Respondents intend to restrict lawn mowing to merely once in May, as per a survey backing the No Mow May initiative.
In a growing movement to support pollinators, the 'May Mow' campaign has been gaining traction among gardeners across the UK. Although the initiative was not explicitly attributed to a specific organization in search results, it has been complemented by similar initiatives like the 'Leave The Leaves' campaign from the Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership (CVBP).
As more people recognise the benefits, wild plants and longer lawns are being seen as a haven for wildlife. A recent poll shows that 70% of women and 64% of men are considering participating in May Mow this year, indicating a growing awareness of the importance of supporting wildlife in gardens.
The May Mow campaign encourages people to leave their mowers in the shed for the whole of May and leave their lawns unmown. However, it also emphasises the importance of regular lawn care throughout the year. The poll demonstrates that people are more aware of the benefits of less frequent mowing and later mowing for the benefit of wildlife.
Interestingly, the poll also revealed that 46% of respondents aim to mow no more than once over the course of May, while 33% of people said they will aim to mow once a fortnight or once every three weeks. Only 3% of people plan on mowing their lawn more than once a week, with 20% of men, compared with 15% of women, intending to mow weekly.
The campaign has also resonated with local councils, with many adjusting their approach to mowing, reducing their activity on roadside verges and public lawns. This shift in approach can be hugely beneficial to wildlife, as leaving an area of long grass can provide a rich food source and habitat for various species.
A study published this month showed that leaving areas of grass long can increase your garden butterflies by 93%. Sarah Shuttleworth, senior ecological advisor at Plantlife, stated that leaving lawns unmown in May allows a variety of wild plants to flower and flourish, providing a rich food source for wildlife.
In addition to less frequent mowing, Plantlife encourages people to avoid using herbicides or fertilisers, avoid using moss killer, allow plants time to set seed before mowing, and remove grass cuttings to prevent nutrient build-up on lawns.
With an estimated 23 million gardens in the UK, the potential for better managed grassland habitat - even if it's just a small patch of lawn - is immense. As more people embrace the May Mow campaign and similar initiatives, the UK's gardens could become a vital source of food and habitat for our declining pollinator populations.
As the May Mow campaign was set up in response to the fact that approximately 97% of wildflower meadows have been eradicated in less than a century, it's clear that every small step towards a wilder garden can make a significant difference. With 84% of respondents considering it important to look after the environment and support conservation efforts, it seems that the UK is ready to take on this challenge.
