No Mow May?

At Rooted in Hull we are committed to promoting sustainable living and in particular, eating.  There are several world renowned, easy to regurgitate slogans and initiatives that help us to spread the message far and wide through our actions and social media.

One such initiative is leaving the lawn mower in the shed for just one extra month after the great annual winter reset.  Known in some circles as “No Mow May” since my time working at Rooted, I have tried to practise a little of what we preach by letting my own garden live a little for the duration of this month.

I live in a very neighbourly street, a street where I grew up whilst I care for my elderly parents, the type of street where there has always been a sense of unspoken “keeping up with the Jones’s”

Since working at Rooted, our garden is used for growing food because I felt it was important to

Whilst making my changes, I was struck by the way in which society frowns upon anything that differs from the norm. My parents’ garden used to command the “best in the street” title, but how important is that I wonder? What are we actually achieving by leaving the mower in the shed for an extra month?

Allowing lawns to grow longer gives flowers like daisies, clover, and dandelions the chance to bloom. These plants provide nectar and pollen for insects emerging after winter, helping to boost biodiversity in urban and suburban areas. Research in the UK found that unmown lawns can produce significantly more nectar than regularly cut grass, creating valuable feeding habitats for pollinators.“ (National Geographic)

Neighbours politely ask me about my garden, we live at the top of the street and ours is the first one any visitors take notice of, because it’s wild.

I have definitely turned a corner with regard to what people think. I am much happier with my temporarily untidy garden because I believe that promoting the sustainability message is more important than aesthetics.

Who knows, perhaps this year’s discussions with my ultra-kempt bordered street-kin will encourage a far less kempt street next May and the bees will continue to create a buzz for as long as we need them.  In other words, forever!