No mow March, April, May, June, July, August, September etc..

 

No mow May starts in March in my Sussex garden.

Whilst, conservation grazing on Wolstonbury Hill, (south of Hurstpierpoint in West Sussex), is almost continuous as it is good for yellow meadow ants and chalk downland plants. On Wolstonbury Hill there might be 100,000 ant hills.

At Natural World - 2010-2011: 8. Butterflies: A Very British Obsession - BBC iPlayer  is an exceptional programme, which explains why ants are so important to our butterflies. 

Steers on Saturday 21 March 26 eating both coarse and finer grasses. 

Cattle have largely cleared Tor-grass, (Brachypodium pinnatum), often highlighted by conservation groups like Plantlife in relation to roadside verges.  It is a coarse, perennial grass that can become dominant and threaten biodiversity in calcareous grasslands. It thrives in low-grazing conditions, forming dense thatch that stifles wildflowers.

The Friends of Wolstonbury clear scrub with saws and loppers 21 March 26.

            Whisps of smoke from the scrub bonfire. 

Ten miles to the north in the High Weald, sandstone and clay strata support very different plants in my wildlife garden.

From March, a hundred or more snake's-head fritillaries are in flower plus numerous Cowslips, Primroses, violets and more.

That means that, apart from pathways in the lawn, I'll not be mowing until Autumn/winter. Four species of native orchids have grown in former years but last year's drought may have killed some of them.

Four species of ants thrive including a big, decades old yellow meadow ant hill.

Such a diversity of plants support very many insect species: a joy to observe.

Wolstonbury Hill, West Sussex, UK: spring shoots today

 It was a work party day today (see www.wolstonbury.com) and despite a grim weather forecast five attended.  Still recovering from illness my contribution was limited to a greeting.  

The scrub on the steep northern slope was being cleared with loppers and saws and burnt.

On the wooded north-facing slopes Heart tongued ferns were spectacular.

Previously, National Trust ranger Mike Botterill had used a brush cutter to remove dense scrub where it was too dangerous to drive a mower.

Lichens are an indicator of good air quality.

Hazel catkins have been out for weeks.

Above the National Trust had months earlier, mown areas here.

Gall on a dog rose,

Last year the "Friends of Wolstonbury" cleared this area over several sessions.

2025 was a bumper year for apples.  The crab apples from this tree are abundant.

Arum lilies are emerging. 

Arum lily

This beech tree has not blown over.  It was snapped off in a gale a couple of years ago.

Heterophilous ivy refers to the phenomenon in Hedera species (common ivy, H. helix) where the plant exhibits two distinct, markedly different growth forms and leaf shapes in its juvenile and mature phases.   This info' from Google AI. 

Growth Phases and Characteristics

• Juvenile Phase: This phase is characterized by trailing or climbing stems that use adventitious roots to attach to structures like trees or walls. The leaves in this phase are typically small, leathery, and deeply 3- to 5-lobed.
• Mature/Adult Phase: When the plant is well-established (usually after 10 years), it transitions to the adult phase. The stems become woody, lose their climbing roots, and become self-supporting. The leaves in this phase are unlobed, generally diamond-shaped or ovate. 

Flowering and Ecological Importance

• Flowers and Berries: The mature, non-climbing shoots produce yellow-green, spherical clusters of flowers, usually from September to November. These produce berries, which are an important winter food source for birds.
• Ecological Value: Ivy is a crucial, non-parasitic plant that provides vital nectar, pollen, and berries for insects and birds during autumn and winter. 

Wild garlic will carpet this area later with a mass of white flowers.

Hayward Heath u3a Nature walk from Ardingly reservoir, 3.6 miles, 6 November 2025

 Lead by Hilary and Marion, with 75 metres of ascent and descent this was a most enjoyable 3.6 miles walk for 12 members of Haywards Heath u3a nature walks group. 

Marion, Chris, Liz, John, Pam, David, Geraldine, Ruth, Hilary & Patricia

Pestle Puffball courtesy Hilary Smith

We were pleased to find a number of interesting fungi, including a Pestle Fungus which was new to us.

View westwards across Ardingly reservoir

Hilary with a Funnel fungus

The Good Samaritan

route recording courtesy of  Liz Hatton 

Our thanks to our leaders, Hilary and Marion and to all who joined the walk for their company and companionship supporting our wellbeing.  See also what the woodland trust say here.