Ecology experts are encouraging households to take part in No Mow May, as they praise its positive impact on wildlife.
The initiative, started by nature charity Plantlife in 2019, asks households to let grass and wildflowers grow during the month of May.
And with the UK’s wildlife under increasing pressure from habitat loss and climate change, ecology experts from Arbtech say there is no better time to take action.
They are also encouraging households to extend their efforts beyond May, by creating a year-round biodiverse meadow patch for wildlife.
This comes after a survey conducted by the experts revealed 32% of people admitted to taking no action to support or protect wildlife, despite 89% of people expressing concern about the reduction of wildlife in the UK.
Something as small as holding off mowing your grass for four weeks can positively impact garden wildlife and help Britons start to make contributions to biodiversity efforts.
Allowing grass and wildflowers to grow creates better conditions for pollinators to feed, breed and shelter, while also helping to develop a mini-habitat for plants.
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “Delaying mowing your grass is really the easiest approach anyone can take to helping out wildlife. Our recent survey shows us that although a vast amount of people are concerned about the decline in wildlife, a staggering 32% do absolutely nothing to help.
“No Mow May offers households an opportunity to see the benefits of a less-manicured lawn. Rethinking lawn care can make a big impact in gardens across the UK, and can hopefully encourage more people to prioritise wildlife and conservation efforts.
“We love the premise of encouraging households to let their garden grow over the month of May, but also want to stress that mowing at the beginning of June (which is the start of the flowering season) could take away the wonderful wildlife habitat you have created.
“A nice compromise in this regard for those who can’t get on board with letting it grow too long (maybe landlords are picky about tidiness) is a x4 weekly mow throughout the season as this allows grass to attain a reasonable length and flowers in the lawn to repeatedly flower.
“In order to really help garden wildlife, you could consider growing a year-round meadow spot in your garden. Creating a biodiverse lawn with slow growing grasses and native wildflower species will make a positive impact on declining habitats.”
Here are six benefits of letting your garden grow, according to Arbtech:
- Helps pollinators
Putting off mowing your grass can help pollinators as flowering plants like dandelions, clover and violets can bloom freely, providing essential nutrition for bees and butterflies.
- Reduce soil issues
Allowing your grass to stay longer means the soil is shaded and protects it from heat, which can improve soil systems and make your garden more resilient to drought and frost.
- Encourage wildflower growth
Leaving your grass unmown allows existing wildflowers to flourish. It can also open up space for new wildflower seeds to germinate, providing food and shelter for insects.
- Cool down the garden
Taller grass is better at cooling the atmosphere than fresh-cut grass, meaning your garden will feel much more comfortable during warm May weather.
- Reduce carbon use
Leaving your mower alone for a month means you won’t be using any form of fossil fuel to power it up, meaning you are actively reducing your carbon footprint.
- Enjoy your new garden
By the end of the month of no mowing, you should see a difference in your garden. After seeing the benefits of letting your grass grow longer for the month, you may want to consider growing a permanent meadow spot in your garden, where wildflowers, insects and wildlife can thrive.
