Gardeners were encouraged not to cut their lawns during May for No Mow May. Abandoning this one gardening chore allows other plants to emerge from the greensward. This helps pollinators and other insects on which our lives depend to get off to a literally flying start as they forage, mate and lay eggs. Some loathe seeing their cherished grass going wild but others enjoy the surprise of what emerges.
One Ealing resident was thrilled to see the variety of wildflowers and grasses which suddenly sprang to life. These included purple toadflax, narrow leaf hawksbeard and crested dog’s tail grass along with the ubiquitous but beautiful daisy. She loved spotting the different types of bees and butterflies which enjoyed the flowers. There even seemed to be more birds around than usual. It really lifted her spirits, making her feel that she was living in the countryside rather than a London suburb.
A vicar from a neighbouring borough told her that he had let his churchyard run wild. He was thrilled when a visiting botanist said he’d found three varieties of plant which he had never seen before. Love it or loathe it No Mow May gives a boost to our seriously threatened insect population.
May is over, so what next? People don’t have to revert to manicured gardens. Why not at least leave a small patch to grow wild?
For those who want to engage further with nature on their doorstep it’s not too late to follow The Wildlife Trusts’ June campaign, 30 Days Wild: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild.
There is a simple wildlife activity for every day of the month. Plus. there are colourful and informative resources to download from the website.
There’s also an opportunity this month to make a stand for nature protection and restoration. On Saturday 22nd June there is the Restore Nature Now demonstration: https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/restore-nature-now. Find out local organisations that are going along to Restore Nature Now. It’s being organised by a wide range of nature, wildlife, environment and climate organisations. The aim is to call on ALL political parties to make nature restoration a priority.
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