Our ‘grass’, I hesitate to call it lawn because it probably never met the criteria, has gradually been overtaken by raised beds a couple of pots and perennials- with flowers and bulbs growing in a border. It is an incredibly small space but still manages to grow plums, blueberries, a few gooseberries, herbs and whatever happens to be in the raised beds. At the moment there are strawberries, onions, garlic and beetroot. The blossom on the plum tree has just ended. Every time I look at this riot it makes me smile.
Little by little the balance will be returned. It is not too difficult - even a few pots of herbs is a start - but it is made to seem impossible. Hurrah! Encourage a friend, spread the word. 😀
Well said Rosie, on the subject of lawns! I too am a child of the 50s and manicured lawns were part of my childhood too. As a keen gardener I’ve only ever had small lawns, mainly for my children to play on. Now we have a garden on 2 levels, ‘downstairs’ is the veg garden with grass walkways between the beds which are kept fairly short to stop the couch grass rampaging through the vegetables. ‘Upstairs’, around the house we have flower beds planted with pollinators in mind and again grass walkways which again we keep fairly short because of the blasted couch grass.
However, if we see wild flowers growing in the grass we mow around them so that we can enjoy them. I have been much influenced in this by the charity Plantlife which promotes the beauty of wildflowers and plants and is responsible for the No Mow May campaign, it’s very worth checking Plantlife out! They are also responsible for encouraging Councils to only cut grass verges where necessary, hence the explosion of wildflowers growing through the grass verges, certainly where I live in very rural West Somerset.
Because of our own ‘very little mowing’ policy, my husband and I have really enjoyed this year’s Spring flowers, since March, as the Daisies and Primroses have exploded into lush growth in all areas of our grass walkways. The bees and other pollinators love it! Absolutely gorgeous spring display and no way will we ever resort to manicured lawns again.
So I say again Rosie, Well Said and thank you for giving me the chance to rant on your Substack page!
I must admit I have been hiding under the bed since posting as I thought there might be rants - but with the opposite opinion! Thank you - I have come out now and planning my next post on ‘running’ ! We might just start a revolution yet.
Wonderful reading as always. Thank you!
Our ‘grass’, I hesitate to call it lawn because it probably never met the criteria, has gradually been overtaken by raised beds a couple of pots and perennials- with flowers and bulbs growing in a border. It is an incredibly small space but still manages to grow plums, blueberries, a few gooseberries, herbs and whatever happens to be in the raised beds. At the moment there are strawberries, onions, garlic and beetroot. The blossom on the plum tree has just ended. Every time I look at this riot it makes me smile.
Little by little the balance will be returned. It is not too difficult - even a few pots of herbs is a start - but it is made to seem impossible. Hurrah! Encourage a friend, spread the word. 😀
We’ll just have to be brave Rosie if someone devoted to their manicured lawn berates us!
I shall still allow wild flowers to grow in my grass come what may and as long as the pollinators are happy in our garden then so are we.
Well said Rosie, on the subject of lawns! I too am a child of the 50s and manicured lawns were part of my childhood too. As a keen gardener I’ve only ever had small lawns, mainly for my children to play on. Now we have a garden on 2 levels, ‘downstairs’ is the veg garden with grass walkways between the beds which are kept fairly short to stop the couch grass rampaging through the vegetables. ‘Upstairs’, around the house we have flower beds planted with pollinators in mind and again grass walkways which again we keep fairly short because of the blasted couch grass.
However, if we see wild flowers growing in the grass we mow around them so that we can enjoy them. I have been much influenced in this by the charity Plantlife which promotes the beauty of wildflowers and plants and is responsible for the No Mow May campaign, it’s very worth checking Plantlife out! They are also responsible for encouraging Councils to only cut grass verges where necessary, hence the explosion of wildflowers growing through the grass verges, certainly where I live in very rural West Somerset.
Because of our own ‘very little mowing’ policy, my husband and I have really enjoyed this year’s Spring flowers, since March, as the Daisies and Primroses have exploded into lush growth in all areas of our grass walkways. The bees and other pollinators love it! Absolutely gorgeous spring display and no way will we ever resort to manicured lawns again.
So I say again Rosie, Well Said and thank you for giving me the chance to rant on your Substack page!
I must admit I have been hiding under the bed since posting as I thought there might be rants - but with the opposite opinion! Thank you - I have come out now and planning my next post on ‘running’ ! We might just start a revolution yet.