Plantlife Hosts the 6th Annual No Mow May Campaign: Skipping the mower this spring could turn your lawn into a buzzing, blooming sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife thrive right at your doorstep
The sun is finally peeking from the clouds, birds, bees, butterflies, and all natures beings are coming out of hiding, and we turn our attention to the beauty of the outdoors. No Mow May is an opportunity to do something beneficial for our beautiful natural world and show our appreciation whilst taking a break from one of our chores or a month.
No Mow May is an annual campaign that was started by Plantlife, to tackle the decline in flower-rich meadows and support and enrich the biodiversity that sprouts from our natural world.
Plantlife, the wild plant conservation charity, is an organisation with a mission to protect and restore our nature to secure a world rich in wild plants and fungi. They started the campaign ‘No Mow May’ back in 2019, challenging people to avoid taking out their lawnmowers for a whole month.
Choosing to let you garden grow encourages a healthy lawn, and this provides food to the wildlife as well as tackles pollution, locking the carbon below ground.
Why is your participation important?
There are many benefits to not cutting your grass, not only does it mean you have one less chore to worry about for a month, it also can be a big step in our fight against climate change and helping nature thrive right at our doorsteps. Putting away the lawnmower contributes to:
Biodiversity: You may ask what is biodiversity? Well, it describes the wide variety of living thigs like insects, plants, and animals. Letting your grass grow wild creates a healthy environment for all kinds of living things.
Long grass often means more wildflowers like dandelions and clover, which provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Did you know that taller grass can be a safe space for hedgehogs, bugs, beetles, frogs, and even small mammals to hide from predators and harsh weather?
A more natural lawn also helps the soil become richer and healthier. That’s because it supports worms, fungi and tiny organisms that improve soil quality; helping your plants, trees, and plants thrive.
Plus, your garden can become a great nesting and feeding space for birds, thanks to all the extra insects and seeds.
Restoration: Around 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s. Along with them we’ve also lost important food sources and homes that are fundamental for local wildlife to thrive. Even letting your garden grow wild for just for a month, can help bring some of that nature back and give wildlife a chance to thrive and spread again.
Across the world, the number of animals like mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians has dropped by an average of 68 percent between 1970 and 2016, so what we do now really matters.
Here, in County Durham we are focusing on protecting local species like brownfield butterflies, moths, and the white letter hair streak butterfly. These local insects need our help to survive and keep their place in our local ecosystem.
Helping our environment: Growing free also helps store carbon in our grounds and encourages a healthy ecosystem. Having longer grass also improves soil health and water retention meaning you need to reduce the need to use so much water.
Get involved
Getting involved is as simple as leaving your lawn mower tucked away, and letting nature take its course with your garden. It can save you a bit of money too if your lawn mower is electric or petrol.
The size of your garden, or yard, does not matter. Whilst a bigger patch of grass may make a bigger impact, taking part even if you only have a small space can still have an impact. Plantlife said “Even the smallest wild patch can provide vital food needed by bees and butterflies, connecting us with nature and giving nature the best start to summer”.
Alternatively, you may not have a grassy patch at all, you can still support by sharing the campaign and encouraging participation amongst your friends and family. You also could build or buy a small wildflower patch to sit in pots in your yard or even by your doorstep, which also would give your home a bit of colour and a welcoming feel.
This campaign can really make a difference. Have you ever wondered what might be hiding and thriving in your garden if you let it grow wild for a month? When we let our grass grow, in our Greenlane office in Spennymoor, we discovered that there were orchards peeking out within the green. So, who knows what might be hiding in yours? And make sure to tag us m on Facebook or email directly if you find anything.
Every blade of grass plays a role in supporting our ecosystem. So, will you be taking part in this year’s challenge? You can learn more and register on the Plantlife website now.
We would love to hear from you
Share your stories, experiences, and photos of nature, and send us a few lines on how you are helping protect our environment in County Durham. Whether it is something you do personally, a community project you may be involved in, a business change or action, or even a great photo of nature. We want to celebrate and share your efforts and views.
Send us your stories or photos (with a short explanation) by emailing climatecountydurham@durham.gov.uk or by filling in our “Get in Touch form” and help inspire others across our beautiful county to take action. And don’t forget to sign up to our Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Pledge.
