Gardeners 'banned' from mowing lawns until date in July after expert's warning

Daily Mirror

03-05-2025

Gardeners across the UK have been urged not to mow their lawns until a particular date in July at the earliest as bees, butterflies and other insects need long grass to survive and thrive
The warm start to May has had many a green-thumbed Brit tempting to take control of their untamed lawns, as there have been many good mowing days. However, experts are flipping the script and advising gardeners to resist trimming those grassy lawns until at least June.
Support for this unorthodox gardening tactic comes from none other than Sir David Attenborough himself, who has urged the nation to put off lawn mowing during the summer months - a plea that's won the backing of wildlife specialists. The reasoning behind this advice is quite compelling.
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Insects such as bees, butterflies, and even wasps rely on our untamed lawns - complete with daisies, weeds and wildflowers - as vital spots for breeding, pollinating, and overall ecosystem health maintenance during this critical seasonal phase.
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Mowing your lawn too soon could spell doom for these crucial creatures by disrupting their life cycles, which in turn poses a grave risk to an ecosystem that's already under significant threat, reports the Express.
It's a stark reminder: The demise of these insects would have catastrophic repercussions for all of us in the long term. Plantlife, a UK-based conservation charity, has stark figures to share: "We've lost approximately 97 per cent of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies."
However, there is hope in the humble lawn: "But your lawn can help. A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground.
"With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate."
Sir David Attenborough highlighted the importance of preserving traditional hay meadows in the UK during the BBC's Wild Isles nature documentary. He stated: "Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows. Sadly, in the last 60 years, we've lost 97% of this precious habitat."
However, he noted that adopting nature-friendly farming practices can help restore these meadows, providing a haven for wildlife.
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Sir David emphasized the significance of timing, suggesting that delaying mowing until mid-July allows birds and insects to complete their breeding cycles and flowers to set their seeds.
While Monty Don recommends June 21, Sir David advocates for mid-July, specifically July 15. The longer the delay, the better it is for the environment.
Last year, in support of this initiative, several groups and authorities across the UK pledged to participate in No Mow May 2024. Newport City Homes said at the time: "This year, Newport City Homes will be taking part in Plantlife's bee-friendly campaign, No Mow May.
"The campaign encourages individuals, social landlords and stakeholders to help bees, butterflies, and other wildlife by letting wildflowers grow on lawns and green spaces throughout May instead of mowing them."
NHS Grampian in Scotland also expressed their commitment, stating: "Let it grow, let it grow! We're taking part in No Mow May again this year, with many patches of our estate across NHS Grampian already left to grow wild.
"Not only does this allow all those essential pollinators to get to work and in turn support our food industry but it enriches the soil (and the 'beasties') underneath, and helps to clean the air."