Don't just mow it. Do just grow it.

Spring has arrived. Mow the lawn...two weeks...mow the lawn...two weeks...mow the lawn...

Hang on though.

You walk on this bit, the kids play on that bit, sometimes we picnic on that bit... but that bit, along by the fence, over there, it could be left. Not left out of laziness but left out of curiosity. What will come through?

This wonderful piece of bee friendly, un-mowed lawn (pictured) belongs to a clever, thoughtful gardener (my Auntie-in-law). A few years ago the area was just left to the grape hyacinth, daisy, celandine...and then some snake's head fritillary were added. Now the previously tightly mowed grass is awash with colour, and that colour has brought in the bees (and no doubt, if I had had time to look, loads of other insects too).

Why wouldn't you? Better for bees, more colour, more scents and less mowing.

I'm not saying a mowed lawn isn't beautiful in its way. This one in Littledean came to life after it's first cut of the year:

But by stopping where I did, this client got the best of both words. The top half of the garden, awash with Lady's Smock, celandine, grape hyacinth, primroses and daffodils, was best left alone. For a few weeks at least.

Give it a go. Leave it. Leave it and add some wildflowers. Leave it and add some bulbs. Leave it and add some bulbs and wildflowers. Less mowing. Less effort. More time for coffee.