People 'banned' from mowing lawns until date in July after warning from experts
Garden lovers are being urged to put their lawn mowers away until a date in July, following a stark warning from gardening gurus.
The unpredictable April showers and the sunny onset of May have left many with green fingers eager to cut their grass, but experts are now advising against it. The push to postpone cutting the grass has been backed by none other than Sir David Attenborough, who has called on the public to delay their usual summer garden tidying.
Wildlife experts are backing this call, pointing out the significance of the common daisies, weeds, and wildflowers that populate our gardens for breeding insects such as bees, butterflies, and even wasps, as reported by the Express. These tiny creatures are pivotal for pollination and maintaining a thriving ecosystem during these critical months.
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Cutting the grass too soon can interfere with this natural process and potentially lead to a decline in essential insect populations that are already facing threats and are fundamental to our own existence. Plantlife, a UK wildlife organisation, has emphasised the gravity of the situation by stating: "We've lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies.
"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."
Sir David Attenborough said on BBC's Wild Isles nature programme about the UK: "Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows. Sadly, in the last 60 years, we've lost 97 per cent 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."
Monty Don has previously given the date of June 21, whereas Sir David opts for mid-July, which would be July 15. Certainly, the longer you can go from now to July 15 the better.
Several groups and authorities across the UK have pledged to take part in No Mow May 2024. Newport City Homes said: "This year, Newport City Homes will be taking part in Plantlife's bee-friendly campaign, No Mow May.
"The campaign encourages individuals and social landlords to help bees, butterflies, and other wildlife by letting wildflowers grow on lawns and green spaces throughout May instead of mowing them."
NHS Grampian in Scotland also expressed their support for the initiative, stating: "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."