‘Slow Mow May’ will balance grass cutting operations in the borough

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced it will support this year’s No Mow May campaign.

After listening to feedback, following supporting the campaign last year, the Council will ensure there is a balanced approach, as not everyone agreed with leaving the grass uncut.

National charity, Plantlife, launched the #NoMowMay campaign which encourages everyone to leave their mowers in their sheds for the month of May to allow pollen rich flowers for nature’s emerging insects.

Grass cutting operations will slow down during the month of May and teams will leave selected areas of grass to grow on some high-speed routes to help biodiversity.

This means that wildflowers such as dandelions will continue to flower and provide important sources of nectar for insects. The campaign coincides with World Bee Day on Saturday 20 May which promotes the importance of pollinators like bees.

As part of its Wildflower and Grasslands Strategy, which began last year, the Council is committed to planting wildflowers, with additional meadows being created across west Cheshire during 2023. Once this year’s phase of planting is complete, there will be 101 new mini meadows across the borough, the equivalent of four full size football pitches.

Over the next three years more native wildflower meadows will be created which will then be the equivalent of 24 football pitches.

The project is in partnership with Chester Zoo, who funded machinery to help prepare the soil via their Nature Recovery Corridor project.

Park Friends groups are also getting involved. The Friends of Westminster Park in Chester have asked for large areas of the park to be left for nature. These areas will be monitored and maintained by the groups, in partnership with the Council.

Residents may wish to take part in No Mow May in their own gardens to boost biodiversity in the borough. Whether it’s a small patch or a whole lawn, it can have an impact on plants, insects and animal life. May is a particular important month as the first nectar rich flowers begin to emerge.

Road safety is a priority for the Council, so as always grass cutting will continue in areas such as road junctions and bends to avoid any potential road hazards. The grass on areas like football pitches, play areas and paths will also still be cut to ensure these areas can still be enjoyed.

Regular grass cutting schedules will resume across the borough in June.

More information on the Council’s wildflower strategy can be found on the Council website:

Wildflowers | Cheshire West and Chester Council