Oops - maybe I left it a bit long before mowing my lawn - I've got one of those Qualcast Mow'N'Trim things - like a strimmer with a replaceable plastic "blade", on wheels. The strain of dealing with the somewhat luxuriant growth melted the blade (ok, in the interests of accuracy, it's more like a coffee stirrer), and it spanged off as I was just about done. Still, a pyrrhic victory for the lawn, as while the edges are still a little ragged, the remainder looks a lot better. (I say lawn because it has grass - it's only about six by ten, so no visions of expansive striped acres, please.)
And in a horticultural tip ... should one wish to acquire a nice, leaf-covered wall, there is a simple solution. Simply mix in with the sand used to make the render a handful of bindweed roots. This will ensure that the next occupant of your flat will discover leafy tendrils appearing out of the front garden wall at random locations ... [grin]