As seems to be the way nowadays, the issue of whether to mow your lawn, or whether grass verges should be mowed or left to grow wild seems to have become polarised, writes Erin McDaid of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
The debate has been driven largely by initiatives such as Plantlife’s No Mow May Movement — a great initiative designed to encourage gardeners, community groups and local authorities to hold off on mowing grass in the month of May to allow more flowers to thrive for vital pollinators.
Anything that helps raise awareness of the pressure wildlife is under and stimulates positive action has to be a good thing in my book, but as is so often the case, the debate can become a bit divisive. As No Mow May has gathered momentum over the years there have been unofficial calls for grass not to be cut throughout the summer — raising concerns about what happens to wildlife such as froglets that takes up residence in longer grass when the mower finally gets wheeled out. Some have also used the campaign as a stick to beat local councils with rather than an opportunity for positive dialogue.
Whilst the decision to hold off cutting your own lawn is very straightforward, councils have to balance issues such as road safety when deciding when to cut verges. Some councils also don’t yet have the right sort of kit to cope with cutting very long grass or to collect and remove long cuttings. Whilst it is right to challenge our councils to do more for nature, it's worth bearing in mind that some decisions are more complex than they might at first appear.
In 2004 we launched our ‘Blue Butterfly Scheme’ with the aim of getting councils across the county to restore or create wildflower grasslands in parks, cemeteries and other public spaces to help offset the tragic loss of between 97% and 99% of traditional wildflower meadows. Whilst we were successful in persuading authorities to take part, not all residents appreciated grass being left longer. Complaints ranged from sites looking ‘untidy’, to concerns about dogs getting soaking wet whilst running through long grass — I kid you not.
20 years on, you’d like to think that the public is more aware of and receptive to efforts to support nature — but from our work with councils, it appears that whilst many are quick to criticise them for cutting too much, others still complain about what they see as cost cutting measures and mess.
No Mow May has undoubtedly raised awareness of the long-term loss of natural grasslands, the plight of pollinators and the steps we can take to give nature a helping hand. It also provides a great platform to push councils to consider changes — but you might find that a positive word of encouragement works just as well as a negative complaint. It's great to see signs across the county explaining that areas, particularly verges, are being left for nature. This was a basic tenet of our Blue Butterfly Scheme and helps ensure people are aware that areas are not simply being neglected. Signs also raise further awareness and encourage people to think what they might do for nature themselves.
As with most issues, the best solutions lie somewhere in the middle ground. A gardener that likes their lawn kept short can still help pollinators by leaving a section uncut or planting other nectar bearing plants. Here at the trust, whilst our meadows won’t be cut until the end of the summer to allow pollinators to thrive, seeds to set and ground nesting birds to rear their broods in safety, we do cut back grass alongside busy pathways. Most things in life are not black and white. This is certainly the case when it comes to managing land for nature.
So, whilst we should embrace initiatives such as No Mow May, we should try to avoid becoming the grass cutting ‘police’. We all need to do more to support nature but we shouldn’t focus on just one solution. Whilst people continue to rip up their lawns to replace them with the dreaded ‘plastic grass’, we should perhaps be a bit more forgiving of an avid gardener who still happens to like his lawn to look like a bowling green.
Stay Connected:
Why not go orchid ‘hunting’ as part of this year’s 30 Days Wild challenge. With June just around the corner there is still time to sign up to ensure you have a ‘wild’ month — connecting with nature in different ways each and every day. Sign up online for your free pack which includes herb seeds to attract pollinators and add flavour in the kitchen at nottinghamshirewildlife.org/30-days-wild-1.
Join thousands of people across the UK in making time for nature, with inspiration and ideas from the Wildlife Trusts.
