What is No Mow May and How to Take Part

Looking to attract more bees, butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden this summer in 2023? Taking part in No Mow May is a great way to do just that! By simply avoiding mowing your lawn throughout May, you can provide an abundance of nectar for these important pollinators.

Research has shown that reducing the frequency of lawn mowing can provide enough nectar sugar for ten times the amount of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other pollinators. Recent statistics have shown that gardeners who took part reported up to 300 species of plants, including wildflowers, in their gardens!

So why not give No Mow May a try this year? By forgoing your lawn mower for just one month, you can help to boost the biodiversity of your garden and support our vital pollinators. Whether you plant wildflower seedballs or simply allow nature to take its course, there are plenty of ways to get involved and enjoy all of the benefits that this simple but impactful initiative has to offer.

No Mow May was set up by Plantlife. The campaign launched on 29th April this year. At the end of the month you can join the nationwide "Every Flower Counts" survey. 

How to take part in No Mow May

1) Leave your mower alone for the month of May and let the flowers and grass grow.

2) From 23rd May to 31st May choose a random square metre of lawn and count the number of flowers in it. Upload your results to Every Flower Counts.

3) You'll receive a "Nectar Score" which will show how much nectar is being produced by the flowers on your lawn and how many bees it can support. 

Not only will you be helping out local wildlife, but you'll also get to enjoy a beautiful wildflower meadow in your own backyard. Don't forget to share your results on social media using the hashtag #NoMowMay and encourage others to get involved. For more tips on how to make your garden more pollinator-friendly, check out our blog post on Why Bees are Important.