city. Unleashed areas help to store moisture in the soil, prevent erosion, create natural isolation from heat, especially in climate change.

Also high grass helps lower the temperature in the city in summer« , – explained the decision to continue the experiment in Kyivzelenbud.

At the same time, the institution claims that it is impossible to completely abandon the mowing: it is necessary for sanitary and safety reasons. The first one is Tick ​​protection.

”Unmistakable high grass is an ideal environment for the active reproduction of ticks, in particular those that tolerate dangerous diseases, such as Boreliosis (Lyme disease). This is especially true of outdoor areas, playgrounds, parks« , – said in Kyivzelenbud.

The second reason is it Prevention of fires (Dry grass is easily engaged, so mowing it prevents the spread of fire rapidly).

The third reason in Kyivzelenbud is called fighting dangerous weeds.

”Leaving grass without care contributes to the spread of quarantine plants, such as: ragweed polyinolist, Sosnovsky borscht, sleep-grass, non-rebellious, prostitute. These are invasive plants that displace the local flora« , – said in response to the request.

Why giving up herbs should you give up?

In the comment « UP. Life » Senior Lecturer of the Department of Botany of Kharkiv National Pedagogical University named after Skovoroda Yuri Bengus He noted that excessive mowing of the herb, on the contrary, contributes to the spread of ragweed.

”Ambrose – « Errk » from warmer areas. It germinates later than our herbs. That is, if our meadow grasses grow on the surface of the earth, then ragweed has no place.

But when hard mosquitoes are actively mowing out spring herbs, ragweed says, « Thank you for freeing up a place for me. » So it spread more and more« , – explains Yuri Bengus.

The scientist adds that the greatest damage to the mowing of the grass is the reduction of biodiversity.

”When we mow the grass and create a lawn, it is good for the eye, but in terms of biology is a desert. Because there are only two types and nothing more.

If we mix the grass, there are only a few types of cereals, there are almost different insects, other animals, with them not many « friends » with different mushrooms. There is nothing to collect bees and bumblebees on cereals« , – explains Yuri Bengus.

According to him, reducing biodiversity adversely affects the resistance of the environment. The areas where few herbs or trees grow are vulnerable to any changes.

”This is biological law: permanent biocenosis is a high biodiversity biocenosis. As soon as it decreases, with biocenosis, any disasters can occur« , – summarizes Yuri Bengus.

We will remind, we used to explainedWhy is there a lot of dandelion fluff in Kiev now and how it affects health.