Gardeners are being encouraged to swap neat lawns for nature this spring, as a growing campaign urges households to put away their lawnmowers and let grass grow freely.
The initiative, known as “No Mow May”, is led by conservation charity Plantlife and is being supported by British Garden Centres. It calls on people to leave their lawns uncut throughout May to provide vital food sources for bees, butterflies and other pollinators at a crucial time of year.
Launched in 2019, the campaign has gained momentum in recent years, with studies suggesting that unmown lawns can contain up to ten times more flowering plants than regularly cut grass. This can transform gardens from what campaigners describe as “green deserts” into valuable habitats.
British Garden Centres, the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group, is backing the initiative through its “Make it Bloom” campaign, which promotes wildlife-friendly gardening practices.
For those unsure where to begin, the group has shared guidance on how to take part. Gardeners do not need to leave their entire lawn untouched, with even a small strip or corner making a difference.
Plants often considered weeds, such as dandelions and clover, are highlighted as key sources of nectar for pollinators in early spring. Leaving them to grow for the month can provide an important boost to insect populations.
Where lawns lack natural flowering plants, introducing native wildflowers such as oxeye daisy, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover can help increase biodiversity.
Garden edges, including strips along fences and walls, are also described as valuable habitats, offering shelter for wildlife including hedgehogs, ground beetles and solitary bees.
To maintain a tidy appearance, gardeners are advised to mow paths through longer grass, signalling that the approach is intentional while still allowing nature to thrive.
When June arrives, experts recommend cutting grass gradually rather than returning immediately to a short lawn, to avoid damaging plants and disturbing wildlife.
Lucy Hewitt, marketing campaigns manager at British Garden Centres, said: “Time and again, customers come to us wanting to do something good for wildlife but not knowing where to start. That’s exactly why we created Make it Bloom.
“No Mow May fits that perfectly, as it costs nothing, takes no effort, and within a couple of weeks you will see things visiting your garden you have never noticed before.”
For those looking to extend the benefits beyond May, suggestions include creating a small wildlife pond, building a log pile, or planting late-flowering perennials to support insects into autumn.
More information about the initiative can be found at https://www.britishgardencentres.com/make-it-bloom/
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