LEARN HOW - pollinator grass cutting
Bees and other pollinating insects such as butterflies are in trouble, but making gardens “pollinator friendly” helps boost their numbers. Every garden, no matter its size, can be a haven for hungry pollinators.
Most pollination in Ireland is carried out by bees as they feed their young exclusively on pollen so they are entirely focused on collecting it from flowers to bring back to their nests.
Native flowering plants in grass areas, field corners, verges and specially sown flower-rich habitats support the greatest diversity of insect pollinators by providing nectar and pollen resources, places to nest or breed, and leaves for caterpillars. Hence it’s important to get the management right, particularly the cutting or grazing regime, to optimise conditions for pollinators.
In an established pasture, lawn, or grass-flower mix, some wildflower species can take several years to establish or re-appear. So when you start to cut the grass less often or to reduce grazing intensity, it’s important to be patient and persevere.
Delaying cutting and removing vegetation in established lawns, verges, parkland, municipal parks, and golf courses until after the majority of plants have flowered, will help to lengthen the time the area of grass and flowers can deliver nectar and flower resources for pollinators. An alternative approach to cutting the grass less often would be for you to leave specific areas or patches of your lawn, verges, parkland, or golf courses to grow long over the season.
For newly sown grass-flower mixes, it’s important to be aware that the new sward will need regular hard cutting and removal of cuttings in the early phase of growth to remove fertility, encourage the flowers to establish and reduce the dominance of the grasses.
In Ireland, there are 98 different types of bee: the honeybee, 20 different bumblebees and 77 different solitary bees. In providing the service of pollination, i.e. fertilising plants, they are helped by other insects like hoverflies, butterflies and moths who all thrive in a garden setting.
Flowers provide a pit stop for hungry bees, whether they are in a few window boxes, a medium to large garden or a community space.
The best actions include:
(1) Protect existing sources of food and shelter for pollinators;
(2) Continue to mow as usual but don't cut grass until mid-April, after the dandelions have flowered but before they set seed. They provide a vital source of spring food for pollinators;
(3) Mow lawns every six weeks: This will allow flowers like clover to bloom, providing more food for pollinators;
(4) Create a wildflower patch, strip or meadow. Some gardens may be large enough to allow portions of the grass to grow long. This will provide native flowers as a food source for the insects;
(5) Have pollinator-friendly plants flowering in the garden from March to October;
(6) Use green manures that are pollinator friendly – and less chemicals such as pesticides and weed killers.
More information is available at pollinators.ie.
Most pollination in Ireland is carried out by bees as they feed their young exclusively on pollen so they are entirely focused on collecting it from flowers to bring back to their nests.
Native flowering plants in grass areas, field corners, verges and specially sown flower-rich habitats support the greatest diversity of insect pollinators by providing nectar and pollen resources, places to nest or breed, and leaves for caterpillars. Hence it’s important to get the management right, particularly the cutting or grazing regime, to optimise conditions for pollinators.
In an established pasture, lawn, or grass-flower mix, some wildflower species can take several years to establish or re-appear. So when you start to cut the grass less often or to reduce grazing intensity, it’s important to be patient and persevere.
Delaying cutting and removing vegetation in established lawns, verges, parkland, municipal parks, and golf courses until after the majority of plants have flowered, will help to lengthen the time the area of grass and flowers can deliver nectar and flower resources for pollinators. An alternative approach to cutting the grass less often would be for you to leave specific areas or patches of your lawn, verges, parkland, or golf courses to grow long over the season.
For newly sown grass-flower mixes, it’s important to be aware that the new sward will need regular hard cutting and removal of cuttings in the early phase of growth to remove fertility, encourage the flowers to establish and reduce the dominance of the grasses.
In Ireland, there are 98 different types of bee: the honeybee, 20 different bumblebees and 77 different solitary bees. In providing the service of pollination, i.e. fertilising plants, they are helped by other insects like hoverflies, butterflies and moths who all thrive in a garden setting.
Flowers provide a pit stop for hungry bees, whether they are in a few window boxes, a medium to large garden or a community space.
The best actions include:
(1) Protect existing sources of food and shelter for pollinators;
(2) Continue to mow as usual but don't cut grass until mid-April, after the dandelions have flowered but before they set seed. They provide a vital source of spring food for pollinators;
(3) Mow lawns every six weeks: This will allow flowers like clover to bloom, providing more food for pollinators;
(4) Create a wildflower patch, strip or meadow. Some gardens may be large enough to allow portions of the grass to grow long. This will provide native flowers as a food source for the insects;
(5) Have pollinator-friendly plants flowering in the garden from March to October;
(6) Use green manures that are pollinator friendly – and less chemicals such as pesticides and weed killers.
More information is available at pollinators.ie.
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