No Mow May

No Mow May is upon us and this allows for the perfect opportunity to support local wildlife in your garden.

What 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 aims to encourage biodiversity in the estimated 20 million back gardens in the UK by boosting the food sources for vital pollinators like butterflies and bees. 

The presence of more plant life is not only good for pollinators but 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 house martins, spotted flycatchers, swallows and swifts feast on insects, with some catching their prey exclusively on the wing. Each of these species has struggled with decline in recent years so providing more opportunities for food in your garden could help support their numbers.

1. Let grass grow long – May is typically when grass starts to grow quickly and many will reach straight for the mower in an attempt to keep their garden orderly. However,  try mowing every four weeks instead, to allow short-growing flowers to bloom.

2. Leave weeds for a little longer – Dandelions, in particular, are like a superfood for butterflies and bees so don’t remove every weed you see throughout May. Dandelion seeds are also 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. Check shrubs for nests before trimming – May is also a time to begin pruning, but it’s super important to check your shrubs before starting any work so that you don’t disturb any nesting bird families. Nesting and fledgling season continues throughout May, so a cursory inspection before using your shears is important.

4. Sow wildflowers – Wildflowers 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 wish to mow your grass regularly, creating a space for wildflowers will ensure wildlife is still supported in some way.

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. Opt for wild or ornamental grasses – If you don’t want to let your turf grow long, you could opt for planting wild or ornamental grasses. These grass variations grow long and wild in beautiful displays. Their sturdy nature is particularly attractive for butterflies to lay their eggs, meaning birds like Blackbirds will have caterpillars to eat.

7. 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.