No Mow May - Is It REALLY Worth It?

[@Roy-gi5ul]

Absolute common sense. As i reach my 82nd year, I have come to appreciate the new wildness of my garden since my diminishing mobility has reduced with a seemingly sudden old age! My garden is now a nesting habitat for a range of wild birds and a joy to behold!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Roy, thank you SO much for this. Wise words, and I am so glad that you get to sit and reap the rewards of doing LESS work! Very best wishes to you, would love to see this garden of yours and chat about everything it now attracts.

[@hara3435]

And hedgehogs which needs a wild garden ❤

[@Karl-p6h]

19 minutes of absolute common sense that people should be listening to and adopting. Well done Joel 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, so much. I'd had enough yesterday, seeing more misinformation and bandwagon jumping on social media etc just sent me! I've been wanting to do this for a few years now but the thought of the onslaught and continued ignoring and avoiding the issue via some (!) just compelled me to do this. I'm beyond waiting for people to have joined-up thinking and advertise this fact to the larger audience they have. I'm very lucky that I work for myself and am not bound to an employer about what I am and what I am not allowed to say etc! Thanks for your support on this, I really do appreciate it. Best wishes, Joel

[@Karl-p6h]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton again it’s needed and you’ve taken the time and with your following hopefully the correct way gets spread to the wider audience now. Too many I fluebcers and others who just jump on things with no knowledge or as you say are doing what their employer wants 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@martintaylor4453]

Councils love it because it involves no outlay. They never ever pass the savings on to residents!

[@phedrob3735]

The other thing to consider is that grass left longer and thicker actually creates it's own microclimate and becomes almost self watering with morning dew and giving full shade thus preventing the soil drying out

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this! This video was rather ad-hoc and I tried to fit in as much info as I could. I saw something on social media at lunch and it compelled me to jump out of the digger, find a spot and let people know. I couldn't go another year without doing something! Thanks ever so much - Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

Regarding the micro climate This year i have added in plants which prefer damp meadows as an experiment yellow and purple loosestrife meadowsweet St Johns Wort etc it will be interesting to see how this fares this Summer !

[@willstokes123]

I remember a few years back when everyone's gardens went brown in the summer when there was no rain. My garden stayed green because I left the grass longer.

[@kingfisher3011]

@willstokes123 This is my second year for no mow summer ! Trust me even if it's just long grass the seed heads provide food for goldfinches and cover for small mammals and amphibians Its not always about flowers ! Having said that I have now counted 30 species in my tiny mini meadow lol The rewards far outweigh the stigma from the snooker table stripe brigades

[@davs3208]

I work for a local authority and we are looking to reduce use of herbicides and help pollinators and wildlife in general. No mow May is a toe dip into changing Victorian attitudes to gardening. I agree with it being a flawed concept. I have championed ideas from this channel and our great Biodiversity Officer to introduce them to the large areas of land we 'maintain'. I think when the wider public realise the beauty of the sight of wildlife occupying our spaces rather than aesthetic tidiness, they will appreciate what is out there on their doorstep. No mow May is a baby step in the right direction but it will be raising awareness to the general public that will change perception of 'unsightly' long grass into a haven for mutually beneficial wildlife.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Just fantastic to read this! I'm really grateful for you letting me know, but it goes back way longer than the victorians when it comes to neat lawns and no mowing etc. I am half way through a video on all that, I really should finish it! But this video was ad-hoc after reading another load of misinformation and ambiguity on social media and I thought "now or never" - I'm just so pleased with the response to this video, I really am. And I'm grateful for you letting me know about this. Keep fighting and give my BEST regards to the Bio Diversity Officer who sounds like the perfect person for the role! Would love to come and interview you both actually - not obligatory but I think it would help set an example even further. Best wishes to you both - Joel

[@royfinch8644]

It'd be great if Local Councils could liaise in some way on this! I spoke to our Climate Change Officer on signing up to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society regarding stickers for mowers/strimmers for operatives but I'm sure that nothing was done.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@royfinch8644 Keep fighting Roy, don't give up and keep pressurising them - I know what it feels like to be ignored, believe me. But when it comes to the wildlife and the damage that is done, I won't relent. Best wishes, Joel

[@RunningOnABall]

Glad I’ve seen this comment, I too am a councillor. People expect public spaces to be kept mown, yet it’s public spaces and Victorian planting that inspire some gardeners. Breaking the cycle is what’s needed , and we desperately need more environmentally minded people on our councils to make this transition normalised. Only 3% of people volunteer in this country. Being a the minority is exhausting. So please people, step up.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@RunningOnABall I wish you were MY councillor Julie! I am more than happy to help spread the word with councils and I do understand the feeling of being "alone" in this but the comments under this video already are so refreshing. So many people want to see more verges left, more greenspaces - I am not sure if you have watched the video I linked to at the end of this one, but this might give you even more reason to fight: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3XRcpqGbK58jMU Thanks for this, you've really helped improve my day already! Best wishes, Joel

[@lyndalambert9639]

I've always thought No mow May sounded good but was beset with dangers to wildlife. Good to hear someone like yourself promoting the idea of No mow Summer and other ideas which will help wildlife for those who cannot do this, me being one of them. 💚

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Lyn, you've always been there for me and supported me. I was just saying that I appreciate I am lucky enough to work for myself and therefore have no bosses or employers to toe the line with or have to watch what I say or who I upset. I'm beyond caring about the ignoring of my message and ostracising that comes with speaking out. But you know me, it's always about the wildlife and despite taglines and PR I do wonder if it's about money rather than the wildlife a lot of the time. Flashbacks to my run-in with the RHS etc! 🤣🤣

[@lyndalambert9639]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I think you are right to question some of the taglines . Sadly these days it seems as if funds to save our declining wildlife are so stretched , sometimes questionable decisions are made but with the Wildlife charities I feel they mostly get it right. Commercial organisations often fail badly in my humble opinion.

[@detvarsomfankanske]

What people don't seem to understand is that you don't have to let all of your lawn/garden grow into a meadow. You can mow paths or areas where you can walk around. Makes it feel a lot more tidy and welcoming too. (I wrote this before I heard you mention it in the video...)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this - time for larger organisations to point this out and give it the same voice as the usual tagline - thanks so much for this, appreciated - best wishes, Joel

[@bikeybikebike]

I tend to find the areas where I actually walk regularly on my grass don't need paths mowing, it stays short naturally.

[@stillwatersfarm8499]

I find I’m more interested in walking my land when there are paths instead of wide open spaces. In the US we have prairie land state and national parks that have mown trails through the prairies. They are lovely and you don’t have to get too close to potentially dangerous wildlife hiding in the tall grass.

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

Excellent ! Started doing that 4-5 years ago on an acre of back & side yards 20% 40 yr- old pine on the north side. My lawn paths were easy duty. Let the pine yard take care of itself and the rest of the yards was wonderful wild flowers blooming together or in turn as the season moved on. First time in my life lazyness really worked . . .

[@s.mernstsons8402]

I left my back lawn for three months last year.It was a joy to see all the butterflies and bees.however,after mowing I realised I have multiple ant nests and the foxes have dug deep dens. I'm not quite sure what to do now! I'm keeping long borders and I'm happy that my pond is full of newts..

[@formicapple2]

I mow my front garden but my back garden never gets mowed these days. The wildlife is absolutely amazing now. I have a wildlife pond which is a magnet for everything.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

One of the most vital habitats, for so much life. I'm so buoyed by all these wonderful comments, and so far no backlash! 🤣 Thanks ever so much for all your support and encouragement, particularly on this. Best wishes, Joel

[@Debbie-henri]

So glad to see this video. I retired my mower in 2003 and just let the grass do its thing. Every year since, Mum Nature has gifted me with a new wild flower - a range of Vetches, a Scabious, Bluebells galore - spreading out from nearby woods, and Wood Anemones have decided to come bavk in and give it another go. I do have Cowslips surviving in this 'No Mow Ever' area, only I planted them at the foot of south facing shrub. The shrubs appear to offer the grass just enough competition to keep them a bit tamer and that seems to be enough to let the Cowslips flourish. This year (so far) I've had a couple of birdlife surprises too. Saw a Red Kite hunting in the field part of my garden and, only yesterday, as I was clearing some of last year's dead Rosebay Willow Herb stems from the front garden - I very nearly put my hand on a nesting Pheasant. She was amazingly well camouflaged among the dead stalks, and it was only the blink of her beady black eye that startled me into realising she was there at all.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I love reading your messages Debbie, you always have proof that gardening with wildlife in mind is so very rewarding by sharing your experience, and the results that you get. It costs more, but when mowing my client meadows I have at least one member of staff walking in front with a long cane and disturbing the area, the noise of the machinery usually works but it's always best to be safe than to be sorry. Best wishes, Joel

[@jonathanlever9402]

Living proof that even clearing dead stems has an impact

[@bigmama2135]

Because of you Joel and your videos, I've just put a micro/mini wildlife pond in my small garden which now joins the barrel pond from last year. I've planted a wildflower patch and will now do a no mow except for strips to walk on until october. I'm championing wildlife and nature by liberating my tiny city garden from its former scalped lawns, strimmed edges, clipped hedges and barren habitat. Joel, you are making a difference! Thank you from this Dublin city dweller across the pond.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is messages like yours that keep me buoyed and keep me going, the channel is growing day by day and although it's taken a while I do appreciate that it's not a "regular" gardening programme etc and it's still rather niche, but I want people to have the right information to hand and the harder I work at relaying this message the more the wildlife actually benefits. Very best wishes, and I really appreciate the encouragement and support. Joel

[@SisterDogmata]

Hey Joel! One of your best videos to date! It's so easy not to mow your lawn and the benefits are huge. I mow round the edge of my front garden then do a shear cut at the end of October. So many moths, butterflies and insects last year, grasshoppers and three voles. The Robin is already picking insects out for it's young and in the Autumn the grass seed heads attract the finches. I don't think many of my neighbours approve but I don't much care. Hope you convince more people to adopt this as it's benefits are amazing. Best wishes.

[@Debbie-henri]

Perhaps calculate how much money you saved and how much CO2 your mower would otherwise have produced. Some people respond to financial benefits, some who think they are environmentally friendly (by only going so far as using the right recycling bin) might be interested in the way you lower your carbon footprint. Plus, there's nothing to stop you constantly adding new and pretty wild flowers to the lawn. I would suggest Scabious. Despite all the mucking about flower breeders do, none have managed to get quite that shade of blue with such a delicate flower. Cowslips and daisies around the edges. I know Hens and Chickens isn't native, but bees love it all the same and it would add a really eye-catching orange. Pink Champion is always a nice addition, and I rescued a white flowering Campion - much to the amusement of some burly roadworkers last year. White Campion is a very clean, brilliant white. The odd fern, of course. That wouldn't go amiss in a shady spot. Hart's Tongue ferns are quite exotic looking if you have a damp shady corner of the lawn. Bluebells and Snowdrops look great, but they will take over in the Spring months, So if you have a large front lawn area, it will take them years to colonise it. Hay Rattle is one Joel has recommended before now I believe. Wild Strawberries too. They are remarkably tough and creep about steep, sun soaked, uncut road verges where I live. In damp, partial shade, mossy shade, or areas that get boggy now and again, there's Carex species and Whortleberry (as some call it locally. But otherwise known as Bilberry, Blaeberry or European Blueberry. Remains small, edible blue berry). Welsh Poppy, or you could plump for the superior hybrid Meconopsis 'Frances Perry's (same insects visit it). A handful of Forget-Me-Not seeds. They'll come up where they can. And one of my neighbours has Chicory coming up through his grass. It always looks a lovely 'different' shade of blue. I have this little white Chrysanthemum like flower called White Ptarmigan, it's a naturalised garden escape, but looks lovely among long grasses. Bees really seem to like it a lot. Lungwort around the edges, in partial/dappled shade. Very pretty plant. Makes a good old solid clump after a few years. Alkanet grows down one of my local roads in one spot. Has a very distinct small but royal blue flower, tall enough to thrive among long grasses. Meadowsweet grows taller than grass, but smells lovely and fresh. Pignuts - if you can get the seeds. I have millions of the plants but I saw some seeds for sale on eBay a few times. Lovely feathery foliage, small umbrellas of tiny white flowers, the very specific food plant of the unusual black moth known as the Sweep or Chimney Sweeper. Bird's Foot Trefoil is a must and if you don't get problems with slugs and snails your way you could add Kidney Vetch, which will attract one of those little blue butterfly species (forget which one. Adonis Blue?) Water Betony. Avens. Shrubby Potentillas. Cuckoo Pint. Anyway, when you start getting a wealth of flowers among the grasses, people stop complaining about it, spying out the new flowers instead, because unlike a mown lawn, tended flowerbeds of spring/summer bedding plants, snipped privet hedges and shrubberies, meadows are constantly changing with successions of species. I think they must be one of the very few environments that do.

[@SisterDogmata]

@@Debbie-henri Great advice! I added some wild flowers last year so hoping they grow.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@SisterDogmata - finally reached your comment! So sorry for the delay, but there have been so many wonderful comments on this video and I'm slowly making my way through them. I really do appreciate this and your continued support and encouragement, I knew you'd be in there somewhere and I knew that you'd be doing this already and I'm so grateful for you sharing your experience and in turn encouraging others. Best wishes and hope you and yours are having a good weekend - Joel

[@SisterDogmata]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton No worries Joel, I'll always be watching, you don't have to reply! Hope a lot of people will make this basic change to their idea of a lawn, it will make so much difference. Have a great weekend.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@SisterDogmata You too, thanks so much, as always ☺

[@arnhaze6134]

I never cut last year, felt guilty cutting even at the end of the year. This year I will leave it and do the one cut in October. Thanks!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! So pleased to see everyone's comments and support under this video, I thought it'd be rather controversial and I'd be battling some people but every person here understands the importance of this message and I'm so glad that it is reaching so many people. I'm really grateful for the encouragement and support - have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@D-H-D]

Superb Joel. I get my notepad and pencil for every one of your videos! Recently cleared 2000m² of brambles and created a butterfly garden only to find it was previously ancient woodland and a sea of bluebells erupted! No cost to the client and yet we found a long lost treasure - so thank you 👍💪

[@dmnos6824]

The brambles were a habitat also and good for biodiversity, maybe your client still has some. I am a newbie to biodiversity so I can't preach.

[@D-H-D]

They are indeed but the property is vast and as highlighted in the video, we were looking to expand the already rich mosaic that exists 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Daniel! Sorry for the delay, just trying to get through everyone's wonderful comments. I know I've not managed to keep up with you but it sounds like you're doing fantastic stuff. If you get time then do send some photos but the email is now [e-mail]. It's been manic this side, absolutely manic but would love to catch up properly - I've certainly not forgotten you (you lucky person living in France!!) - best wishes, Joel

[@Sorrowful00]

@@dmnos6824 Brambles offer food and shelter for lots of different animal species, but if you don't keep them in check they will be the only plant you have left

[@myggggeneration]

@@D-H-D If brambles are blackberries, were you able to remove them without distrubing the soil? We have large patches of blackberrys on our property and I'd rather grow grasses and wild plants to let grow as they want to.

[@lisaroberts8135]

ThankYou for this video , I was going to do no mow May ! Now I’m going to do no mow summer with at least half of my lawn !

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This, this THIS! This makes taking that 30 mins out of work worth every moment. So pleased to read this - thank you Lisa

[@lisaroberts8135]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton My barrel pond is starting to go green with an algae, what do I do to fix it please?

[@louisegogel7973]

@@lisaroberts8135There is a company that helps waterbodies regain their vitality. CLEAN-FLO. They use aerators and the natural bacteria of a healthy water system. They’ve helped pig farmers get the smells from the manure gone,,, the bacteria just go wild with that and in a few days the smell are gone, happier neighbors, happier marriages.

[@louisegogel7973]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshtonI’m also going to mow less area and have less work, but I can’t fully not mow, or I’d have a total tangle around the pond in which I swim. I do mow paths especially along the border of the woods and pond… bittersweet, which strangles whatever it grows on, takes over if I don’t keep a sharp look out and pull them when they’re small. I have a ton of wildlife in my Vermont, USA yard and so many different plants and flowers just from mowing so little.

[@Aengus42]

French road verges are a riot of wildflowers! They're absolutely stunning!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely they are! One of the first things I noticed about France, that and the brilliant wildlife bridges that they have over the motorways, fencing so wildlife don't venture onto the major roads too... just way ahead of us - best wishes, Joel

[@Aengus42]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Vive l'entente cordiale! 🇬🇧🤝🇫🇷 ☮️😃

[@amandarobinson352]

I have thought this every year and stopped doing it because there were so many beetles in the grass and other insects getting squashed by the lawn mower. So seems pointless. Well done for promoting this.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Amanda, I really appreciate this. I've had wonderful support, despite raising this for a few years now. It seemed to fall on deaf-ears and I and others ended up being ignored - so after reading even more misinformation on social media last week it compelled me to do this video. I appreciate I'm lucky enough to be self-employed and have no bosses or management to seek permission from before sticking my head above the parapet, but when it comes to the wildlife I won't relent. Very best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@helenporter7584]

26 orchids grow on my front lawn after starting cuts later and then cutting around them. Also have a number of areas I mow in September and number of insects has been commented on.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is so good to read Helen, thank you - so many wonderful comments here, it's made the lunch-break video SO worth it already! Very best wishes, and have a good weekend - Joel

[@ThePkb22]

Totally agree. My garden never gets mowed. Parts of it get a light hand trim in the autumn and other parts get a light hand trim in the early spring and that's it. I had a right moan at my local council who mowed down a vast field close to my house in the first week of August 2021. A year later they left it and i discovered a wasp species new to the UK that would never have been present had they repeated the cut back. A year after that, we had Wasp spiders recorded in the field for the first time. Our obsession with neatness is SO harmful to our wildlife.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow! Thanks so much for this, sorry for the delay in acknowledging you but so many wonderful comments here and I don't want anyone feeling I ignored them! So good to read about this and what a fantastic result. I really appreciate the support and encouragement and am so grateful to people like you that stand up for the wildlife and get results! Well done, and have a great weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@stevemcgarrett24]

I’ve been doing this for a few years now Joel. My back garden is solely for wildlife and that in turn brings me great pleasure. Since I left the garden to Mother Nature, I have seen an increase in biodiversity, both flora and fauna. I even have wild orchids for the first time but also beautiful pendulous sedges and ferns plus numerous medicinal plants. The increase in butterflies and bees is breathtaking but also beetles and grasshoppers. Foxes come to lay in the tall vegetation along with the occasional deer. That to me is what a garden should be, not a neat and sterile space.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic to read this Steve, thank you so much. A great advert for thinking of the wildlife when gardening and of course a great testimony for all the rewards it brings. I hope a lot of people get to read your comment, best wishes - Joel

[@stevemcgarrett24]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks Joel but I’m only confirming what your fabulous video says, so thanks for sharing. All the very best, Steve

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@stevemcgarrett24 Experiences and evidence like yours is so very important and really does help the message Steve, thank you so much

[@andyman286]

Yep, completely agree, I leave most of my garden all summer and have bird feeders. I leave a grassy patch alone all year bar one cut and have a wild flower patch. I love how much wildlife we get now.

[@gillb9222]

Ive left my grass and I love the shape and the movement of the longer grass, it looks so lush and green. I love more natural spaces but my neighbours hate me

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Haters gonna hate.... ;) But I'm glad you're above that and don't go with the flow - do see the follow-up video that I did after this one and you'll know exactly why your neighbours feel this way and can't see outside the boxes they've been conditioned to stay in. Best wishes, Joel

[@2frogland]

i mow mine regularly and will keep doing so including winter if it starts to grow , the clover flowers feed thousands of bees miner and bumble, i have plenty of other habitat in the borders beds and hedges

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - this is exactly what I have been trying to explain, shorter areas can be just as good as longer areas, and as you are already doing, it's way better than creating temporary habitats :) Best wishes, Joel

[@deanablythe9394]

A great video explanation about No Mow May which has become a buzzphrase here in England, thank you.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Deanna, so much - I'm so thrilled that this video is reaching so many people, really grateful for the support - best wishes, Joel

[@ChopsyMiche]

I loved this💚 Thank you so much Joel for speaking out about this, and spreading wonderful words. Huge respect to you for doing this. I've also thought myself that no mow for May is actually really destructive to the wildlife. I am completely behind you with everything you said. May the summer be full of beautiful spaces filled with wildlife, and may the hedgerows be a most wonderful work of art, filled with wild flowers of the most stunning colors, all hugging and gently nodding in a breeze, while offering up their goodness to the passing pollinators. Thank you for spreading the magic, beautifully put🌻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

... and I love that you loved it! I really appreciate all the support and kind words, the encouragement you've shown me. And there you go again, putting everything so wonderfully - thanks Miche, so much!

[@ChopsyMiche]

@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I am just delighted you put this out there. This is precious information and will make a difference. You truly are a good soul. Your family must be very proud of you🥰

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Totally agree! I hope people take this onboard. I’m lucky to have land here in west of Ireland. I have tried to make a MOSAIC, short grass, no mow summer, untouched areas and ponds. It’s always full of insects, little creatures and birds. Your videos inspired me in the beginning so thank you Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Sounds perfect - thanks so much for your encouragement and support and letting me know the time these videos take isn't wasted :) I really appreciate it - best wishes, Joel

[@judithhope8970]

I was very concerned about this when we did a no mow May several years ago. We only left a swathe of grass to get long but cut around it and left it till late September. We nibbled at it with the shears when It was time cut cut it down. It wasn't a massive space so this wasn't too arduous, and we gradually removed the long grass. The lawn recovered completely and last year we didn't do the swathe. I think we will this year. I haven't mentioned it to my husband yet....but I will. Our hedgehogs were in and out of it all the time and the birds enjoyed the long grass too.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So good to read this Judith, sorry it's taken a while to catch up but so many wonderful comments here, including yours and I'm really grateful for you sharing your experience and the encouragement and support. Very best wishes, as always - Joel

[@lotus.b.lazuli2020]

Exactly. I agree. The most important point is the fact it's actually quite an immoral thing to do; to invite a microcosm of life to thrive so temporarily, and cutting it down in its prime. It speaks volumes though, doesn't it? Our society instils that notion of disposability. When something is disposable, you don't tend to hold it in very high regard. It's just unfortunate we apply that to the natural world!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Beautifully put Lotus, but to be honest I expected to less of you :) Thanks so much for your support. Best wishes, Joel

[@downtheallotment]

In Bath Somerset the council leave grass areas uncut and put a sign up pretty much saying what you have. But we all know it’s to save money. Still everyone is a winner

[@Debbie-henri]

And councils should be saving money in this way. If I haven't mowed the grass in my garden for 21 years for the sake of the wildlife - why am I paying my local council £500 extra this year to help them mow miles of verge that won't impede the view for traffic and countless areas of lawn around the county's towns?

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I have a side yard which I can't reach with the mower. I thought it would benefit wildlife. My new neighbor didn't like the way it looked and started mowing it. She progressed to trying to kill my bushes. I had to build a fence to get her to leave my property alone. Unfortunately she also sprays against mosquitoes.

[@thelittlethingsinlife239]

Excellent points raised Joel. We keep the borders of our garden wild for this reason. It really isn't difficult and like yourself I wish more people would get on board. Thanks for highlighting this mate 🙂👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks for your support - it means a lot. I'm so pleased with the reaction this video has had. It's been a long time coming but I certainly felt it necessary, and to shout louder on the best social media platform out there. Very best wishes, Joel

[@ronroelevink7097]

I love how you make this easy to grasp. And I also very much like that you adress people working for the council etc. A lot is already done but in some places they keeping doing their weekly or twice-mowing , most of the time resulting in messy lawns ( you can't expect them to go around with a broom afterwords) and must be quite boring for the person who does it. By not or less mowing , workhours can be safed or at least spent elsewhere. I know places where parks, that are really supposed to be big gardens, are negelected. Maybe they can put more time and love in them instead.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Agreed! It seems it's not just the UK of course, and you make some good points, as usual. Thank you for all the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@tomjordan4833]

I like this advice. Have been struggling a bit with no mow may as it’s such long thick grass to deal with in June. So was planning this year to cut the bits i want to be lawn from the start, but leave other areas wild. So pleased this will be easier for me and better for wildlife as well.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Tom, I really appreciate this - sorry it's taken me a little while to be able to acknowledge you, but I am so buoyed by comments like yours and the support and encouragement from everyone. Very best wishes, Joel

[@louisegogel7973]

Thanks for this! A lot of my edible greens are in my yard… dandelion, plantain, cleavers, nettles, strawberries, thyme, etc I mow paths around the flowers and alternate leaving the paths to grow long, so the yard is half meadow all the time, esp areas where I can leave the grass etc all summer. We don’t have hedgehogs in Vermont. I do mow high though, and have a ton of beautiful light shows in summer evenings… lightening bugs!.

[@Yadayadayada95]

I can’t wait until I have a garden. My balcony now is full of flower pots and some small trees, but I’d love a garden just full with wildflowers and a pond. You’re definitely inspiring.

[@cawstongreenway]

I've been saying this for ages. Thanks Joel for putting a bit of science/common sense behind it 😀

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I know the feeling! I wish there wasn't so much "fad" PR, people getting on bandwagons etc and giving out such ambiguous information to people. For the last 20 years I've watched the gardening for wildlife angle grow and grow, and in the last couple of years it really has escalated - which of course is a good thing, if people are given the right information. The amount of "nature garden" advice I've read makes my toes curl! 20 years ago it was a struggle to get clients to put up a bird box or two, so I've watched it all slowly gather pace and again it's a good thing but after seeing more misinformation on social media during lunch yesterday I felt compelled to do this. I know my viewers here are here because they care, genuinely, about making sanctuaries for nature - but it's the wider audience that need the right information and I just can't reach everyone. Best wishes, Joel

[@lshwadchuck5643]

You make a great case for tall grasses. Last year I stopped mowing in June, so I got a lot of flowers but not tall grass. I only heard of no mow May this year. I'm 72 and happy to just cut around my few perennial food beds and a path to the compost.

[@haroldspanier9185]

A garden for wildlife. Thank you for posting. Enjoyed

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Harold, I appreciate the support - best wishes, Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Kevin, so sorry for the delay in acknowledging this, a vast amount of comments to get through on this video but I am so buoyed by the responses and support. I really appreciate this - very best wishes, Joel

[@gedscouserable]

I was doing 'No Mow May' without knowing it was a movement. I cant afford to replace my lawnmower until June!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Get one in the sales at the end of September, a win for you and a win for the wildlife... :)

[@folkingadams]

Well said. Same , I’ve worked in meadows and in gardens for many years and I have found my self coming to same view. In my own garden I have wildflower all over the place, then cut in autumn , some I leave to overwinter too .

[@Jimmyandtony]

Another great video! I am growing one section of my yard space as a nectar lawn and another as a no mow summer section. I always look forward to new videos! Keep up the great work!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Jimmy, I really appreciate this

[@sjdyt]

I have a nice out of sight piece of lawn which is now dedicated to no mow summer. It was going to be no mow May but I didn’t cut it for exactly the reasons you’ve explained. During and by the end of the season it was teaming with bugs. Not many wild flowers though so maybe I’ll get some in there for next season.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So good to read this - you can certainly add some species either now or later in the year - but please, for your wallet's sake, don't throw down seeds. It rarely works. Nearer the time, do feel free to drop me a line at [e-mail] and I'll happily explain the best method and why. Best wishes, and thanks for the support - Joel

[@aceofspad3s1911]

Love your content! As a public educator I struggled with not using 'you guys' for a while. I say 'you folks' these days and people really appreciate it. I also say y'all, but that's very American even for me

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, so much. I need to get out of this "habit" I guess and as I don't ever have time for scripts with videos due to time, like this one during a quick lunch break, it does mean I end up repeating myself sometimes - but my heart's in the right place! :) Best wishes, Joel

[@pansepot1490]

Looks like in British English it hasn’t spread yet but in America “guys” (plural) is used to refer to the members of a group *regardless of sex.* It’s common usage that you can notice in American movies and tv shows and it’s also described in the M. Webster dictionary.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@pansepot1490 Thank you - having visited America a lot in the past, I'm blaming you "guys"! 🤣 That was good to read though

[@aceofspad3s1911]

​@@pansepot1490 Regardless of its intention or usage 'guys' is still gendered language. Being thoughtful about how your language impacts your audience is really not a big deal.

[@fredflea4038]

I accidentally stumbled upon your video, but I had realized this myself already. That’s why I don’t do ‘no mow may’ anymore, but I choose some large ‘islands’ in my lawn to leave from begin of april to around half september. Then, the first time I cut it of with a scythe. This way, organisms still in it, aren’t killed, but can move to another area. Greetings from Belgium.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is so good to read Fred, thank you so much. It sounds like you're doing a great job and you are no doubt rewarded for your thought about this, with many grateful creatures - best wishes, Joel

[@clupus63]

Yes! Thank you. I would also mention many areas may have ground-nesting bird species that may be sitting on nests in tall grasses by the end of May.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this! A good point, I'd seen more ambiguous information on social media at lunchtime and jumped out of the digger to record this video, in desperation! Although No Mow May was created and aimed at gardeners who wouldn't necessarily have ground nesting birds in a more urban setting, your message is still important for owners of larger land areas, for sure. I'm really grateful, thanks so much for the support - Joel

[@DeborahPinder-f5t]

Finally! the whole no mow concept explained, thanks for this Joel, I always did have doubts about cutting down the May habitat in its prime. Please never give up spreading your most important message, you are both eco warrior and Mother Earth ambassador 🥰

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Deborah, so much - I really appreciate this. I've been shouting for over 3 years now, but the other day during lunch I saw even more ambiguity and misinformation, and it pushed me to use this platform to shout louder. I have been so buoyed and encouraged by everyone's response to this video and I'm very grateful for all the support. Thanks for taking the time out to let me know that this helped - have a great weekend. Best wishes, Joel

[@DeborahPinder-f5t]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton you are very welcome Joel 🥰

[@Thewildmanwoods]

So good to hear this …I’ve been saying the same for many years….best to have long areas with a few paths …cut carefully so not to damage anything 🍀🎋🌿

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! Sorry for the delay in acknowledging you, so many wonderful comments on here like yours and I really appreciate the support. There have been too many deaf ears in the last few years, seeing more misinformation and ambiguity on social media during a lunch break compelled me to film this ad-hoc video there and then. I'm so grateful for everyone's encouragement, I really am. Have a great weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@LeaveCurious]

Really well put Joel. I find myself consistently wound up about the tidyness of Britains gardens & green spaces.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - it's not just the tidiness obsession here, it's more about creating temporary habitats that creatures move into, to only then lose their home (and often their lives) when the mowers are dragged out 4, 6 or 8 weeks later etc. I'm not backing down when it comes to our wildlife, but you probably know that already :) Have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@emilysmith2784]

I have noticed our garden gets flooded with insects and bugs more each year and I finally put two and two together when looking out my bedroom window. Practically all of my neighbours have paved over their gardens or put in fake grass. In our street of 12 houses only 3 of us haven’t block paved our driveways. I feel for all the wildlife. They have no where to go. I’d love to make our garden a safe haven for them all. I think we will try half and half, mow half and just leave the rest until September. Thank you for the video.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Emily, thanks for sticking to your guns and not falling in with the neighbours. A lot of houses do need driveways, including my own due to restriction of parking on the public highway, but a front garden is still a perfect spot for wildlife. Someone on the comments recently pointed out that what is the actual point of a square patch of mown lawn anyway, you don't see people sitting out in their front gardens or playing games etc on them! Forgive me if you've seen it already but here's how I changed my front garden last year, still a fair amount of hard-standing BUT it has every aspect of a wildlife garden in a small space and it might help inspire you and continue your bravery with any neighbours! ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4WbpGWPfradha8 Best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@thaojuli]

I don't know why people there do mow in may, but from your video I understand why we shouldn't mow in summer. You are a hero in wildlife 😊, I think many people there appreciate what you do. And I hope many people don't mow in summer 🪴🪴🪴🐛🐛🐛🦋🦋🦋🐝🐝🐝🐞🐞🐞🪻🪻🪻🍀🍀🍀

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Thao, I really appreciate this and your care and concern from so far away. As you know, I just felt I needed to do something now with the information, I couldn't let it go another year, even if it makes me some enemies! I do this for the wildlife, and no other reason at all. Very best wishes, Joel

[@thaojuli]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton all people now have to give our arm for the wildlife before too late. We can see Nature Mom is getting angry about what people did in the past years, special in Vietnam... ☹️

[@janehilbery6596]

No need to has ever mentioned what happens to the wildlife after no mow May, makes so much sense to have a no mow summer. Thank you

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're welcome Jane, I really appreciate the support - the comments for this video have been so good to see - have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@janestringer7225]

Another very informative and passionate video, Thank you Joel! Love your channel as I have learnt so much.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Jane! I am just getting my head around all these wonderful comments under this video, it really means a lot that there's already so much support out there for this, and I'm very grateful. Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel

[@leewatson6959]

It never made much sense to me but I thought well least its something. I personally opted to leave a boarder around the garden and I've not cut it since. 2 years now.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic to read this Lee, just reading through all the brilliant comments like yours and I'm so grateful to everyone. Thanks for the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@roxammon5858]

Joel. Love the vid. It is important to mention that there is extra benefit to having the longer grass in full sunlight. People may leave the long grass in areas that are shaded, which may only benefit some species. As you know butterflies prefer a warm sunny spot to lay their eggs and i'm sure this is true of other species too.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this - it was so difficult to get everything into this video, I never have a script or practice for any of the videos I do - and it sometimes shows! - but this really was filmed after seeing another raft of misinformation on social media and I felt compelled to film it there and then. I'm so glad it's been received so well by so many. I've been trying this for years, I've been shouting louder over the last three years but continue to be ignored by those that have a much louder and further reach than me. Thanks for the encouragement and support, best wishes - Joel

[@lorifalk5517]

Greetings from USA. Very sensible video Joel! I used to cut my mini meadow once a year in the spring. However, the past year I decided not to cut it at all. Some new flowers popped up-"Spring beauty" (a spring ephemeral) which would never have been given half a chance if we had mowed. Rabbits, ground hogs, birds, moths, butterflies and probably hundreds of insects are happily moving in and feeding there. So no more mowing. Ever!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Lori! Thank you so much for this, it's great to know this message is reaching the USA too, and even better that you're able to share your experience and the rewards for doing LESS work. I fully appreciate that this can't work for everyone in a garden setting, but the most important message is about #mowsaics and not creating a temporary habitat that brings in all the creatures you mention, for them to be then expelled or worse killed when the grass is mown shortly after. I really appreciate it, best wishes - Joel

[@peaseblossom4252]

Thank you so much! This video is perfectly timed. I have more bandwidth this year and wish to start turning our front and back yards into a more wildlife friendly space, but haven’t really known what to tackle first, especially when we would be the only house on our street doing it, and I’d need to convince my husband too. I like the look of the mowed edges/pathways and leaving the rest long, so I’ll hopefully get my husband on board with that (his riding mower broke so we luckily haven’t mowed yet this year and have a beautiful crop of dandelions growing, I’m sure to our neighbors’ dismay who I see spraying their lawns all the time). Now I’m just trying to figure out how to put in bird feeders & possibly birdbaths that are out of reach of all the neighborhood cats (front yard) or my sighthounds (backyard), but still easy for me to fill and maintain. I’d love to be able to attract more birds, but definitely not lure them into danger. Thank you for all you do!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello there! So good to read this, I am so glad that this video is of help and so grateful for all the support and encouragement everyone has shown in the comments here. Hope you're having a good weekend - best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@auntyjo1792]

We keep a couple of small areas of (irregularly!) mown grass with plenty of daisies, clover and self-heal. These patches also feed blackbirds and starlings. Then there's a wild bit round a pond: maybe we should add wild grasses there?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I can certainly recommend the best ones for you and the situation, more than happy for you to send me a few photos of the existing pond and area so that I can advise - feel free to drop me a line at [e-mail] - best wishes, Joel

[@BarriosGroupie]

#mowsaic is a great idea. I have strips that I don't mow at all which has worked out OK that changes with the season. The crucial bit is creating a mow path around it to give the impression it's intentional and to ruffle the grass when it flops down. The advantage with the council keeping on top of mowing is that they have less grass to depose of, compared to if they allowed it to grow unchecked.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey! Just working my way through all these wonderful comments, sorry for the delay in acknowledging you. But it's so good to read that you're already cutting the mown paths and sticking to them. I think with councils they could certainly find some use for those grass cuttings, compost etc but it's the incessant use of these large mowers and the energy (and money!) used by going round every few weeks rather than just once. I absolutely appreciate that it's not practical in all situations and areas, and that sight-lines along certain roads need to be kept for safety - but there's so much that is mown unnecessarily and the money could be spent elsewhere :) Have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@dmnos6824]

My number 1 question: what to do with the grass in September? Can you add it to a compost heap in your garden? Or will adding it to your compost heap end up enriching your whole garden eventually because the nutrients will leak out and spread or will they stay localised within a few feet of your compost heap. A rich soil can't grow wildflowers/grasses, the aim is to have poor soil.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - sorry for the delay in being able to respond but there's been so many wonderful comments and queries on this video and I'm trying to get through them so no one is ignored :) Absolutely add it to a compost heap in your garden - so many creatures will be grateful for this habitat. Slow-worms, hedgehogs, grass snakes, toads, beetles to name a few. Not just for hibernation but they'll also hunt through this habitat for smaller invertebrates etc. It will break down where it is. It's misunderstood though that rich soil can't grow wildflowers though, they do fine in this medium, however this rich soil also allows the more thuggish species to thrive :) I hope this is helpful and that you're having a good weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@dmnos6824]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Hi Joel, thanks for taking the time to answer my question and it is a great relief to know that rich soil won't stop some wildflowers appearring, many thanks. 🙂

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@dmnos6824 You're very welcome, it's important people have the right information, there are so many brilliant people out there wanting to do their bit for creatures desperately in need of our help and I'm determined that the information be there. Have a good weekend - Joel

[@wolfsam393]

If you rely on your compost heaps for vegetable growing, I strongly recommend not adding long grass to your compost heap. It will significantly disrupt the composting process as the long grass fibres resist decomposition and you can end up with relatively cold composting that is not usable within the normal compost timeframe of around 12 months. I still haven't found a solution for the mountain of scythed grass our meadow generates every year but currently we have dedicated grass piles which are added to for 5 years and take around 10 years to produce decent compost. This is one of those issues around meadows which is rarely discussed.

[@dmnos6824]

@@wolfsam393 Hi Thanks for your reply, it is great to get knowledge from someone who is making a wildflower meadow. No, I am not growing any vegetables. How is your wildflower meadow progressing after 5 years? What wildflowers do you have? Thanks in advance.

[@lindseyravenemrich9279]

This is so wonderful, to hear this from a trusted professional is so valuable. it’s so hard navigating what to do for the best in our garden spaces and this has given me such food advise. I really do appreciate all you do, please keep it up. ❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Lindsey, I really REALLY appreciate this. Comments like yours keep me buoyed and determined. I think it might be clear already that only the wildlife is my "boss" (along with some brilliant clients of course!) and I'm not going to stop ensuring that our creatures' voices get louder and louder. With so many brilliant willing people out there like you we really can make such a huge difference, and I'm grateful - best wishes, Joel

[@speak4003]

Less work, expense and better for wildlife; what's not to like! Your advice with my own wildlife pond has been invaluable and I can't thank you enough for keeping me going to make it right. My little patch which I've been keeping 'tidy' won't see a mower other than a pathway or two.

[@BowserLucaTheThird]

You can mow paths and leave patches to share your lawn, I think thats the best method, it also looks great and means you can enjoy the space your making

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this - a #mowsaic of habitat is the best way.

[@BowserLucaTheThird]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton "mowsaic" that's great 🤣

[@orpheuscreativeco9236]

I did this last year and it was awesome 👍 I mowed a total of 3 times all 2023. The local fauna were definitely appreciative. We attracted swathes of dragonflies who ate all the mosquitoes 🙌✨ The local ordinances for renters frown upon this practice though 😕 One last thing, our property was MUCH cooler in the summer months and into the evening due to evaporative cooling (I assume). 👍

[@the_gardenerben]

Thank you for covering this topic. I’ve been saying the same on all of my social media channels for the last two years but really feel that I’ve been screaming into the wind with it. People are far better leaving a small part of their garden to be wild all year round or simply not doing this at all I don’t understand why you would ask wildlife to gravitate towards the space for allotted amount of time and then snatch it back, because we roll into a different month, my followers that they allocate around 10% of their growing space to be simply left alone

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I empathise! 4 years we've been trying to raise this via many avenues, the #nomowsummer hashtag has been going for at least that long. But more misinformation and ambiguity on social media, which I'd happened upon at the beginning of my lunch break, compelled me to do this rather ad-hoc video. I'm pleasantly surprised that this video is reaching so many people now and hope it continues to do so. I really appreciate the encouragement and support Ben - best wishes, Joel

[@jrgc316]

Thanks for another informative video Joel. You mention encouraging councils to allow verges and public spaces to be unmown but maybe even more important is to get them to stop spraying toxic herbicides along pavements and roadsides. These can have adverse effects on local residents and wildlife while the chemicals often get into the drains and spread further afield. Here in Wales this is done by many local councils who are unaware of the negative impact their actions have.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Agreed! This maybe needs another video on this specific topic, I'm actually still quite shocked at the amount of this herbicide that is used by councils - more money unnecessarily spent and instead of spending money because some people just can't go about their day when seeing wildflowers near a pavement etc, they could be better spending the funds on educating people and changing mindsets. If you didn't catch it at the end of this video, this one about the wildlife friendly city in France, really is good for understanding that it CAN be done! kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3XRcpqGbK58jMU Thank you for raising this, appreciated. Best wishes - Joel

[@jrgc316]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks for the link Joel and it is very interesting to see how the municipal authority in France avoids spraying and how beneficial this is. I will see if I can share this video with the appropriate official in the county council here in Pembrokeshire!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@jrgc316 Best of luck - if you need any "help" just give me a shout - [e-mail] ☺

[@Natureneedsus]

Yes! This is my first year of no mow summer, I don’t even take out the “weeds” I also didn’t like a too large a grass area so I built 4 ponds and attached them all with the surroundings, wildflower meadows etc. I will share this to my public Facebook group, I am trying to gently educate folk from there and practice what I preach at the same time haha thanks Joel. August is as important as June

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Sounds like heaven to me! I do hope this video gets shared to as many wildlife gardeners as possible and those about to embark on the No Mow May - I really appreciate your help and willingness to share this. Thanks so much - Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I just found you on facebook and joined! What a fantastic group you have - great work!

[@Natureneedsus]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton happy days thank you 🙏🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@Natureneedsus Thank YOU! 🥰

[@helenhawkins4054]

Makes complete sense, well said.👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Helen, hope you're having a great weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@janebailey9228]

Completely agree. I've always worried about the ground nesting birds after May. My other bugbear is cutting large trees down in the nesting season. Only not permitted if you are knowingly disturbing a nest. No one is going to admit to that.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Jane, thank you for this. Although this No Mow May tagline was originally aimed at gardeners, it has reached further and I know councils etc are being encouraged to be involved and therefore that does include ground nesting birds in some areas of course. In a garden setting, as I relay in the video, it's about not creating a temporary habitat for a few weeks and then cutting down/strimming the grass and along with it the creatures that have unwittingly made it "home". I completely agree re the amount of trees still felled with the full knowledge (particularly with developers) that a fine will ensue - but they often factor in these fines as part of the costs, so take that risk. That's a whole new video, but I have touched on this in previous videos and particularly with the Forestry Commission doing the very same in nesting season. But again, I'm really grateful for you leaving this message, and the encouragement and support in these comments just shows that this needed raising and shouting about more. Best wishes, Joel

[@melissadallisonx]

This video, and many more of your videos, has motivated me to leave a patch of our lawn for a no mow summer! I have a newish build garden but I have planted trees, built a barrel pond, left ‘weeds’ to grow and now can’t wait to see what visits the patch I’ve left. I definitely have a resident toad so I hope he enjoys it 🙂

[@Stura_tv]

I mowed a line between my flower bed and my grass and posted it on my local wildlife group only to have someone say I created a wildlife waste land, but based on your video im quite happy with what Im doing, welcome #nomosummer

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

There's always one! Or... in the case of YT comments, there are always several! ha! You should be happy, the only thing that is a wildlife wasteland is when temporary habitats are grown and then cut down several weeks later, or astro-turf... you know what I mean though. A #Mowsaic is the best way to help the most wildlife, believe me. Well done you on persevering though, you will be rewarded I promise - best wishes, Joel

[@callyboo]

Thank you for explaining in such detail as so many get it wrong. Also don’t worry about Guys or Gals terminology as most wordy people know that the etymology comes from Guido Faukes (unknown; neutral). Learned that from Countdown (Susie Dent)!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That made me laugh! A LOT! Brilliant, and appreciated. So glad that this video is proving so helpful to people, 20 minutes to explain and no media engagement needed either! ha - thank you so much, best wishes - Joel

[@xxyes8879]

Yeah, cant believe the word police got to this video too, but we need to learn to just ignore people who make comments like that. They are idiots.

[@markosullivan6444]

Brilliant information, Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Mark, so many wonderful comments on here and it's taking me a while to catch up, but I'm really grateful for the encouragement and support - hope you're having a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@colzboppo]

Decided to leave a large patch of clover growing in the lawn and just mow around it, soon became a habitat for crickets and insects, and of course a hedgehog turned up at some point to enjoy the easy lunch on offer. The grass flourished in this patch but remained tired and sun-bleached in the areas that I kept up the monthly mowing schedule. In regards to no-mow-May; I have received complaints before from neighbours about not mowing front lawns so I tend to keep on top of the grass length now and compensate with what I grow in the borders and in the back garden, anything that sprouts is left to grow except the most pernicious of weeds which are cut and discarded directly onto the soil as I do not have space to compost. Adding a pond to the habitat is a really good suggestion as it encourages different wildlife, along with logs and wood for natural places of shelter from the heat of summer.

[@sorbuslearning]

No Mow May, Blooming June, Knee High July + Anxiety August... on top of everything you've said what about grasshoppers & crickets that mature around then to final adult stage when they breed in August/September? Whilst I agree that early season mowing to control grass maybe necessary and should stop in late April but leave lawns and wildflower meadows long through plant growing/propogating season and wildlife breeding season. Cutting left to late autumn and sycthe not strimmer. Nice one Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, thank you! Sorry for the delay in acknowledging you, it's been difficult to keep up with everyone's brilliant comments under this video, and every one of them positive and encouraging. Some great points here and I really appreciate it - have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@carlbrinton4639]

Brilliant message mate. Great shout out to the local authorities, they need to leave the green areas to nature. I’m going to leave my front lawn to grow all summer after putting some plug wild flowers in.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Carl, I really appreciate this and it's just brilliant to know that you are going to undertake a #nomowsummer and therefore really #HelpOurWildlife - thanks for the encouragement and support, it means a lot - best wishes, Joel

[@cajb2977]

We are lucky to have a large garden and have slowly been getting the nerve to leave larger and larger areas un-mown. I love seeing the wildlife we get. Planning the wildlife pond also 😊.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic, I'm just so thrilled at all these positive comments and people completely understanding that I'm doing this for the benefit of the wildlife people clearly care about. Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate it. Best wishes - Joel

[@susanlinsell136]

So informative. I will definitely be carrying out no mow summer.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Susan, thank you - at least you'll have more time to sit and enjoy that vital pond habitat you have already created :) Best wishes, and thank you for the support - Joel

[@PaulOutdoors]

Well said Joel from start to finish. No mow summer with one cut during October with mown strips causing minimum disturbance has got to be the way to go. Habitat fragmentation, destruction and isolation is a major problem. Natural diversity or tidy is the choice. 👍🐝🦋😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Paul, I know already you'd have known all of this and be practising it anyway, but some additional good points here and I appreciate it. Best wishes, Joel

[@peterthornton8520]

Simple and very good advice. Lets all do what we can and have a area however small to be our NO MOW space. Great Video Joel. Im in.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Peter, I really appreciate it - so glad that you're willing to do this, you'll be rewarded with visitors and flowers, I promise ☺

[@patcampton7163]

I do leave a lot of my lawn to remain long and have done for some years. I hoped to have a meadow but it grows mainly docksxand creeping buttercup, which seem to killoff the grass. I have just strimmed near the house but I strim near the top of the grass first so I can check for critters. My strimmer is cordless so not very destructive. I just like to have grass paths along my 'meadow'. I could do with some advice on dealing with creeping buttercup though.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Pat, I can help on both, the meadow and how to make it work and of course the creeping buttercup - feel free to drop me a line at [e-mail] - fantastic on leaving the mown paths though, that's what it's all about, not creating temporary habitat.

[@hayleygodwin7705]

Excellent video, this makes so much sense and will definitely influence us this year, I’ve already created a wildlife pond and some patches for wildlife but will aim for the nectar lawn for the rest of it. I’ll also share your video on local and gardening pages to spread the word. I wonder if PlantLife will respond to this as it would be great to get everyone on the same page.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much Hayley, I'm absolutely chuffed at people's responses here, I really am. If I'm honest with you... I've been being a pain about this #nomowmay for a while but some think it easier to ignore me or pretend it didn't happen. I've been shouting about #nomowsummer for over 3 years now - all that happened was some more catchphrases like I mentioned in the video about June and July... I wish we could all act together, it's for the wildlife we all purportedly care about anyway :) Best wishes, Joel

[@hayleygodwin7705]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton you’re very welcome, hopefully the time will come some day - mighty oaks from little acorns!

[@Xandermonkey]

I did no mow May a few years back, but in 2022 I extended to a no mow summer. As long as it doesn’t rain too much, the grass stays short whilst all the ‘weeds’ flower and it is absolutely amazing and beautiful. I’ve also noticed quite a few of my neighbours leaving their lawns unmown for longer since I did this. Well worth doing. Mow it as short as possible in late April or early May, after the last heavy rain, and you’ll have a natural looking space that’s great to spend time in and great for wildlife. Even have some tiny native orchids!

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

Excellent strategy ! Started doing that about 4-5 years ago on an acre of back & side yards, 20% 40 plus yr-old pines grew on the north side, graced with vines that were easily kept under control. My lawn paths were easy duty work in June & July while August into the fall, when grass growth slows was minimal. Let the pine yard take care of itself with natures rewards and the rest of the yard, divided by mower paths, were rich gardens full of wonderful wild flowers blooming together or in turn as the season moved on. First time in my life applied lazyness really worked for a super success . . . and it didn't cost a penny for seed . . . Other that what was throen in as a test.

[@anettroses]

Thank you very much, that was such an instructive video

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, thank you so much for this - I really appreciate you taking the time to leave this comment, it does make a difference - best wishes, Joel

[@jenniferabel2811]

I had wondered and worried about these very questions wrt nomowMay, and I'm so grateful to have had this authoritative account. I'd already decided to cut early this year, but I'll begin thinking of how to implement no-mow-summer--in coordination with my neighbors, who I know would also be interested. We all have a balance of pasture and woods, animals and gardens. None of us has more than 8 hectares, or any kind of professional operation. There is no reason we can't try to find a way to accomodate our animals and gardens without destroying the ecosystem. PS "Guys" does not mean males. In 2024, "guys" has been gender inclusive since forever. You are nice to try accomodating the professionally offended.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

"professionally offended" hahaha! I'm really glad this helped confirm that you have been doing the right thing and are prepared to keep going and improve even more. I really hope the video helps you spread the word, and thanks so much for the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@kathrynnielsen8367]

I was going to say the same with the word "Guys". Some people are getting so picky.

[@BritishBeachcomber]

I keep some of my land unmown throughout the season. But I mow most of it before it gets unmanageable. Never cut everything at the same time. Never mow margins. Works well.

[@gorchilo]

Mow vs no-mow gets resolved once you get to experience grazing animals on your field. It is so satisfying to watch as well as to realize that the purpose of wild grasses is to feed grazing animals. If managed properly, grazed meadows always look wild but are never overgrown.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely this! The video at the end of this one explains this method used by a wonderful city in France, Blois. They bring in ewes to even mow the roundabouts and verges, all done safely and it works so well. Very best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@peterjago]

Makes sense. Thanks for the 'heads up'.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome Peter, thanks for your support - best wishes, Joel

[@maisycakes1125]

Just fab advice & learning for me - Thankyou.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Maisy, really glad that this was helpful and has answered some questions - best wishes, Joel

[@mattliamjack3293]

Traditionally, leave it til after summer solstice, then cut turn over to thresh out seeds then cut again in September. Also holds moisture til if spring dry. Atmospheric moisture good for insects. Also leave a third through whole summer..

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Matt, this can apply to large meadows of course, but cutting everything after summer solstice means after June - I know you are referring to "traditionally" and of course as I mention in the video this was because of fodder for animals over the winter. When it comes to gardens I doubt many people will be having to feed animals over winter and that way our gardens can become safe havens for longer. Agree re leaving a third through whole summer, but also sections through winter too. Best wishes, Joel

[@mattliamjack3293]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton all uk garden together, more sq hectares than wild meadows. You should also do vids on shrub and tree cutting and renovation, to allow nesting, habitat flowering , materials, and leaving stacks of debris for habitat...water integral...puddles or pools. Good luck 💚🌎🌍👍🏼💪🏼✌🏼🙏🏼

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@mattliamjack3293 Absolutely this, and we are in charge of our own private green spaces/gardens so much easier to be custodians etc. I've done videos on all the above, but with 300 videos on the channel so far they're easily missed - I won't stop going on about them though! 🤣 Thanks for your support and encouragement Matt, it's appreciated.

[@Kingtrollface259]

I've seen this been done and it does work, it provides a safe environment for so many species, I hate the urban life style of living on top of each other, people aren't meant to live like that, devoid of nature and it's beauty

[@Sorrowful00]

What you're describing is called a sink habitat; a habitat that attracts large amounts of wildlife thanks to its ecological qualities, but due to periodic human intervention it causes more mortality than population growth. Ponds Gambusia and other decorative fish often pose the same issue.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Yes, we're responsible for a lot of invasive species - it's like us with the Grey Squirrel here, they didn't swim here of course, we brought them back from the USA but they are now considered a pest and each year the young suffer because of what we did years and years ago. When born they're programmed to survive, like every other being and again they didn't ask to be here. That's another video and story though and I know of the complications and the wider picture but you make some great points here and I appreciate it. Best wishes, Joel

[@yellowzora]

My lawn is in such a "bad shape" that least year, I only mowed it once in Spring and once in Autumn, it never grew tall at all. This year, I have beautiful patches of long grasses growing! It looks much better, much less patchy and more green and dense, and I'll now be working hard on convincing my boyfriend that we shouldn't mow it until later. Hopefully it will look nice again next year :)

[@EverythingIsMagick360]

Thank you Joel for this video 😀 We made the decision nearly 10 years ago to keep our garden wild. We have random flowers coming up every year as well as different hedging, roses, herbs and a small pond. The wildlife is amazing, we even found a stag beetle last year 💛 One of our neighbours literally hates our garden and will cut even the slightest infringement through the fence. 😂 When will folks realise that we are nature and wouldn't be here without her 🌟 Keep up the excellent work you do ✨ Angie✨

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank YOU Angie! So good to read this, it really is. Stag Beetle... wow, it just shows that everything is working and you should be very proud of sticking to your principles and having all those rewards for your efforts. I empathise re neighbour... one of ours (and I'm not kidding) goes along the fence with scissors.... it's SO tempting to replace the fencing that side with chicken wire... ;) I really appreciate your encouragement and support, best wishes - Joel

[@frealafgb]

Great video! It makes so much sense. I love the idea of a nectar lawn. That could be "tidy" and still helpful for wildlife. Maybe I'll try this in the small part of my back garden that still has any lawn! Well. Unmowed foot high grass.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, so much - sorry I've not been able to get to you sooner but there are so many brilliant comments here, like yours. It's so encouraging to read all these and I'm so grateful - best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@MyKharli]

I just keep pathways clear of nettles mostly . After my last no mow may my lawn mower couldn't cut it . Full of campions , meadowsweet , evening primrose and many others , let alone the stuff crawling around .

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Sounds like a dream, and very rewarding for a lot less effort :) Best wishes, Joel

[@MyKharli]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton It is , keeping the deer out made the most difference to the amount of wild flowers , .4 or 5 deer in a night can eat stupendous amounts . It took years of persuading them just to use the bottom of the garden as a route between two woodlands ! Purple loosestrife is one of my favourites i can have back now as the deer were really pushy for it . I think large tracts of countryside with excessive deer populations get quite denuded of several flowering species .

[@karenannaluisa3370]

Interesting! Love the concept of No-now-summer. ❤ Seems reasonable for everyone who has already transformed a lawn into a meadow.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Karen, I'm absolutely thrilled with the responses here under this video, it's so encouraging and makes taking that time out absolutely worthwhile - this is one video that I hope gets shared and shared and reaches more people. The difference to wildlife that this could make would be incredible. Best wishes, Joel

[@martyn888]

Absolutely fantastic, Joel! I have been working with our council to push exactly this, also rotational cutting. Would you be able to produce a video about cutting at the end of summer to include rotational cutting and leaving areas uncut for overwintering insects etc? Also using a strimmer in a nature-friendly way using a harness so that several inches are left above the ground?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I'll do my best Martin, although I never use strimmers it doesn't mean that I can't do a video as you describe, I'll try to remember this when I am on my client meadow cuts later in the year. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement though, it makes a huge difference and I'm very grateful - best wishes, Joel

[@martyn888]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton many thanks for your quick reply, Joel! Personally, I think strimmers are one of the most destructive and harmful items of cutting machinery that were ever invented.

[@marinkelmoon2866]

I love this, I’ve been adhering to this concept for forever. I’m glad you mention councils who need to adopt it as well. I live in a small French town where small hillsides and meadows are mowed regularly with strimmers, which is abhorrent. You mentioned the city of Blois but didn’t provide a link. I was hoping to find a resource to provide to city council so they too can join the nomowsummer initiative!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there! Thank you so much for this, I did put the Blois video link at the end of this video but sometimes you have to act quick before it disappears and another video starts! However, here is the link for you, it really is a great example to show any council: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3XRcpqGbK58jMU I really hope this helps - there is no excuse for other councils not to be able to do this. Best wishes, Joel

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

I noticed windflowers (especially oxeye daisies) have gone crazy this year thanks to no mow may. The countryside looks amazing, there are fields of them.

[@kiwiopklompen]

I’d did the NZ no mow summer for some of the lawn - and for a while it was lovely - but towards the end it no longer looked nice. So i decided to mow it - well.. what a job! And it’s taking more than 4 weeks to recover from the big chop. Ah well.. live and learn. I will now just dedicate a section to long grass and wildlife.

[@helenamcginty4920]

Well I now live in rural Andalucia with a small concreted patio. I always leave self sown borage to rampage in my veg planters early on as bees love the flowers and I can eat the leaves. This year one grew in a crack in the concrete. Because it gets more water that narurally it has thrived.its 1m across and almost 1m high. After bee numbers fell off a cliff about 5 years ago they have slowly increased. I can hear their buzzing from my living room. So relaxing. It looks a but messy esp now as it is starting to go over. Ive already started cutting the straggly ones for my little Heath Robinson compost bin.