#NoMow garden blooming with life

• Author: Anne Cleaver
• Published: 5th August 2021
• Categories: Blog, Business, Clanfield

#NoMow garden blooming with life

Wildflowers and tall grasses have bloomed in my back garden in support of #NoMowMay, #LetItBloomJune & #KneeHighJuly. Keeping the mower in the shed for 3 months, apart from cutting paths, has provided shelter and food for pollinators, insects, birds, small mammals and frogs.

It has been fascinating to watch such a small area of flowers and grasses attract so much wildlife. Every day there has been something new to observe; bees gathering pollen, frogs and voles in the undergrowth and birds searching for seeds or insects. There were caterpillars and ladybirds on a small nettle patch yesterday and I’ve found a couple of ants nests. No sign of hedgehogs though, but I keep hoping to find one and have left small piles of wood for shelter.

I have to admit to being a bit surprised to spot a (wild?) rabbit in the last few weeks. However, instead of just munching on wild grasses it has taken a liking to a newly planted rose bush! I’m hoping this is just a passing phase, but in the meantime, I’ve named him/her Rosebud.

Walking around the village I’ve noticed a number of gardens and verges that have been left to grow unchecked – there’s more every year. The ‘NoMow’ project doesn’t have to take over the whole garden – just leaving a few patches to grow up will make a difference. Don’t forget to leave the mower in the shed, next spring, and you will be doing your bit to help our native wildlife.

I wanted to give my thanks to Clanfield Gardening Club who have been a great help with advice and encouragement: https://www.facebook.com/clanfieldgardeningclub