When are they going to cut the grass on the side of the road? (Dallas: how much, construction)

[passionatearts]

I've noticed the grass along the side of most of the major roads and highways in Austin has gotten really overgrown in the last few months. When is this grass actually going to be cut? I would think that keeping the grass so overgrown is a major wildfire hazard (not to mention it makes our city look ugly).

[redvelvet709]

Probably when all of the crazy construction stops! There are so many blocked areas right now. But it's a durn good question~

[Moonlady]

I might be wrong, but I think they are waiting for some of the wildflowers to go to seed. Cut them before and they won't come back like before.

[owlman]

Yeah be patient, the wildflowers just finished and there are still some stragglers out there!

[G Grasshopper]

I know that they do wait for the wildflowers to go to seed. That is really the best way to manage them. We are not at high risk of wild fires right now. Personally, I don't think that the wildflowers and grasses are ugly at all.

[OpenD]

Truth be told, what you're seeing by the sides of the road right now is closer to the natural state of things than we're typically used to. It's mowing that's unnatural.

[TexasHorseLady]

Agreed on all of the above (except for it being ugly). In fact, I've had clients contemplating moving here who are visiting during this time of year comment on how much they like the fact that we let things be more natural, and they especially like it when I explain why (the wildflowers).

[cBach]

Get used to it. Grass is not mowed around here. By mid June all the grass will be brown and dormant anyway, no need to mow it. During the spring (now), there are still some pretty wildflowers and some green grass.

In Steiner, they only mow about 2 feet on either side of the road and let the rest run wild. Then, about mid July or so, they cut all the dry brush back. Then they let it regrow that fall and the cycle repeats.

[sxrckr]

It is a waste of resources to mow too often along freeways/major roads. It is not necessary to, and true about the wild seeds. Maybe people in North Dallas care, but most others do not.

[G Grasshopper]

I once heard how much it costs state wide for all Texas highways to have the shoulders mown. I don't remember the figures, but I know that mowing twice a year rather than 3 times can save millions. Considering that the grass only gets about to knee height, the flowers need time to seed (almost none bloomed last year, so we need to let them go to seed this year to replenish the seed bed,) and it is not yet fire season, it is better to save the money. Personally, I like the look. Short grass prairie and wildflowers typify Texas - and Texas does not have to look like any place else.