No Mow May is Plantlife’s annual campaign that encourages us to manage our lawns for nature by cutting our grass less and for longer. Essentially, it is all about locking up our lawnmowers and giving pollinators, likes bees and butterflies, a head start! As we enter May, why not get involved and try your hand at gardening for nature?

Wildflowers (such as dandelions and white clover) are often referred to as weeds, with gardens covered in them being viewed as untidy and uncared for. But these ‘weeds’ are actually a fantastic food source for pollinators, so leaving them in your garden is a big act of care! Moving our thinking away from well-manicured lawns and to recognising the importance of ‘weeds’ is a key step towards gardening for nature.

Since the 1930s, we have lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows, which means we have lost vital food sources that our pollinators need. But your garden can help! Long grass, peppered with wildflowers, is one of the rarest habitats in our well-tended gardens, yet it is incredibly beneficial for wildlife. Leaving patches of long grass can encourage different plant species to grow, help insects to thrive, create feeding opportunities for birds and provide shelter for small mammals. In fact, the less pristine the lawn, the more promising it is for wildlife!

No grassy area is too small either, as with more than 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest wild patch, flowerpot, or flowerbed, can provide a vital habitat and food source that can support a wide range of insects and other animals.

No Mow May is a great and easy way to get involved, whether you’re in a city, town or the countryside. Set aside a patch in your garden and let nature take control – all you need to do is quite simply, nothing. No mowing, no weeding, no digging!

You may be thinking why May? This is when lots of our wonderful wild plants are starting to get going and so letting them grow during this month gives them a great head start for the summer. If you can leave your grass mow-free for longer, it will give an even bigger boost to nature!

If you are able to set aside a large area of lawn but still looking for it to have that neat look, cutting a path through your wild patch can instantly make it look more cared for. Plus it allows you to wander through your patch to see what wildlife it has attracted! Perhaps you’ll be able to spot some these butterfly species:

There are also plenty of ways to get involved without a lawn – you could spread the word, get involved with/start a community meadow, or plant a mini wildflower in a pot – perfect if you have an outdoor space but no lawn.

You can find out more about No Mow May and how to take part by visiting Plantlife’s website here.

To find out more about what the Trust is doing to help pollinators click here.

Don’t forget to take a before and after photo to see the ‘wild’ difference in your lawn! You can share your photos by using #NoMowMay.

-Rachel Faichnie, Engagement Officer