Joensuu resident cultivates wildflower meadow amid urban lawns in Finland

For some, an overgrown patch of grass is an eyesore, but for Joensuu resident Juhani Räsänen, it’s a beautiful meadow. Räsänen has nurtured a small meadow beside his townhouse for 30 years, estimating it hosts around a hundred plant species in a strip measuring five meters wide and approximately 30 meters long. While other lawns in his housing association are meticulously trimmed, Räsänen refers to them as “green deserts,” devoid of life, and he hasn’t used a lawn mower this summer.

Meadows are essential for biodiversity and crucial for pollinators. Many cities are now reconsidering their approach to lawn maintenance, allowing street edges and parks to flourish with life during the summer. In cities like Kuopio, Lappeenranta, and Oulu, manicured grass areas have been transformed into wildflower meadows, saving costs on mowing while promoting natural habitats. New residential areas are increasingly incorporating meadows into their landscape designs.

However, the sight of an unmanaged meadow remains unusual in urban settings. Räsänen has received both praise and criticism from passersby regarding his untamed patch. Emmi Turkki, a landscape designer studying urban meadows, notes that the perception of a neatly mowed lawn as a sign of human control contrasts with the wild appearance of meadows, which may be seen as wastelands. She emphasizes that people can adapt to longer grass over time and often prefer gardens that are “managed wild.”

Creating a new meadow requires patience, as they may not initially appear attractive. The city of Joensuu recently attempted to renew a riverbank park but faced challenges with seed germination and drought, leaving the area looking barren for now. According to Jaana Mähönen, a city green space expert, with time and proper care, urban meadows could become a common feature over the next decade, enriching the urban landscape while still requiring maintenance to prevent overgrowth.