No mow zones
Since the 1930s, 97% of UK's wildflower meadows have been lost or changed, leading to the threat of extinction for 87 wildflower species. This habitat loss has also resulted in declines in populations of pollinating insects.
Across the borough, working with our parks contractors, Glendale, we have a new management system regime for grass verges that are nature-friendly with the aim of boosting biodiversity in the area. In late summer, these 'no mow zones', nature-friendly verges will receive one annual cut and then be left to grow throughout the rest of the year. This allows plants to set seed before the cut. The cuttings will be removed to decrease nutrient levels of the soil which helps wildflowers, and create more diverse verges whilst providing feed for the bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Grass verges can act as wildlife corridors connecting habitats and greenspaces. They not only increase floral diversity but also provide more pollinator habitats, benefiting bees, butterflies, and other invertebrates. We aim to enhance biodiversity in the borough by allowing the verges to grow.
This started in May 2023. As well as grass verges some carefully selected areas in Housing estates and Cemeteries have been included to support wildflower and grass development that supports wildlife.
Locations included in the scheme:
- Bell Green raised grass area (SE26)
- Brookmill Road (SE8)
- Downham toilets (BR1)
- Friendly Street grass verges (SE8)
- Meadowview Road (SE6)
- Pagnell Street (SE14)
- Romborough Gardens (SE13)
- St. Norbert Green (SE4)
- Sydenham Hill (SE26)
- Sydenham Road / Southend Lane (SE26)
- Thomas Lane (SE6)
- Westwood Hill (SE26)
- Whitefoot Terrace (BR1)
- Winchfield Road (SE26)
- Woodpecker Road (SE28)
As well as:
- some plots on rotation in Ladywell and Brockley Cemeteries
- some plots on rotation in Hither Green Cemetery (specifically the area around the pond, where the wildflower memorial cards are planted)
- some plots on rotation in Grove Park Cemetery
What can I do to help?
You could take part in No Mow May, a national campaign to encourage people not to mow their lawns until the end of May to boost the flowers, and nectar, available to pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies, and moths.
There are several other things that you can do to help wildlife in your garden. You can find out more about these on our biodiversity page.
FAQs
Why has Lewisham Council doing no mow zones?
We're working to boost biodiversity in our borough by creating nature-friendly verges, as 97% of the UK's wildflower meadows have been lost or altered since the 1930s. By changing the management on these areas, we will help a more diverse range of wildflowers to establish.
This initiative builds on other actions that we are taking to support biodiversity, such as the butterfly scrapes in areas like Beckenham Place Park and creating tiny forests in Ladywell Fields.
I am concerned that these verges will act as litter traps. How will you manage this?
Litter picking and the cutting of the marginal areas will continue as normal.