Yahoo News David Attenborough's stark warning to avoid common garden chore until July
Sir David Attenborough has urged Brits to 'delay mowing' their lawns - and told people that this common gardening task shouldn't occur until mid-July.
With April having been wet and dreary, many green-fingered folks are likely itching for the opportunity to freshen up their lawns as summer approaches. Despite this, advocates of the 'No Mow May' campaign are encouraging Brits to leave their grass a bit longer, according to the Daily Record.
The reasoning behind this plea is not only about aesthetics but also related to the welfare of our insect populations. Bugs such as butterflies, bees, and wasps rely heavily upon the likes of daisies and other plants growing between lawn blades in order to pollinate and sustain their ecosystems.
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Sir David corroborated these warnings on the BBC's Wild Isles nature documentary. He highlighted that trimming off the long grass can disrupt and even kill off these crucial insects, which form an integral part of the world's ecosystem.
He said: "Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows. Sadly, in the last 60 years, we've lost 97% of this precious habitat.
"But with nature-friendly farming, meadows can be restored to provide a haven for wildlife. It's all about the timing. Delaying mowing until mid-July allows birds and insects to complete their breeding and flowers to set their seed."
Wildlife alliance Plantlife pioneered the No Mow May campaign, advising British people to forego lawn-shaping during April and May to promote natural growth.
"We've lost approximately 97 per cent of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies." said Plantlife.
"But your lawn can help! A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground. With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate."
Backing the initiative is NHS Grampian, who advocated their support on their website, which said: "Let it grow, let it grow! We're taking part in No Mow May again this year, with many patches of our estate across NHS Grampian already left to grow wild. Not only does this allow all those essential pollinators to get to work and in turn support our food industry but it enriches the soil (and the 'beasties') underneath, and helps to clean the air."
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