Nothing is more synonymous with a beautiful spring day than spotting butterflies weaving their way across your garden. Butterflies are appreciated by many outdoor enthusiasts thanks to their beauty and symbolism pertaining to transformation. But for gardeners looking to welcome more butterflies in their outdoor spaces this summer, avoiding this one common act is strongly urged.
The month of May marks the official beginning of the growing season, with many British gardeners looking to trim their grass in order for it to thrive under these warmer conditions. However, this seemingly innocent act, which many gardeners will already be preparing for, could see them endangering butterflies in the long run, warn experts.
According to the State of the UK’s Butterflies report which was released by Butterfly Conservation, around 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s.
There are a host of reasons for this worrying decline, including global warming, but one expert also warns it could be down to mowing your lawn.
That’s because butterflies often prefer a mixture of grass lengths to provide adequate food and shelter with lawn mowing being partly to blame for an absence in butterflies over the years.
“When you mow your lawn, don’t mow it all,” advises Robin Griffiths, who is part of the Wiltshire branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Speaking to the BBC, he added: “To mow the lawn completely and regularly through the summer does very little for insects.”
Griffiths advised instead, to exercise restraint when it comes to grass mowing over the summer season.
So pertinent is this advice, there is even a campaign known as No Mow May which aims at appealing to gardeners throughout the UK to pledge not to mow their lawns for the month.
The No Mow May movement started in 2019 by conservation charity Plantlife and urges people to keep the mower locked up for another month in order to allow spring plants a chance to set seeds before the first cutting.
By restraining from mowing your lawns this May, it allows a much-needed boost when it comes to plants having more nectar and pollinators, while also allowing for healthier and more diverse lawns.
The emergence of butterflies typically takes place in spring and summer from the chrysalis, with summer being a peak time when it comes to the activity of these stunning insects.
Experts further reiterated that by allowing your garden to grow more freely, you can create a far more diverse environment that’s ideal for butterflies.
Other ways to promote more butterflies in your gardens is by planting more nectar-rich flowers in sunny, sheltered spots which is among the best types of food for caterpillars.
Avoiding pesticide use and leaving some fallen fruit on the ground can also help as it becomes a butterfly feeder, thus promoting more sights of these beautiful winged creatures in your garden this summer.
