Letting the grass grow

In June last year I wrote about the threat to bio-
diversity that is the inevitable result of over-enthusiastic grass cutting by local authorities and others (June 14^th 2012, Grass Cutting - the unkindest cut. click here to view). 

For some time I have been trying to encourage Parish Councils to bear in mind the damage that can be done by the promotion of too much well intentioned smooth green sward,  It is important to remember to leave space for longer grass and wildflowers in order to promote and protect wildlife of all sorts. 

I was therefore pleased to receive a press release from Babergh yesterday stating that it is the intention to let the grass grow in selected places throughout the District.   This initiative from out horticultural officers follows successful pilot schemes in Lawshall and Long Melford.  With the agreement of residents, some grassed areas in these villages were cut only once last year, and wild flowers have been supplied to encourage bees and other insects.

Lavenham has also taken the initiative in this area.  Last month residents went out in the snow to create the first wildlife meadow in the parish, with plants supplied by Babergh and also by people from their own gardens.  Babergh officers have kindly forwarded me some photographs of their efforts which are shown below.

It is worth repeating what I was told by our local wildlife expert, George Millins on this subject:-

‘The ecological devaluation of grassland by close mowing, reducing it to a pretty lifeless green desert, has a much wider impact on wildlife than just eradicating butterflies, moths and bees. The resulting lack of grassland fauna has a serious knock on effect for birds, amphibians, reptiles, hedgehogs - now a BAP species, badgers and foxes.’

You can also help endangered wildlife by setting aside a part of your garden.  At Jackdaws we started a low cut regime in two areas over a year ago now, cutting only annually at different times to promote a wider variety of plant life.   We will be interested to see what has taken root when the summer comes round (eventually) and are proposing to help things along a bit by obtaining some wild flower plants in due course.