Our front "lawn" is now cut just once a year, around the end of August or beginning of September, and has been managed as a wild flower meadow for approaching 10 years. One of our neighbours has told us it is an “eyesore” but two other neighbours are adopting a similar approach to us.

There are around 20 species of native wild flower species - Oxeye Daisy, Fox and Cubs, Common Hawkweed and Meadow Buttercup predominated in May and June. Many were already there, under the well mown grass of the previous owner - just changing the mowing regime resulted in a huge change in what appeared.

We have introduced one or two species - Yellow Rattle from locally collected seed, which reduces the grasses, and Common Knapweed which was transplanted from another, much smaller “wild” patch in the back garden, where it had appeared after we stopped mowing there. 

What is fascinating is watching how, over the years, various species appear, some coming to predominate, and then decline. Rather to our surprise, this year a patch of Dyer’s Greenweed has appeared. No idea how it got there. It does occur in the wider area but nowhere close - a present from the birds, I suppose.