14th July 2025

It's not all about long grass. Short turf can be very productive if it's allowed to develop floral diversity. Some flowering plant species can adapt tremendously well to being regularly mown. In ideal conditions, a dandelion for instance, may grow a 30cm flower stalk. Clearly a mower, even on a high setting would cut that off in its prime. However, regularly mown dandelions, will produce prostrate flower stalks, and still set flowers and seeds. A regularly mown lawn which is not subjected to fertilisers and selective herbicides, will soon host a variety of adaptable plants that will, in turn, provide plenty of nectar-rich flowers for pollinators to feast on. Here is a selection from the mown pathways in the churchyard. Clockwise from top left: A mosaic of sorrel, white clover, self-heal and creeping buttercup. Broad-leaved plantain. Birds-foot trefoil. Yellow-flowered strawberry.