As the growing season begins, hungry and recently emerged native bees face a critical period. In urban and suburban areas, finding floral resources is often difficult. With a view to supporting and protecting our bee neighbours, there’s plenty you can be doing to enhance the diversity and abundance of wildlife in your area.

According to Plantlife, “we have lost nearly 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1970s” and with that, No Mow May, a movement run by Plantlife, encourages homeowners and businesses to let their lawns grow free in a step to “provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution, and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground.”

What Is No Mow May? 

No Mow May is Plantlife’s annual campaign encouraging garden owners and green space managers alike to avoid mowing their lawns throughout May. 

Whilst an aesthetically pleasing, short lawn is appealing to most, the campaign is designed to address pollution and provide a space for nature. With Plantlife’s research finding that “even the smallest grassy patch can deliver many positive benefits to our communities and climates”, No Mow May is a celebration of healthier, more diverse lawns - and the protection of our pollinators! 

Why Should I Take Part in No Mow May?

Nicola Hutchinson, the director of conservation at Plantlife stated that “one in five British wildflowers is currently under threat”, proposing we must urgently pursue the revival of our wildflowers. Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem, with the strong link between pollinators' survival and habitat restoration. 

As stated by Plantlife, growing out your lawn and allowing natural habitats to flourish not only introduces vivid colours and wildlife into your green space but will also give your plants a head start before the summer. 

Considering The Duty of Wildlife, we previously explored the essential role pollinators play in keeping our gardens and surrounding environments healthy; an increased number of bees and butterflies can help reduce the number of crop pests and in turn, reduce our reliance on pesticides. 

No Mow May has similar advantages, encouraging wildlife to have a positive impact on our habitats whilst reducing the negative repercussions on our ecosystem.  

How to Participate in No Mow May

Anyone can partake in No Mow May with a quick and easy form available on the Plantlife website. Completing the form will help researchers gain valuable insights into how many gardeners and green spaces are taking part in the campaign, allowing them to see the benefits it has had on our environment at the end of the month.

After No Mow May has ended, if you wish to continue growing your own wildlife habitat, we recommend cutting sections of your lawn at different frequencies to allow short-growing flowers to thrive alongside longer ones. 

Let Habitats Flourish With Grass Science Seeds

Whilst No Mow May is a fun and easy way to help protect our pollinators: planting a variety of native plants, providing natural nesting sites, reducing pesticide use, and spreading the word about pollinator conservation can help to create thriving ecosystems that support not only pollinators but also birds, mammals, and other wildlife in the long term. 

Changes to our environment in recent years have caused wildlife numbers to decrease dramatically, with pollinators being put at high risk. When you consider planting wildflower seeds to encourage habitats and protect pollinators, you’re taking an active role in helping to restore our ecosystems. 

To learn more about our range of Wildflower and Bee Seeds or to speak to one of our experts, please get in touch today.