There’ll be no mowing in some parks this Spring. This will be done so that spring flowers can grow unimpeded. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, says no mowing in some of these areas will protect spring blooms and pollination corridors.
READ MORE: The list of all the no mowing areas
“The City is located within the Cape Floral Kingdom, and is recognised globally for its remarkable biodiversity and rich variety of indigenous plant species.”
There’ll be no mowing in some parks this Spring
Higham says as winter gives way to spring, it is strategic for some areas in the metro to remain unmowed. This will be in place until the end of October and/or November. Such a move supports biodiversity and protects valuable pollination corridors that sustain the city’s unique natural environment.
“The annual spring flowering initiative contributes to the preservation of these natural assets.”
It helps to protect the natural areas that make Cape Town so special
She added, “Residents may notice that some parks, verges and open spaces are being left unmowed for a little longer this spring. That’s a deliberate effort from our Recreation and Parks Department. Giving indigenous plants time to flower and set seed supports pollinators and helps protect the natural areas that make Cape Town so special. We encourage residents to enjoy the flowers and help us look after these spaces while they are in bloom.”
Selected parks, public open spaces, road verges and greenbelts across Cape Town will temporarily remain unmowed this spring. This is to allow indigenous plants and wildflowers to bloom and set seed while providing food and habitat for pollinators.
The annual spring flowering initiative
Higham says residents and visitors to the City can look forward to a spectacular display of spring flowers over the coming months. She has encouraged communities to visit and enjoy these vibrant floral displays. Higham says these blooms transform many public open spaces into colourful displays.
The annual spring flowering initiative contributes to creating opportunities for local vegetation to complete its flowering cycle while providing important habitat and food sources for pollinators.
Temporary “NO MOWING” signage
The MMC says Temporary “NO MOWING” signage has been installed in participating areas. This is to inform residents about the programme and encourage the protection of these environmentally sensitive spaces. Higham added that areas not included in the spring flowering programme will continue to be maintained according to the City’s normal mowing schedule.
For those wishing to experience the flowers at their best, flowering plants are generally most open and visually impressive between 10:00 and 15:00. Warmer daytime temperatures encourage blooms to fully open and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and birds.
