Durham Argus Plants CIC

The wild areas in my garden are definitely my favourite.

Some highlights from my "no mow" lawn areas. The Common blue butterfly is a species I haven't seen in the 3 years I have lived here, a perfect demonstration of how beneficial simply allowing grass to grow long instead of cutting it short can be.

A few species I've come across recently.

A few pictures from a walk this evening

Can't believe I had my own panel on No More Nowt 's Potting Shed bus stop!
I had the pleasure of manning the stop with the lovely Paula from CRT Horden-Hub House

Absolutely loved being a part of this event!

Everyone from No More Nowt worked so hard to pull it off, combined with the incredible support from the community, they really brought some positivity to the streets of Horden.

I will be supervising the Potting Shed bus stop for No More Nowt's 'If These Walls Could Talk' bus stop hop between 2 and 4pm on Friday the 24th of May.
Hope to see you there!

Full details here: https://nomorenowt.org/whats-on/horden-bus-stop-hop

Butterfly update:
Yesterday this little one emerged after spending nearly a month inside its chrysalis.
And it was a Speckled Wood after all!

I tried to capture all the plants in flower on my walk around Warren House Dene this evening. The highlight had to be the Early Purple Orchids.

Some of the species popping up in my front lawn (6x6m)
Yellow rattle (Rhinantus minor) a semi-parasitic plant which photosynthesises as well as acquiring nutrients by parasitising neighbouring plant roots. This weakens grasses, restricting their growth and allowing more flowering plant species to thrive due to reduced competition and increased light levels.
There are also a couple of different species of Orchid including Early purple (Orchis mascula) recognisable by their spotted leaves.

Some of the wild areas in my garden, the next time they will be cut is at the end of the summer.
Last year some Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) appeared in a shared grass patch that I convinced my neighbours to stop mowing.

, June, July, August... I give my wildflower areas a cut in early Spring and then again at the end of summer once most of the wildflowers have gone to seed.
Remember to remove the cuttings from the area to reduce the nutrients going back into the soil.

Get ready to let it grow for 🌱

Plantlife's No Mow May campaign is back. Take action for nature by putting the lawnmower away and letting the wildflowers bloom 🌸

Even the smallest grassy patch can make a huge difference for our wildlife, including our bumblebees 🐝

Found out more 👉 https://ow.ly/b31m50RjBII

Plantlife: saving wild plants