Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- mow / moʊ / (v.) – to cut grass or other plants that grow on the ground, usually with a machine
Example:I have to mow the lawn every Saturday because the grass grows very fast in summer.
- stash / stæʃ / (v.) – to hide or store something
Example:Jacob decided to stash his winter coats in the storage room now that the weather is warm.
- monoculture / ˈmɒn əˌkʌl tʃər / (n.) – a practice in farming in which only one type of plant or animal is grown in a large area
Example:Monoculture can be dangerous because one disease can kill all the crops.
- irrigation / ˌɪr ɪˈgeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a process of bringing water to the land to help plants grow
Example:Thanks to the new irrigation system, farmers can now grow rice even though there wasn’t much rain in the area.
- runoff / ˈrʌnˌɔf / (n.) – water from rain or snow that flows over the ground into bodies of water, like a river or stream
Example:The runoff from the fields carried soil into the river, making the water brown and muddy.
Article
Read the text below.
No Mow May encourages homeowners to stash the lawn mower each spring and let flowers and grass grow for pollinators and water retention. And if your neighbor’s lawn already looks like a wildflower field most of the time, it could be more intentional than passersby might assume.
The movement has expanded to “Let It Bloom June” and the fall version: “Leave the leaves.” Conservation and horticulture groups say year-round low-mowing while selectively leaving native plants to grow can save huge amounts of drinking water and lead to lasting and impactful ecological changes.
The movement is popularized by groups such as Plantlife, a conservation organization based in England.
American lawns, based on English and French traditions, are increasingly seen as a wasteful monoculture that encourages an overuse of pesticides, fertilizer and water. Outdoor spraying and irrigation account for over 30% of a U.S. household’s total water consumption, and can be twice that in drier climates, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The No Mow effort does encourage people to think more about biodiversity in their yards, and many local nature organizations provide guidance on picking noninvasive plants that fit each region’s climate and precipitation levels.
Reducing mowing encourages longer-rooted native grasses and flowers to grow, which breaks up compacted soil and improves drainage, “meaning that when it rains, more water is going to be captured and stored in lawns versus being generated as a runoff and entering into our stormwater system,” said Jason Sprouls, urban waters program manager for the Cumberland River Compact.
Nashville homeowner Brandon Griffith said he was just tired of mowing when he decided years ago to wait and see what comes up. Then he consciously added flowering plants to attract bees and bugs. Now he sees so many insects and pollinators all over his garden that the neighbors’ kids come over to look for butterflies.
He said he’s never heard a complaint—in fact, some of his neighbors also stopped mowing for a month each spring.
“I just enjoy coming out and walking around,” said Griffith. “And looking at it, it’s kind of peaceful. It’s kinda relaxing.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- The No Mow May movement encourages people to let their lawns grow naturally. Do you find them appealing or unnecessary? Why? Do you agree that a less controlled natural space can sometimes be more calming? Why do you say so? Discuss.
- Could you imagine a movement like No Mow May becoming popular in your community? Why or why not? What would people in your neighborhood think about letting the grass grow? Do you think people will be encouraged to join this movement when they know about its environmental benefits? Why do you say so? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Some people might see a less mown lawn as messy or neglected. What does “tidy” mean to you when it comes to outdoor spaces? Are people’s ideas about what is “tidy” changing these days? Why do you think that is? Discuss.
- American lawns are based on European traditions but are now being questioned. How often do you think we should rethink old traditions like this? What factors might lead to these changes (ex. environmental concerns, cost)? Can you think of a tradition in your country that people are beginning to change? Discuss.
