Get the lowdown on No Mow May: Five specialists share tips on readying your turf for this eco-friendly choice
No Mow May, a popular annual campaign, urges people to let their lawns grow wild throughout May to create urban and suburban havens for wildlife, wildflowers, and grasses. Gardening expert James Ewens, from Green Feathers, emphasizes the importance of No Mow May, as habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change threaten pollinators.
Adopting a low-maintenance approach, skipping mowing for a month can make a significant difference for the environment, providing a vital food source and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. So, here's your guide to making your No Mow May a success.
James Ewens, a wildlife and gardening expert at Green Feathers, recommends adding wildflowers to your lawn to optimize food sources for wildlife. Before introducing them, make sure to remove lawn clippings first to prevent nutrient buildup that can inhibit wildflower growth. Wildflowers tend to emerge better from a short lawn, so keep mowing as usual before May unless you're hoping for spring wildflowers.
Before embarking on No Mow May, carefully select areas that will work best for your garden. You might not be able to let your entire garden grow wild without spoiling your long-term garden plans, so choose sections wisely. Consider keeping access paths mown, or areas of high foot traffic. Alternatively, leave a small patch to grow while maintaining the rest of your garden.
It's essential to remember that grasses and plants aren't equally beneficial to biodiversity and pollinators. Some invasive species may even be harmful. Instead, consider planting bluebells, rosemary, or wallflowers, which are very attractive to bees and insects. Many native species, like flowering clover, daisies, and even dandelions, will provide essential nectar for wildlife.
After a month of no disturbance, there might be various wildlife residing in your unmowed grass, such as frogs or hedgehogs. Before mowing, gently disturb the grass to encourage these creatures to move off, and always check for wildlife before cutting to avoid injury.
Leaving your lawn may lead to damaged areas that might require reseeding. If this is the case, scarify your lawn (remove dead grass and debris), aerate the reseeding area, and level the soil. Distribute seeds evenly, lightly cover them, and keep the area well-watered for optimal growth.
At the end of May, carefully approach mowing, starting gradually and making sure to check for signs of wildlife before mowing. For your post-No Mow May wildlife corner, consider adding natural features such as logs, shrubs, or even a small pond to increase biodiversity.
Simple additions like vertical planters, hanging baskets, or planting a few trees or hedges can significantly boost biodiversity. If you're feeling crafty, try building a bee hotel—an inexpensive and fun project to support pollinators after No Mow May.
When mowing, consider using a strimmer (like the Black+Decker Strimmer Grass Trimmer from Amazon) to cut grass length before going in with a lawnmower, and set your mower blades high before lowering them over time to avoid damaging your mower and shocking the lawn.
By planting native wildflowers, creating pollinator-friendly habitats, and adopting sustainable lawn care practices, you can encourage a thriving ecosystem and provide significant support for pollinators in your garden.
- To optimize food sources for wildlife during No Mow May, consider adding wildflowers to your lawn, ensuring to clear lawn clippings before introducing them.
- Carefully select areas in your garden for No Mow May, choosing sections wisely to avoid spoiling your long-term garden plans.
- After a month of no disturbance, gently disturb the grass before mowing to encourage wildlife to move off and always check for wildlife before cutting.
- If damaged areas require reseeding after No Mow May, scarify your lawn, aerate the reseeding area, level the soil, distribute seeds, lightly cover them, and keep the area well-watered for optimal growth.
- By adopting sustainable lawn care practices and creating pollinator-friendly habitats, you can encourage a thriving ecosystem and provide significant support for pollinators in your garden.
- simple additions like vertical planters, hanging baskets, or planting a few trees or hedges can significantly boost biodiversity, and building a bee hotel can be an inexpensive and fun DIY project for supporting pollinators after No Mow May.
