When your lawn transforms into a colourful spring wonderland — with anemones, dandelions, tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, snowdrops, or lily of the valley — it’s tempting to tidy up as soon as the petals drop. But hold off on that mower! Those leaves may look a bit untidy, but they’re doing crucial behind-the-scenes work. After blooming, the leaves continue to photosynthesise — converting sunlight into energy. This energy is stored in the bulb underground, fueling next year’s flowers. If you cut the leaves too early, you rob the bulb of its ability to recharge, and next spring’s display might be disappointing or even absent.

While there may not be a federal law that specifically bans mowing over bulbs too early, many German towns — especially ones pushing “natural lawn” or Bienenwiese initiatives — have local ordinances or at least recommendations encouraging delayed mowing in spring, naturalising flower lawns and leaving parts of the garden wild for biodiversity.
In some districts (like parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony), early mowing in public green spaces or rented allotment gardens (Schrebergärten) may even go against local garden rules (Gartenordnung). It’s always worth checking your municipality or Kleingartenverein‘s guidelines.

Delaying your mowing until bulb leaves fade isn’t just better for your plants — it’s better for bees, bugs, birds, and even your next bloom season. Think of it as nature’s recharge period: hands off, and let the garden do its thing.