No Mow May is upon us and this allows for the perfect opportunity to support local wildlife in your garden by not doing one simple task but what exactly is No Mow May?
No Mow May was started by the conservation charity Plantlife, and is a reaction to the loss of 97% of flower-rich meadows since 1970. The charity’s aim is to encourage biodiversity in the estimated 20 million back gardens in the UK, by boosting the food sources for vital pollinators like bees and butterflies.
An increased presence of plant life is not only good for pollinators, it is also an essential support for the UK’s natural food chains. Pollinators are a common food source for many garden birds as the weather warms up.
Birds such as Spotted Flycatchers, Swallows, House Martins and Swifts feast on insects, with all catching their prey exclusively on the wing. Each of these species have struggled with decline in recent years, so providing more opportunities for food in your garden could help in supporting their numbers.
Things you can do during and after No Mow May
Below, Lucy Taylor, manager of Vine House Farm, breaks down six May gardening jobs that protect and support wildlife.
1. Let grass grow long – May is typically when grass starts to grow quickly and many will reach straight for the lawn mower in an attempt to keep their garden orderly and neat. However, No Mow May encourages us to keep this length. Try mowing every four weeks instead to allow short-growing flowers to bloom.
2. Leave weeds and wildflowers to grow a little longer – Depending on whether you want weeds in your garden or not, it will influence your decision on whether to keep them or pull them. Weeds are considered unwanted plants, but if you do wish to keep them they’d be considered wildflowers. Dandelions are like a superfood for butterflies and bees, so be mindful if you do choose to pull them. Dandelion seeds are a very important food source for some species of finch, including Bullfinches. This highlights how important it is to let ‘weeds’ grow as every part of their life cycle is vital to your local wildlife.
3. Let shrubs grow longer – Don’t prune in May, as this is the breeding season for garden birds. Nesting and fledging season continues throughout May so a cursory inspection before using your shears is important.
4. Sow wildflowers – There are many benefits to allowing wildflowers to grow. They are low-maintenance, beautiful and helpful for pollinators. You can use them to either create a meadow in place of grass turf or plant them in borders to create space for pollinators. If you feel you need to mow your grass during the month, creating space for wildflowers will ensure wildlife is still supported in some way whilst also being able to maintain your lawn.
5. Sow sunflowers – May is the beginning of the season to sow sunflowers outside as the threat of frost is over. These plants provide pollen and nectar for bees, but their seed heads are a great source of food for birds in later months. Sowing them now means your garden will support wildlife throughout the year.
6. Leave sections of grass to grow long – If you’re unable to leave your entire lawn to grow during May, leaving sections that Plantlife have dubbed “mowhicans” is the next best thing. Patches of long grass at the edges of your lawn or in out-of-the-way spots mean you can have a presentable garden that still helps out the bees and butterflies.
How you can get involved
Register your lawn or green space with Plantlife here. This helps Plantlife to monitor where grass is growing longer and helps to better understand the total number and size of lawns the UK is letting grow for nature.
Leave your lanes to grow throughout May and beyond.
