Category: Environment

Lawns do provide space for relaxation and some animals like woodpeckers, but most are vanity projects. The market is estimated at about $3 billion per year. Add in energy costs and the chemicals and we individually pay billions to destroy wildlife. My neighbour sprays dandelions with something horrible despite her husband assiduously mowing it short very 2 weeks. Why – does she hate bees and hover flies?

Environmentalists like to blame farmers, and I assure they contribute to loss of habitat in a large way, at least they are producing food. However the 15-20 million lawn owners are doing their bit to destroy our planet for vanity. The ozone layer was almost destroyed by people using aerosols to smell … often … vile. Vanity again.

All was quiet then 3 long tailed tits, 2 robins, 1 great tit, 1 blue tit, 1chaffinch, 1 hedge sparrow in 5 mins. And then gone.

Reporter in the G said lack of butterfly’s might be down to earlier hatching – nob. They are disappearing.

First tomato starting to blush – hopefully by Monday the stream should start. Raspberries and Loganberries are also making a break for freedom. Temperatures are above 20C for next week at least so that should help the harvest.

Front garden is a happy chaos. Cornflowers, chicory flowers, marigold, vetch, Californian poppy, evening primrose, night scented stock, nasturtium, fennel, sage flowers, different types of lavender in flower, but few bees, butterflies, etc. All growing alongside the 30 pots of thymes and mints, oregano and verbena and golden verbena. All growing in chaos – no colour co-ordination, many self seeded and growing as nature intended (apart from the pots to keep mints under control.

A neighbour decided to leave most of their lawn uncut and was happy with the grasses rippling in the wind, and the yellow vetch. They are now extremely happy to have orchids, and yes I am a tiny bit jealous!