Will you be taking part in #NoMowMay? If not, may we encourage you. It is one of the easiest ways to encourage biodiversity in your garden!
What is No Mow May?
It is exactly what it says, stop mowing your grass for the whole of the month of May to encourage native plants in your grass to grow, flower and provide food for native insects, particularly bees.
If you do not like the idea of a messy lawn for a month, try leaving an area of it unmown for May to see what happens. Some of our friends and clients who take part, keep mowing grass seen by others, usually a front lawn and leave the back to grow.
The initiative is organised by Plant Life , a British conservation charity working to save threatened wild-flowers, plants and fungi. At the end of May the charity encourages you to join their “Every Flower Counts” survey so you can find out more about encouraging native wildflowers into your garden.
Other ways to encourage wildlife and biodiversity
Plant choice is critical to help our bees and other insects. The more layers of petals in a flower (double forms) the more difficult it is for the insects to find the pollen and nectar. Simple open forms of flowers can be just as beautiful and more bee friendly.
Wildlife ponds and birdbaths
Providing water in the garden encourages birds and insects. Make sure there are pebbles poking out at the water’s edge. Birds and insects will perch on these to reach the water without getting wet. In dry sunny spells check the water level and top up, preferably from a water butt. If you use tap water, leave it in a bucket for a few hours before adding to a pond, this allows the chemicals used to purify the water so we can drink it to disperse. It is amazing how quickly water can evaporate from a pond or bird bath.
If you are unsure how to make your garden more wildlife friendly, give Chopwell a call. Our friendly professional team have many tips and hints of small changes that can have a big impact on the wildlife in your garden.
