No Mow May 2025: Let Your Lawn Grow Wild
Happy No Mow May!
What is no ‘No Mow May’?
Today marks the start of No Mow May, a simple yet powerful movement championed by the British conservation charity Plantlife. With compelling evidence showcasing the remarkable benefits, Plantlife encourage you to let your lawn grow wild and free throughout the month of May.
Why is it important?
Did you know that since the 1930s we’ve lost approximately 97% of our wildflower meadows in the UK! No Mow May is a small commitment with a big impact.
Participating in No Mow May is a remarkably easy way to contribute to a richer, more vibrant ecosystem right. By simply changing our mowing habits for a month, we can create a welcoming environment for a diverse array of plant and animal life, making a tangible difference for biodiversity.
The advantages of No Mow May extend beyond providing support biodiversity. Plantlife reports that the UK’s lawns undergo 30 million mowings annually if maintained on a weekly basis. This frequent upkeep translates to a consumption of 45 million liters of petrol, contributing to approximately 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. To put it into perspective, this emission output mirrors the combined carbon footprint of roughly 10,000 average households.
By allowing lawns or grassy areas to flourish with wildflowers, you’re not only providing support for wildlife but also helping to combat pollution and isolating carbon beneath the soil. Considering there are over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the tiniest grassy patches add up to a substantial proportion of our land. When managed properly, these areas can deliver incredible benefits to nature.
Here’s how you can help…
If you are responsible for managing any landscapes or gardens (your own or a client’s), avoid mowing throughout the month of May and consider dropping the frequency of mowing from thereafter to once a fortnight, or longer.
Ditch the harsh fertilisers and pesticides. Embrace natural alternatives to create a healthier ecosystem.
Support wildlife by installing bird feeders, bat boxes, and bee hotels to welcome a diverse range of creatures into your wildflower spaces.
Consider transitioning from traditional lawns to biodiverse, species-rich alternatives. Enjoy the same familiar features with the added benefits of lower maintenance and a significant boost to biodiversity.
Wildflower Scientist, Helen Simmen: “We’re huge supporters of No Mow May at Wildflower Turf Ltd. By embracing the growth and blossoming of wildflowers and other plants, we create vital habitats that support a diverse range of wildlife.”