Bee Happy

[Chipchopper]

For the last few years I've followed advice from professional gardeners and conservationists, and followed the "No Mow May Régime" where you simply stop mowing designated areas of lawn, to create mini meadow areas for the benefit of wild life, plus my own wellbeing.
This has increased the diversity of both flora and fauna, and added much more interest to the former monoculture of just my plain old lawn, it also allows me more time to sit back and enjoy the show and watch the wildlife it attracts.
Looking back, I have no regrets, and would I recommend it to anyone? You betcha!

[rowanwitch]

I used to leave a patch of lawn unmowed right up to October. After a few years it had daisies, clovers, self heal, and birds foot trefoil, it was always full of bees and it gave a place for the frog and toadlets to hide. I also had a wild patch at the back where I allowed woodland edge plants to spread. Foxgloves, cow parsley ( hoverfly central) and comfrey along with some tree form ivy ( started on a wigwam of very stout canes) most of the garden was still a bit tidied but full of wild life. No mow may is a great way in to developing a space for nature....

[Chipchopper]

I agree, Rowan, I'm happy to let the unmown areas come to fruition in late September, no two years seem to be the same, this year I have lots of sorrel and cut-leaf geranium coming up, but my favorite has to be orange hawkbit, sour thistle has gone bananas this year, and is well over 6ft.
I love the way that selfheal gives way to bugle later in the season to keep our friends the bees happy, after all where would we be without them?

[Chipchopper]

Sorry, I got the selfheal and the bugle round the wrong way

[KristalBee]

We had an ornamental pond, which after the fish got eaten by something I just let it go. There is a pump and waterfall feature, so the water was not stagnant. Now, after 2 years, I have various self-sown marginal plants, the water is teaming with bugs and larvae, and we have a family of toads who feast on the slugs in the garden. I planted borage and buddleia, along with other bee friendly flowering shrubs, and the raised veggie beds are organic. I love my garden, it was life saving, mentally, during lockdown.

[Chipchopper]

You're on the right tracks, Kristabee, so much better than trying to bludgeon the garden into submission with deadly chemicals.
My pond gives me hours of interest, even though its fairly new, I'm envious of your toads btw.

[ladybirder]

What a lovely thread.

[1ozzy]

Probably inappropriate, but I couldn't resist.

[10ClarionSt]

My garden gets too many toilet visits from nuisance cats. They've had it if I get my hands on them.

[1ozzy]

Be very afraid Mr Street.

There be many a cat lover on AB.

[10ClarionSt]

I know. I'm sure everyone on here knows I'm not an animal person. hey ho! :o)

[KristalBee]

Chipchopper. I love the toads. A couple of years ago neighbours were filling in their huge pond and I found a couple of toads on my back step. I put them in the pond as temporary accommodation until they found their own place and they rewarded me soon after with a huge lump of spawn in one corner of the pond. There are adults hopping about and lots of fat tadpoles at the moment.

[Chipchopper]

I counted about 8 adult toads, a couple of years back, living under a large garden chest, I've not moved it since or fear of squishing them.