Let the grass grow for No Mow May

First launched in 2019 by the botanical charity Plantlife, the No Mow May campaign encourages people to lock up their lawnmowers and let nature flourish for the month of May. The aim of the campaign is to let the grass grow and wild flowers bloom, in doing so providing a ‘nectar feast’ for pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths, and beetles.

Throughout May, the District Council’s Grounds Maintenance team will carefully select areas around the district that will be left to grow in order to let nature take its course and provide wonderful biodiverse habitats for the district’s wealth of insects and wildlife. During this time the team will be focusing on other environmental activities.

The areas will include sections of:

• Boughton Open Field
• Bishops Drive Cemetery, Southwell
• Clay Lane, Newark
• Cleveland Square, Newark
• Collis Close, Newark
• Edgehill Drive, Newark
• Holy Rood Church Cemetery, Ossington
• Howes Court, Newark
• Marston Moor Road, Newark
• Newark Community Garden
• Newbury Road, Newark
• Orchard Close, Bleasby
• Retford Road Estate
• Rainworth Open Water Meadow Space
• Sconce and Devon Park, Newark
• Stanley Terrace Railway Walk, Newark
• St Marys Church Cemetery, Blidworth
• Thorpe Close, Coddington
• Thorpe Oaks, Coddington
• Vicar Water, Clipstone
• Winstanley Drive, Newark

The District Council is also working in partnership with Newark Town Council to leave sections of the following areas to grow:

• Barnby Road Play Area
• Fountain Gardens
• Friary Gardens
• John Pope Way
• Riverside Park

These specific areas have been chosen in order to ensure there are still areas that remain mown so that residents can safely continue activities such as dog walking and children playing in maintained green spaces. Areas such as road verges are the responsibility of Nottinghamshire County Council so are not included in the District Council’s plans for No Mow May.

Research from the campaign has previously shown that mowing your lawn less frequently can provide enough pollen and nectar for ten times the number of bees, butterflies and other pollinators and insects. The research also showed more than 200 species of plants, including rare meadow flowers, were found flowering within the grasses that were left to flourish.

Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “Enhancing biodiversity in our district is a vital part of our work to create a green Newark and Sherwood, and No Mow May is a fantastic opportunity to do just that!

“Each year this campaign helps local wildlife such as pollinating insects like bees and butterflies to thrive, and I’m looking forward to seeing our green spaces and country parks blooming with wildflowers.”

“I want to remind residents that this campaign is one that everyone can join, just leave your lawnmower in the shed for the month and help us do our bit for nature.”

The campaign encourages everyone to take part no matter the size of the garden, all efforts can collectively have a huge impact; a square meter of lawn left to flower can support three honeybees! If residents don’t have a grass area but wish to take part, they could pledge to leave another green space unmown, such as a green area at a place of work or a shared community garden.

Why not join the District Council in taking part, and let your garden grow for May!