For the 2012 season All Sorts Acre will be offering Natural Lawn Mowing.

What is Natural Lawn Mowing?

In days gone by, flocks of sheep would move gracefully around land, cutting the grass and fertilizing as they grazed. It was a beneficial relationship for everyone. The lawn was cut, the sheep ate, and the soil was fertilized without any chemicals or effort.

We are bringing this option back for homeowners are mindful of their health, soil, and want to bring a piece of the country to the city, if even only for a day.

Sheep grazing spring lawns.

 We have Shetland and Shetland cross sheep. These sheep are smaller than most so they are perfect for urban properties. Once a year they are shorn and we use the wool to make various products such as hats, scarves, purses, and sculptures.

How does it work?

It is not that different to conventional lawn mowing, but instead of a motor we bring in sheep. Our sheep have been socialized and are comfortable with people and new situations. They were born on our farm and been handled since they were lambs.

Shepherdess Jennifer will arrive to your property with the sheep. For larger lawns and properties a portable electric fence with a solar fencer may be brought along as well. This fence is known to keep out bears and is used extensively in livestock farming.

For smaller properties Jennifer will stay with the sheep as they graze, ensuring that no poisonous or valuable plants are eaten.

Harry and Hermoine in the car. Smooth air conditioned ride all the way in.

Fertilizer?

Sheep manure is a sought after additive for gardens. It may sound unpleasant to have sheep poop on your lawn, but it is not nearly as bad as your think. Sheep poop is nature's fertilizer pellet. Unlike cows, sheep poop is small, dry, compact, and acts like a slow release fertilizer. It can also be swept up easily and added to your compost pile. When stepped on (it does happen) it feels like stepping on bumpy soil, no squish, no mess.

Sheep poop.

Benefits of sheep

Having sheep in your back yard are many and are on both sides. Sheep are quieter than a mower so do not disturb the neighbourhood like a lawnmower does. Sheep also provide relaxation, there is nothing as relaxing as watching sheep, well almost nothing. Having livestock in your yard also provides a connection tho nature.

Our sheep are small and friendly so they are a great way to introduce all ages to livestock. Their poop provides micro-organisms to create healthy soil and of course the sheep get to eat. Being moved around helps keep the sheep healthy, and yes, even entertained.

Not just grass

In natural eco-systems grass was eaten by animals. On the great plains of North America the animals that ate the grasses were large herds of buffalo. Buffalo, like sheep, are ruminants. The prairie is known for its fertile soil. This believed to be due to the presence of  buffalo and their poop. To have lush green grass, large English estates used sheep to mow the lawns and fertilize the soil.

But grass isn't the only thing our sheep eat. Shetland sheep are great browsers too. This means that they will eat woody material such as unwanted shrubs, and bushes. They are great for clearing areas of scrub land or invasive weeds and they are more environmentally friendly than a bush hog.