Icelandic town Múlaþing reduces grass cutting to boost wild flowers and bee populations

In the urban areas of Múlaþing, Iceland, an initiative is underway to reduce grass cutting and allow wild flowers such as bluebells, buttercups, and white clovers to flourish. The goal is to create an environment where flowers and bees can thrive. The horticultural manager says this is pleasing to the eye and beneficial for honey bees.

Each summer, significant funds are spent by municipalities on cutting grass to keep towns tidy. However, this often results in the loss of small, beautiful insects and makes the landscape less appealing. In contrast, Múlaþing is trying to beautify its landscape by allowing nature to take its course.

The horticultural manager, Jón Kristófer Arnarson, explains, “We often try to recreate wild nature in horticulture, often at great cost. But here we are recreating wild nature simply by not cutting. That’s the magic. This is especially true in areas where there are flower beds and where the soil is relatively dry and the grass therefore does not sprout very much.”

He emphasizes that this approach has been well received. Similar initiatives have been successfully implemented in Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia, where the focus is on allowing flowers to grow and not necessarily cutting grass in towns and cities.

Jón highlights that in some places, grass will be cut once in the autumn after the flowering period to prevent weeds from growing the following spring. He says that flowers are more pleasing to the eye than cut lots, which sometimes look like a freshly shaved cat.

In some areas, wild rose and other wild species such as watercress and daisy have been planted to increase diversity. But it’s not just humans who enjoy the flower beds. Flowers are an important part of the ecosystem and honey bees have expressed their pleasure with the initiative.

Jón comments, “Maybe 20-30 years ago, Icelanders were so afraid of the honey bee, the large honey bee that was then taking over the country. This is changing and now it is part of experiencing nature to see honey bees floating between flowers. And by not cutting, the flowering plants grow and the honey bees and other flies that fertilize the flowers can help us fertilize the seed and multiply the flowers even more.”