insideKENT Magazine Issue 145 - May 2024 | Page 176

HOME + GARDEN

NO MOW MAY

ALLOW WILDLIFE TO THRIVE AND FLOWERS TO BLOOM BY DITCHING YOUR LAWNMOWER THIS MONTH .

With May marking the transition between glorious spring and summer , and the warmer days encouraging us to get back out into our green spaces , we are often looking at sprucing up our lawns and tidying up our plants to welcome new beginnings - but is this beneficial for our gardens overall ?

Plantlife , a wild plant conservation charity with a mission is to protect our wild flora and fungi , proudly urges the nation to join their annual No Mow May initiative , which is relevant to all garden owners or green space managers and highlights why stepping away from excessively cutting back growing greenery for a month ( or longer !) promotes numerous benefits towards the health of our natural environments . From supporting our vital pollinators to securing the longterm condition of our grass , here is why you should consider joining thousands throughout the nation this year in bringing our green spaces back to life .
Championed heavily is the helping hand it lends to our ecosystem . According to statistics gathered by Plantlife , since the 1930s we have lost nearly 97 % of flowerrich meadows and therefore essential food needed by pollinators , such as bees and butterflies , which rely on flowering grasses for nectar and pollen . Long and luscious grass provides integral habitats and food for our insects and wildlife , alongside supporting our pollinators , aiding them as they play a crucial role in ecosystem health and food production .
It also allows our outside spaces to be a bountiful hub of biodiversity , creating sheltered homes for many small mammals and birds . During this season , our grass surges into an active growing phase and is due to reach its peak greenery , so by holding off on cutting , we can ultimately encourage healthier roots and blades . This also means that blades have a larger surface area for photosynthesis , subsequently boosting production of energy and nutrients which will strengthen roots and make the lawn more
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