We know that with summer just around the corner, we all want to spend more time enjoying our gardens, if the weather permits! For most people, that means keeping your lawn cut and low, so it can be used for lounging, playing and other summer activities.
But keeping the lawn trimmed is also a massive loss and burden to the local wildlife. Studies have shown that due to the use of insecticides, habitat loss and an overall reduction in biodiversity, many British pollinating insects are in major decline.
No Mow May is a campaign launched by Plantlife in 2019, which urges people to let their lawn grow throughout the whole month of May. You simply need to put the lawnmower away for a few weeks and allow the grass and wildflowers to grow freely throughout your garden.
But why do it? Well, there are loads of benefits to not mowing this May! Here are some of the major advantages and why you should consider getting involved:
Pollen for Pollinators
Letting wildflowers grow provides essential habitats and food sources for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths.
As these insects rely on nectar and pollen, it is crucial that they have enough wildflowers to sustain them throughout the entirety of spring and summer.
Enhancing the Ecosystem
Longer grass can support a variety of other insects such as beetles, spiders, and grasshoppers. These are an important food source for many birds and other animals, while also helping to pollinate plants and break down organic matter in the soil.
By providing habitats for these insects, you are supporting the whole ecosystem within your garden.
Healthy and Happy Soil
Longer grass is beneficial for the overall health of your lawn, as it can help to promote healthy soil by providing a natural mulch that will improve soil fertility and retain moisture during any summer dry spells.
Combating Climate Change
Not mowing your lawn also helps to reduce climate change! When the unmown grasses die, they will be consumed by microorganisms and fungi that will trap the carbon back into the soil, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.
Reducing the amount of released carbon helps to slow global warming and impacts the overall future of our planet.
Don’t Stop There!
You don’t have to stop mowing in just May either! Keeping areas of your lawn un-mowed all throughout summer can help massively, and figures have shown that if you mow less, the pollen count on your lawn can increase drastically.
However long you choose to stop mowing will be a benefit to the local environment, so we hope more people will get involved this year!