Gardeners hoping to encourage wildflowers and attract pollinators are being advised to avoid mowing their lawns this spring. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recommends leaving grass uncut during the season to create a flower-rich lawn or wildflower meadow.
For conventional lawns, mowing once a week or fortnight is advised, but those aiming for a more natural look should hold off until summer. The RHS suggests participating in 'No Mow May', a campaign launched in 2019 by the conservation charity Plantlife.
The initiative aims to combat the decline of flower-rich meadows, 97% of which have been lost in the UK since the 1930s. By leaving lawns unmown in May, wild plants such as daisies, dandelions and clovers can bloom, providing vital support for bees and butterflies.
Gardeners can choose to leave their entire lawn untouched or dedicate a specific patch to wildflowers. Regular mowing can resume in June, with fortnightly cuts recommended, though some may opt to delay further.
Plantlife describes No Mow May as one of the easiest ways to help the environment, emphasising that even small patches of wild growth can make a significant difference to nature.
