No Mow May and Let it Bloom June
It’s ironic that the poor dandelion is seen as a weed because many cultures around the world have cultivated this plant and used it in herbal medicine for hundreds of years. Being so highly valued, the dandelion was intentionally introduced to North America with European settlers. They are edible and considered to be highly nutritious, being reputed to support liver function and a healthy gut flora. The leaves can be eaten in salads when young or cooked like spinach and the flowers can be used to make tea. Even the root can be dried, roasted and brewed up like coffee!
In addition to this, the dandelion flower is an incredibly valuable source of pollen and nectar for pollinating insects in spring and early summer. Bumblebee queens that are emerging from hibernation and early season solitary bees will use dandelion flowers for energy-giving nectar. A wide variety of insects can be found visiting the flowers, from butterflies, moths, flies and beetles, as well as a range of bees. In the Cairngorms National Park, wildflowers can sometimes be scarce in the countryside in spring and so dandelions in gardens, road verges and greenspaces are really important for insects on the wing at this time of year. Even when the dandelions have gone to seed, forming the iconic “clock” seedhead, these seeds provide food for birds – In my garden I’ve had goldfinches, bullfinches and greenfinches feed on the seed heads.
This May we have been encouraging gardeners to support No Mow May, a campaign run each year by the charity Plantlife which aims to encourage more lawns to be managed with nature in mind. It doesn’t have to be your whole lawn – I have distinct patches in my lawn that I leave uncut, but mow paths around them. As well as dandelions I am also seeing the gorgeous blue coloured germander speedwell, clover and bird’s-foot trefoil none of which would flower if I cut the lawn continually. These will provide an important source of pollen and nectar for wild bees. Leaving some grass to grow long will provide food for the caterpillars of several species of moth and butterfly. Long tussocky grass also provides shelter for anything from common lizard to nesting bumblebees. And who doesn’t want to hear chirruping grasshoppers in their garden? Something you won’t get if you cut the grass regularly.
So why not let some dandelions flower in your patch and see what visits them? Knock a job off your to do list by not mowing for a few extra weeks into Let It Bloom June – you might be surprised by what flowers and grasses appear from your lawn.
Alert
Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.
More news and views
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Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
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Historic bridge in Nethy replaced after years of community effort
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Endangered ant queen found in Royal Deeside
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Digging deep for nature: Speyside High pupils visit Badaguish for tree planting day
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National Park rangers and Police Scotland gear up for joint patrols
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Park Authority June Board meeting takes place in Ballater
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Shetland learnings
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News from the June Planning Committee meeting
