What Grows When You Don’t Mow?

The traditional English garden is usually seen as being made up of a fine-cut lawn together with neat and regularly – even ruthlessly – weeded flower beds. But that orthodoxy has been challenged in recent years as we discover the many benefits of letting at least some of our gardens go wild for at least some of the year.

One way this new trend has been manifested is through the No Mow May campaign, in which we are all encouraged to leave our mowers in the shed for a month and allow our lawns to do their own thing. But what does this actually achieve – apart from giving us more time to do things that are more fun? The Tithe Green Natural Burial team has been investigating.

Why No Mow May matters

Since the 1930s, the UK is estimated to have lost an almost unbelievable 97% of its wildflower meadows as development for both homes and agriculture takes up more of the land.

This isn’t just a bad thing because wildflower meadows are beautiful to look at. These habitats also attract and feed pollinators that play a vital part in the growth and reproduction of all our plants and crops. These plants – and the many insects that live in and around them – in turn provide food for birds and mammals, including ourselves.

In short, the loss of the habitats that attract pollinators has a devastating long-term effect on the well-being of the planet and our ability to feed ourselves.

By not cutting your lawn – even for just that short period during No Mow May – you’ll be allowing wildflowers to grow that will attract those important pollinators and play a small part in the vital process of helping the planet to recover.

Plants and pollinators that flourish during No Mow May

Some of the best plants for pollinators are unfortunately seen by many gardeners as weeds – but you should try to relax and allow them to have their time. These include:

• Buttercups
• Dandelions
• Daisies
• Clover
• Chickweed
• Forget-me-nots

And the pollinators you’re likely to see more of in your garden as a result include:

• Butterflies
• Bees
• Moths
• Hoverflies

How a messy garden helps nature

Beauty comes in many forms. Some people only appreciate that traditional ‘well-kept’ garden we mentioned at the start of this article. But a less ordered garden brings its own beauty – and not just as a result of the extra colour you’ll be adding to it.

It gives insects places to live, and those insects in turn attract the birds and small mammals that feed on them. Overgrown areas also provide shelter for animals such as hedgehogs, voles and even foxes.

All this biodiversity represents a well-balanced and healthy environment that allows all kinds of life to grow and thrive.

How Tithe Green Natural Burial supports No Mow May

Our whole philosophy revolves around encouraging an environment that boosts biodiversity, and we’re always pleased to support and participate in any campaign that has the same goals. Our woodlands and wildflower meadows are always managed in a way that aligns with the aims and goals of No Mow May.

Discover more about how Tithe Green Natural Burial supports biodiversity in these earlier articles:

How Tithe Green Natural Burial Supports Local Wildlife

The Flowers of Tithe Green Natural Burial

5 Reasons a Natural Burial Is Better for the Environment

If you’d like your passing to play a significant part in supporting a healthier environment, get in touch with the Tithe Green Natural Burial team today. We offer natural burials and ashes interments at our beautiful sites in Markfield in Leicestershire, Oxton in Nottinghamshire and Ketton in Rutland.