Grass verges on Shepherds Bush Green are starting to bloom
No Mow May has returned to Hammersmith & Fulham. Time to let the grass grow tall to help nature thrive.
Wondering what to do with all that new-found time that you'd otherwise spend mowing? Why not see if gardening is for you?
Here are three ideas to help you grow your green thumb this summer.
Tip #1, Start composting
Composting is an easy and low-effort way to create healthier soil for tastier food.
It can also help cut methane emissions – a greenhouse gas twenty-five times as powerful as carbon dioxide.
To make good compost, you need a 50:50 mix of organic materials that are rich in nitrogen (green waste) and carbon (brown waste).
Green waste includes grass clipping and annual weeds, fruit and veg peels, teabags and even eggshells. Brown waste ranges from pruning and hedge trimmings, through to paper towels, old newspapers and paper bags.
As these materials break down, they create a nutrient-rich soil for your garden, that can trap carbon and pollutants, helping to keep our air and water clean.
Anyone living in H&F can benefit from our 'buy-one-get-one-free' compost bin scheme – ideal if neighbours or friends want to start composting together.
There are a variety of compost bins suitable for all households, including flats. Find out more on our garden waste and home composting webpage.
Tip #2, Volunteer at a community garden
Help make H&F greener by volunteering at a local community garden, and pick up inspiration for your own yard along the way.
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association (HCGA) is looking for new volunteer gardeners for its projects at Phoenix Farm in White City, Ravenscourt Glasshouses and its Godolphin-based "Get Out There" team.
Volunteering is open to all adults – no gardening experience necessary.
Visit the HCGA website, email Volunteering@hcga.org.uk, or visit the new and improved glasshouse community centre at Ravenscourt Park on 10-11 June as part of London Open Gardens weekend to find out more.
Tip #3, Build wildlife a home
No Mow May is all about creating more space for local wildlife. Why not go the extra mile and create something new to support your garden's biodiversity?
Whether it's a hedgehog home, insect hotel, mini watering hole, container garden, or a bat box – there are lots of easy ways for you to make life outside a little easier for our wild neighbours.
Any green space can be improved.
Or team up with your neighbours to create a wildlife corridor by leaving holes in your fences. This allows hedgehogs and other wildlife such as frogs to venture further into our borough.
Find more ways to invite nature into our borough on our Rewilding Raves webpage.
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