No mow May

This year I finally persuaded MrFF to stop mowing one of the areas of grass that he optimistically calls lawn. We’ve never in 22 years had anything like a decent lawn, without using hundreds and gallons of water and having a decent irrigation system not one they only covers small patches it’s impossible.  It’s also unnecessary. 

This year when we returned after he’d dealt with the knee high grass he settled into his routine of regular mowing.  After he’d cut the smaller higher area it looked like this.

I don’t think there is a blade of lawn grass in there, lots of dead couch grass, lots of live couch grass and some weeds.  Over the years we’ve tried to resow with suitable lawn seed, fertilised and applied weed and feed, all to no avail.  This year I told him it looked terrible and asked him to stop, cue heated discussion.  I eventually persuaded him to leave the lower larger area, it’s full of clover, pink, white and yellow and various wild flowers, maybe a few dandelions and other annoying weeds but I can live with them.  

The bees and butterflies are loving what I now call the lower meadow, it’s a joy to stroll down there and see the variety of pollinators feeding.  Not mowing apparently also increases the habitat for spiders, beetles etc and allows for deeper root development increasing drought resistance. It’s also saving MrFF effort and resources, I am not sure he is convinced but me and the environment love it.  No mow May and June are likely, in July and August we won’t be here, result.