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Join Thousands Across the UK Taking Part in the No Mow Movement

19 March 2026

Plantlife’s No Mow May is back. No Mow May is one of the easiest ways to help the environment – letting wildflowers like dandelions, clover and daisies grow and supporting bees and butterflies.

Sign up to taking care of your garden or green space for nature – our pledge opens today ➜ plantlife.org.uk/nomowmay 

In data analyzed on sign-ups to No Mow May from 2025:
• The top wildest postcodes in the UK were those in East Sussex (with a TN postcode), such as Bexhill-on-Sea, Ninfield and Lunsford’s Cross. This was closely followed by East and West Sussex (a BN postcode)
• A third (32%) of households in 2025 were first-time participants, showing the movement continues to attract new audiences
• A third (29%) said they wouldn’t just manage their gardens for nature during May, but limit mowing for the whole summer.

A wildflower meadow in a garden
A garden with long grass and mown paths with hammocks hanging from trees

Sarah Shuttleworth, Specialist Botanical Advisor at Plantlife, said: “We can see the blossoming support for No Mow May continues to grow – with people across the UK leaving even a few wild patches to grow in May and beyond. So whether in a city, town or the countryside, even the smallest garden can be a buzzing lifeline for wildlife.”

Lawn guidance for the summer months:
• Getting the best results from No Mow May: If you want to give biodiversity the biggest boost, there’s a simple trick – variety! Keeping 2 to 3 different grass lengths throughout the summer helps maximise flower variety and the nectar they produce.
• Reducing mowing: Keep paths and recreation areas mown short but frame these functional areas with a flowering lawn mown once every 4 to 8 weeks. This allows common, low-growing wildflowers to regrow and reflower throughout the summer
• Mow mindfully: Check your lawn for wildlife – and never mow around the edges towards the centre. Instead, progress gradually towards sanctuary areas such as uncut grass strips at boundaries. Begin with a high blade, then mow strips only half as wide as the mower. You can then re-pass with blades set lower to finish the job.
• Collect cuttings: Rake or collect clippings after mowing to prevent nutrient build-up, which helps wildflowers thrive year after year.

Why May?
May is when most of our wild plants are getting going for the season and so giving them time during this period to grow, gives them a good head start. Sometimes it is easier for people to start small, before committing to a bigger shift in their gardening journey. The goal is to mow less for longer all year round.

No garden?
Encourage wildlife with a pot or window box or see if your local church, mosque or other place of worship has a green space they can pledge for nature. You could chat to your council about a park or road verge – or see if your local school will take part.

• Sign up at plantlife.org.uk/nomowmay and let it grow for nature!
• Tag us with images and videos of your wild spaces #NoMowMay #LetItGrow