Anyone who was raised in the suburbs or was lucky enough to have a lawn, no matter how small, can remember the aromatic smell of freshly cut grass. It’s probably the reason most of you enjoy mowing the lawn every once in a while. However, what’s so unique about the smell of freshly cut grass? Why do most people like it so much? Let’s find out!
Where Does the Smell of Grass Come From?
Plants are living things. They behave similarly to animals. The same way an animal will growl when attacked by a predator is precisely what happens when the blade of a mower or an insect bite attacks grass. Instead of growling, plants release scents known as green leaf volatiles, abbreviated as GLVs. The smell of freshly cut grass is a defense mechanism comprising carbon-based compounds, acetone, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and methanol.
Reasons Why People Like the Smell of Cut Grass
So, why does freshly cut grass smell so good, yet humans do not eat grass? The GLVs released by grass are not so different from the ones produced by plants and fruits humans like to eat. This close similarity makes the smell of freshly cut grass so pleasant. It can be compared to walking past a tree with ripe mangoes. The GLVs will definitely leave your mouth watering for a bite.
When grass is cut on large scale, tiny pieces of GLVs float into the air and enter our nostrils. Surprisingly, GLVs can travel as far as 5 miles from where the grass is being cut. This is why you may get that random scent of freshly cut grass when walking down the street or sleeping in your bedroom.
There is also a psychological reason why people love the smell of freshly cut grass. Most people can track this scent back when they were young. Lawn mowing is mainly done in summer. So, smelling freshly cut grass can remind you how fun your summers were.
This scent reminisces activities such as playing outside with friends and family. If you live far away from family, this scent may remind you of the mornings you’d wake up to find your dad or grandfather outside mowing the lawn.
Besides giving us a feeling of nostalgia and calmness, the GLVs released by grass have one main responsibility – to stimulate the growth of new cells in the area that has been cut. GLVs promote faster repair of damaged grass.
Why Do Freshly Cut Grass Release the Unique Scent?
According to experts, the chemicals produced act as antibiotics that treat bacterial infections or deter fungus growth. This is why we referred to the release of GLVs as a defense mechanism earlier. GLVs are also released to warn other grass in the area that it has been damaged. It explains why these compounds can travel for a long distance.
On the contrary, scientists have discovered that GLVs can sometimes attract insects. Grass releases this scent to signal food availability to nearby insects and is one of nature’s wonders. Scientists have concluded that if these green leaf volatiles are removed, insects such as wasps no longer become attracted to grass.
It’s not just grass that has a sweet scent. People living near tea plantations also experience a pleasant smell when the tea is being harvested. It’s just that grass is more common than other plants, especially in urban settings. So, when it’s mowed, the GLVs significantly change the scent and quality of air.
Is the Smell of Freshly Cut Grass Always The Same?
The chemicals released when grass is cut differ depending on the species or type of grass. However, the scent is more or less the same. For instance, Couch and Fescue grasses have a stronger scent than Buffalo grasses. Environmental factors such as humidity and wind can also determine the intensity of this smell.
Another key factor determining the intensity of the scent of GLVs is the time grass is cut. If grass is cut in the early morning, the smell will be stronger because most plants release GLVs early in the morning. The presence of dew also interacts with these chemicals to create an aromatic scent.
Conclusion
Even though the smell of freshly cut grass is a cry for horror, to human beings, it’s a pleasant scent known to have several mental health benefits. Some people find this scent relaxing, whereas in others, it may improve their mood. Whichever the case, it’s a scent that one can’t ignore. GLVs may protect grass from fungi, frost, or insect damage. Unfortunately, there isn’t much these chemicals can do to the blade of a lawn mower.