Celebrity gardener Monty Don is among those supporting ‘no mow May’ with the Guernsey Pollinator Project asking us to embrace the idea too.
The idea is very simple – everyone is asked to leave their lawns alone from today until the end of the month.
That will give gardens the chance to thrive with wildflowers such as dandelions and daisies, that in turn act as pollinators, with the grass also acting as an important food source for caterpillars and other insects.
The scheme was launched by UK charity Plantlife as a citizen science initiative in 2019, and it has since gained popularity around the globe with ‘no mow May’ contributed with helping to restore butterfly numbers that have been in decline nationally.
“We need to provide more sources of nectar, have more bits of the garden where insects can thrive, and cut out the pesticides if we are going to help nature recover” said Gordon Steele, Chair of Guernsey’s Pollinator Project.
“We all have a role in helping nature, and no mow May is a great start. But why stop there? Why not give over part of your garden to wildflowers permanently. Or why not plant a Pollinator Patch? The science shows that these things really make a difference. We’re pleased to be working with Government House and Ladies College this year again to extend their Pollinator Patches. Anyone wanting a Pollinator Patch sign can contact us and we’ll provide one free of charge in May. Just email contact@pollinatorproject.gg with your details.”
There will be examples of pollinator patches at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, with Monty Don entering a ‘shaggy lawn’ featuring a garden’s natural imperfections, wildflowers, and unkempt patches.