Debrecen4U May 11, 2026

Municipality of Debrecen Suspends Mowing Works This Month

Due to a dry winter, a virtually rainless month of March, and one of the driest Aprils of the past 125 years, the Municipality of Debrecen is temporarily suspending the mowing of public grassed areas during May. The aim of the decision is to protect grassland plants from drying out, preserve biodiversity, and support bees and other pollinators. The measure also represents participation in the “No Mow May” movement.

Despite the snowfall in January, overall winter precipitation nationwide amounted to only 96–97 millimetres, approximately 84 per cent of the usual level, meaning the season was classified as dry. March was also practically rain-free, with only a small amount of rainfall arriving during the final days of the month, followed by one of the driest Aprils in the last 125 years.

In Debrecen, public grass-cutting works in housing estate and suburban parks, as well as on roadside green areas, began in early April in accordance with the practices of previous years. During the vegetation period, contractors commissioned with the work regularly mow approximately 3 million square metres of grassed areas on a monthly basis. In touristically important locations and on irrigated surfaces, mowing is carried out weekly or fortnightly, meaning that altogether approximately 5 million square metres of grassland are managed. By the end of April, the first mowing of maintained grassed areas had been completed.

However, in light of the lack of rainfall, further mowing in May will be suspended in order to protect grassland vegetation from drying out and to support biodiversity, bees and other pollinators. Exceptions will apply to grass-rich areas equipped with automatic irrigation systems and therefore watered daily, where regular irrigation prevents the risk of drying out indirectly caused by mowing.

Due to the lack of rainfall, grassed areas are unfortunately already showing reduced growth. By suspending mowing, we will also prevent the dust pollution associated with mowing shorter grass and areas where dry soils have already caused patchy grass loss.

By leaving the grass uncut, the evaporation from denser vegetation helps to cool the local microclimate. Longer grass blades shade the soil, slowing the drying process, while the grass root system becomes stronger. A denser, more natural grassland will also be much better able to withstand summer heatwaves.

During this period, uncut grassland plants are able to ripen and disperse their seeds, significantly enriching the soil seed bank. As a result, denser and richer grass coverage can later be expected, and our grassed areas will simply become greener.

May is a critical period for wildflowers and pollinators, which is why avoiding mowing significantly supports the urban ecosystem. Early bees and butterflies have few alternative food sources at this time, making it especially beneficial to leave uncut any heterogeneous, species-rich, and ideally flowering areas, including dandelions, clover and daisies.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu