Currently grass cuttings are almost always left where they fall, with the resulting mulch increasing soil fertility, meaning the grass grows back more voraciously and needs managing more frequently.
The cut and collect process is simple: cut and remove grass clippings, thereby reducing the fertility of soil and preventing a build-up of mulch.
The Cut and Collect approach:
- Gradually reduces the number of cuts required
- Enables more traditional grass and wildflower species to establish
- Increases biodiversity
- Provides a food source for our pollinators
There are examples of this management approach being applied in Dorset between Weymouth and Dorchester. These trial projects have been a great success, reducing management cost and enhancing ecological biodiversity. The verges were cut two or three times a year, not 12, saving the council tens of thousands of pounds. The cost savings of managing roadsides in this way were dramatic, with annual budget for highway verge management dropping from nearly £1m to £650k in five years.