Campaigners are urging gardeners to let patches of grass and plants in their gardens to grow taller as the annual No Mow May movement gave way to Let it Bloom June this week.
No Mow May was started in 2019 by Plantlife, a charity organisation for wild plants and fungi. The follow-on campaign continues its central message by encouraging the continuation of longer grass techniques throughout the summer.
“Quite often people think that it’s just about May, and it isn’t,” said Jules Walkey, campaign manager for No Mow May. “People go so much further and go throughout the summer, letting all those wildflowers grow and to provide vital food needed by bees and butterflies, and to connect with nature on our doorstep.”
The hope is to encourage individuals and councils across the country to let their grass grow long, even if it’s just one area of it.
“The funny thing about No Mow May is, firstly, it’s not just about May, but also it’s not just about not mowing completely,” said Walkey.
Since lots of wildlife have adapted to manmade harvesting techniques, many now thrive in shorter areas. By encouraging a variety of grass lengths, “you’re creating different microhabitats. So actually that’s even better, that you do that,” Walkey explained.
This also makes it easier for those who need part of their garden space for practical reasons, or for accessibility, to take part.
While monthly campaigns have been criticised for emphasising short term approaches to long term issues, their wider impact is significant.
“There is a bit of societal change around it,” said William Hinchliffe, deputy curator of the Living Collections at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
He credits No Mow May for bringing about a wider awareness to natural land management. “There’s an expectation from the public now that we are managing our landscape in a looser and more nature friendly way,” he said.
