No Mow May

Many wildflower rich meadows require at best just two cuts a year to maintain the diversity and suppress the more dominant plants . One cut in April and one in September. The best time not to cut is between May and late July. These areas need not look untidy, just allowed to flower and seed themselves. So a no mow time from May through to September would be ideal but may just be tad too long for some folk. The four weeks of May is better than none mind. 

One of our hay meadows.

Do I see yellow rattle, red clover, bistort and meadow buttercup in there Goldie? Which other species, some are not flowering yet? Good to see👍 

I think it’s more to do with a proper understanding of nature, like those held by our previous generations. It’s about allowing those existing pollen and nectar rich flowers the chance to grow, flower and set seed. This in turn hopefully enriches the landscapes biodiversity. Furthermore, some farmers/authorities/councils are now sowing wildflower seed mixtures across their properties to enrich the environment, particularly where over mowing has depleted and damaged that which was the natural diversity to such a degree that an almost monoculture of species of little value exists.
Some of course, for their own reasons, take a rather cynical view to any attempt to resolve the potentially dire situation we now face. A minimum four week mowing hiatus gives at least a fighting chance to those important flora species to propagate themselves and assist those crucial agriculture requirements of pollination. Of course we could do better, what solutions do you have, if any? Maybe we ought to lengthen the no mow period to better help the situation.

There's (among others)  yellow rattle, buttercup, red clover, plantain & mouse-ear chickweed.  Though, there’s over 100 different species in here.There's about 15 acres - to be made into hay in a couple of months.

Interesting article here about herbal leys and wildflower rich meadow seed mixes for farms and farmers who are willing and able to invest in all, including nature, our futures. Also both an educational and informative read for non farming folk, both urban and rural. 

https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/news/767/new-first-hand-case-study-with-dr-sarah-beynon-herbal-ley-bespoke-wildflower-legume-pollinator-mixtures

Looks like a good deal of research is going on.

Our authority doesn’t cut the majority of grass verges, but they are managed carefully so that a wide range of wildflowers and seed bearing grasses can flourish year after year. They usually look wonderful if weather conditions are right. Late in the season, “sight mowing” is done to keep road users safe, but the majority of growth is left to self seed, then scarifying and prep for the next year is done. No Mow, doesn’t mean no work, but the results are often spectacular, and benefit both humans and wildlife. 
Clumber Site had big areas of grass left long, un mown with lots of wildflowers in there, on our last visit. The grass strips aren’t suitable really to leave long, so it’s a good compromise. 

From an insect/bird/wildlife point of view, what is the common sense of setting a strict timetable around one month of growth, which is going to be subject to all sorts of variables, and then hammering that same patch with a mower🤷‍♀️ Some things shouldn’t be taken literally.

Beautiful Goldie👏👏 I am guessing it’s an old field, carefully managed? 

We used to love walking the footpaths along the edges of some of the beautiful meadow fields in Cornwall, full of colour and insects.

The other day we cycled through the outskirts of Deeside Industrial Park to get from one part of an off road cycle ride to another. Some of the land set aside hasn't been used or built on and the areas chain link fenced off. Other areas where large factories like a Toyota plant and Tata steelworks operated had roadside verges. There was even a new orchard that had been planted for nature to use. What struck us was the variety of flowers that could be seen on these verges and unused areas. It was obvious no concerted effort was made to spray as we saw a variety of insect life feasting on them.

On the unused land birds such as Skylarks had made their nests.

Nature will soon find those spaces that benefit them. They're not worried about "the visuals".

Well done Goldie and family.

You are so right TtDA  & WN, it shouldn’t be taken too literally and it , NMM, certainly doesn’t mean a total abstinence from management. One of the best things to have happened since its inception is the fact that people are now talking about it, discussing it and acting upon it.  I remember the bleak days of the 80s and 90s when, save for the enlightened few, much of our public owned spaces around us were mown and sprayed to within an inch of their lives. Thankfully people today are better informed and doing their bit to help. Today I visited the city of St David’s where a community programme has actively encouraged all residents to sow wild flower mixes within their properties. In fact every resident was give a packet of wild flower seeds and advice on sowing a few years back. Looking around the city and beyond there are wildflowers everywhere to be seen. A joy to behold.