Extensive care

Extensive maintenance refers to a special type of land utilisation and treatment in agriculture and green space maintenance. Whereas in intensive agriculture, the land used is worked (i.e. fertilised, watered, mowed or cut) at short intervals, such interventions are much less frequent in extensive maintenance. Instead, for example, a green area is left to its own devices for a relatively long period of time. Artificial fertilisation, irrigation and the use of pesticides are largely avoided.

Influence of extensive care on plant quality

These measures have a considerable impact on the growth height of the plants, their composition and require correspondingly different mowing methods and mowing equipment than intensive grassland maintenance. Completely dispensing with maintenance is not recommended, and mowing is an important part of extensive maintenance. The reasons for using extensive maintenance can be very different. Aesthetic, ecological and economic factors all play a role. Extensive management is therefore used in very different areas. In extensive grassland management, frequent mowing is avoided for nature conservation reasons. This measure serves to preserve the original fauna and flora that can only develop under such conditions. Extensive maintenance is also used in the management of pastures and mountain pastures. Here, special mowers are used that are designed for the sometimes difficult mowing situations on slopes.