THE warm spring weather means most UK residents are already tending to their gardens in preparation for summer.
However, one common task should be left until June, according to experts.
Wildlife enthusiasts recommend putting off the outdoor task until June 21, reports the Daily Express.
The job is question is mowing your lawn and the warning has even been backed by Sir David Attenborough.
Along with other nature activists, he has called for British people to “delay mowing” during spring.
The country has lost a shocking 97% of precious habitat vital to the food chain due to over mowing.
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Bugs like bees, butterflies, and even wasps use lawns, and the wildflowers that grow on them, to breed, pollinate, and otherwise maintain a healthy ecosystem at this time of year.
Cutting grass interferes with this, killing off lots of insects that are an essential and increasingly threatened part of the ecosystem.
This means that when these insects die off, the human race will also die off eventually.
“Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows,” David Attenborough said on the BBC‘s Wild Isles nature documentary
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“Sadly, in the last 60 years, we’ve lost 97% of this precious habitat.
“But with nature-friendly farming, meadows can be restored to provide a haven for wildlife.
“It’s all about the timing. Delaying mowing… allows birds and insects to complete their breeding and flowers to set their seed.”
Monty Don of Gardeners World has also weighed in on the important warning.
“Nothing should be cut at all until after the longest day on June 21,” he said.
“This gives the foliage of the bulbs time to die back and feed next year’s bulb and subsequent flowering.
“The grass can then be cut if it has been hot and dry although sometimes I leave this as late as mid-August.”
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Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives.
1. Clean your garden
Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech’s Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks.
2. Weeding
Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round.
3. Hedge maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
4. Composting
Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage.
5. Look after your lawn
Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
UK wildlife organisation Plantlife is now encouraging homeowners to participate in No Mow May 2025.
“[We are] urging everyone to pack away the lawnmower, let wildflowers grow freely, and help nature,” they said.
“A healthy lawn with some longer grass and wildflowers helps to tackle pollution, benefits wildlife and can even lock away carbon below the ground.
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“There are more than 20 million gardens in the UK, so even the smallest grassy patches can add up and deliver enormous gains for nature, people and the climate.”
“That’s why we’re calling on everyone to give power to the flowers in 2025 and take part in the No Mow Movement.”
