Have you thought about No Mow May?

We are encouraging you to leave your lawnmower in the shed and let your lawn grow long, just for the month of May. In this way, smaller plants like clover, daisies, dandelions, and selfheal will get a chance to flower and provide nectar and pollen for the bees and butterflies at a time when the spring flowers (including tree flowers) have finished but the summer flowers are not quite there yet. If you are not comfortable with the slightly untidy look then mow some paths so that it all looks like a plan (and then tell your neighbours about the bees and butterflies!).

Since 2019 Plantlife have been running their No Mow May campaign, but why does not mowing your lawn for one month of the year make any real difference for nature? Beekeepers talk of the ‘June gap’ but the thinking is much the same. There is a period of time, between spring flowers being in bloom (plus many trees flowering) and summer flowers being in abundance, when there can be a dearth of blooms and thereby a dearth of pollen and nectar. For beekeepers this can come at a time when their colonies of bees have already begun to build up in numbers and so they will keep an eye on their hives to make sure all those hungry bees are finding enough to eat. The situation is just the same for bumblebees, butterflies and all the other insects that rely on nectar and pollen. Those insects are fairly near the bottom of the food chain and so the knock-on effect can be considerable.

How hard can it be to NOT mow? What would stop you from leaving your lawn for a month so that the wild flowers within it can bloom and be enjoyed by both you and nature?

Maybe you like your garden to look tidier than that, in which case you could think about leaving just one corner unmown, or maybe mow some paths through this longer grass, or round the edge of the lawn to make it clear that this is definitely a plan and not just idleness!

Are you not sure what others might think? Then you might like to consider getting a sign to explain what you are doing and why. The image of bees above is a metal sign available to buy on eBay at the time of writing.

If you have responsibility for mowing, or getting someone else to mow, any areas outside of your own garden – recreation grounds, village greens, verges – are there areas that could safely be left unmown for May without causing too much inconvenience?

Hopefully you will spot a few ERA posters promoting No Mow May around the area during the relevant time. If you would like one to put up somewhere then do get in touch and I will get that sorted for you.

Follow-up note:

As May progresses and we even have a bit of rain, lawns and verges are growing apace.

Here’s a sample of shaggy lawns - do send a picture of yours and we’ll add it. Email photos to ecorotheraction@outlook.com.