...or a bonkers idea?
I guess one day we will all have to accept that there may be a compromise between environmental responsibilities and our respective need to make a profit.
Indeed, in the last 10 years I have noted that more people are preferring to leave grass longer and not treat with chemicals in a bid to encourage and protect wildlife.
But if Environment secretary Liz Truss gets her way we could see people reduce or stop cutting lawns altogether. Although, having said that, I do think the way this is being reported is rather sensationalist and this move is aimed more toward farmers and larger grass areas than the domestic lawn.
"Gardeners should give up their lawnmowers and let their grass go rogue to protect daisies and lavender, which provide vital pollen for bees and other pollinators, Liz Truss will suggest. Calling for people to do more to help pollinators in their gardens and local parks, Truss will say, echoing the folksong An English Country Garden: “Oxeye daisies, lavender, primroses, cyclamen – they are just a few of the common flowers that are bee-friendly."
Read more here: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/04/bees-uk-protect-liz-truss-pollinating-lawnmower
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Unlikely, the net gain from all the gardens in the UK would be small compared to the gain made simply by improving grassland - If you can convince just one grass-land farmer to say, Turn 20 acres into a wildflower meadow, and compensate him for the lower productivity, you have a long term guarenteed wildlife boost, which would in reality have required several Hundred gardens to be left like this, which couldnt really be policed or enforced.
In short, kind of bonkers regarding the lawn.........
It can work very effecively in borders and planting plans though........ and thatsd where the focus should be.
As for grassland - Perhaps if city councils were told this a huge chunk, OVERNIGHT could be turned into a huge wildlife haven.....
City's like leeds have over 10,000 acres of grass and parkland, not including verges and small parks......... The less frequented areas could simply be put to a yearly topping.... saving money and giving a huge wilflife boost. Most of these areas are rarely used anyway.
Has anyone else ever had lavender in their lawns?
Thought not.
I can't see why it's not a better suggestion to encourage borders to have more flowering perennials, and less of the boring evergreens and structural shrubs?
There are wild flower meadows popping up in places like National Trust sites, which is a great start, but would have thought there would be fairly limited value to domestic gardens doing this too. Many gardens already have flower beds as you say David, so the lawn wouldn't add much.
Read an article about how all the housing in Britain would fit into the golf courses in Britain so there are definitely much larger green spaces. If councils take up the idea it could also reduce spending on amenities due to much lower maintenance requirements, which could benefit more than just the bees...!
Good to know there are people in power looking into the pollinator issue, hopefully it'll make some progress towards saving our fuzzy friends :)
Large amenity areas on the other hand.... There is great scope to improve these as wildflower meadows with a positive affect for improving both the beauty of an area and the increase in wildlife. Those parks and areas of 100 plus acres could easily have a plan drawn which allows the area to be shared with humans and insects. Carefully cut paths information boards and the like. It would also reduce costs to councils and authorities. It could also make use of those areas that have been "abandoned" due to cost and lack of access for machinery.
Overall a good idea but asking Joe or Joanne Public to stop having manicured lawns..... That's unworkable and therefore bordering on mad as an idea.
Just my opinion.
I wonder will the Environment secretary be doing this on her own lawn?
surely thats not meant to read lavender?
Maybe they just picked a plant that they know attracts insects?