Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel upset about post on local fb group

131 replies

Welshmum2010 · 03/05/2026 15:40

I live in a fairly small village where people are super nosey but I keep myself to myself. Recently I chose to participate in no mow may (I did start a bit early) where you don’t mow your lawn to encourage wild flowers and bees / butterflies. I have also build a small hedgehog shelter.

today some busybody from down my road has posted on the local fb group about people needing to mow their lawns short and not have any wood in the garden as unsightly and attracts pests and rats. Now I know this is aimed at me and I feel upset.

i don’t want to mow it but they’ve got all their cronies making comments as well. I’ve got a friend coming to mow the lawn now in a few days as I can’t face the drama. We can leave a few patches where the lovely wild flowers are.

OP posts:
Delatron · 03/05/2026 16:38

It is only the 3rd May so you’re not really doing no mow May you just didn’t mow your lawn for the whole of April. Maybe that is what is confusing.

Agree that it’s none of their business but you need to own it.

I think keeping wilder areas in the garden but the lawn tidy is a better idea.

Hopeful2go · 03/05/2026 16:37

Tableforjoan · 03/05/2026 16:33

Mow most of it and grow a proper little dedicated area. Pop a little sign up about pollinators

I’m tempted to put up a notice saying “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” on ours.

FantasyFoodhall · 03/05/2026 16:35

Is it just quite long with wildflowers and insects, or is it a mad tangled jungle with bins and a sofa marooned somewhere in it? If the latter, cut it because it will have rats in it. If the former, carry on. Your neighbour will probably stop thinking about it as soon as someone forgets to bring in their bin 30 seconds after it’s been emptied.

MaidOfSteel · 03/05/2026 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ColdAsAWitches · 03/05/2026 16:34

plims · 03/05/2026 16:11

Why do you think it’s always women’s name which are used in that way?

Show quote history

Why do you think it's only women's names used like this? Have you never heard anyone called a Dick before?

Tableforjoan · 03/05/2026 16:33

Mow most of it and grow a proper little dedicated area. Pop a little sign up about pollinators

MyDandyUmberDuck · 03/05/2026 16:32

I think no mow May is a bit weird as you encourage the wildlife in then destroy it the next month. 🤷‍♀️ Better to have year round wildlife areas within the garden.

Needmorelego · 03/05/2026 16:31

My local council did "no mow may" a couple of years ago on the communal grass outside our block of flats.
The block then had a mouse invasion and the council then had to fix that.
They haven't done "no mow may" since and no mice again either.
To be honest it sounds like the Facebook post had a point (encouraging rats etc).
Rather than getting huffy about it maybe do some research about the best and safe way to grow wild plants.

Harhar · 03/05/2026 16:28

I’d probably post ‘perhaps the people whose gardens you’ve seen are taking part in no mow may, like me’ and add a link.

LassiKopiano24 · 03/05/2026 16:26

MabelRoyds · 03/05/2026 16:23

Carry On LassiKopiano24?

Show quote history

Fanny is used as a name for a Vagina. Some people also use Minnie.

KimberleyMilkado · 03/05/2026 16:25

When did you last mow the grass? Why do you need a friend to mow it?

Blorengia · 03/05/2026 16:25

Can we move past all the indignant posts re the use of "Karen" and get to the matter in hand?
Post this on the thread on your community group:
"I'm SO delighted to be taking part in No Mow May, it's a wonderful initiative to help wildlife. I've had a hedgehog checking out my hedgehog box, a lovely Brimstone butterfly was feeding on my (whatever) flowers and I've noticed far more insects in general. I'm so pleased with the results that I've decided to continue with No Mow June and even July when I'll be getting in some bare-chested hunk (think Ross Poldark) to scythe it all down when it gets to 4ft high."

MabelRoyds · 03/05/2026 16:23

LassiKopiano24 · 03/05/2026 16:17

Least its better than being called Fanny

Show quote history

Carry On LassiKopiano24?

Superhansrantowindsor · 03/05/2026 16:23

You are being unreasonable to let other people bother you in this way. You are an adult. Just ignore them.

GardenCovent · 03/05/2026 16:23

FinchiePink · 03/05/2026 16:01

I'm old and ugly enough to remember when "Wendy" was the choice of insult on MN. So give over with all the sniping about "Karen".

Honestly I'd just mow the lawn but then not mow it for the rest of the month - you're still basically doing no-mow May.

God yes, the “you’ve been Wendied” posts

FinchiePink · 03/05/2026 16:22

TheGardenRose · 03/05/2026 16:14

If it was your name, that your parents lovingly chose for you, you would think differently. Empathy is lacking with you.

Show quote history

One of those two is actually my name. I didn't care then and I don't care now. What someone I don't know says about someone else I don't know on the internet has precisely zero bearing on my life.

TheGardenPond · 03/05/2026 16:22

I think “Wendy” used to used on MN to refer to a certain type of new friend who you introduced to your old friends and then the “Wendy” would take up with your old friends and leave you out/ behind. I’ll see if I can research that.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 03/05/2026 16:22

So when did you last cut it ?
as we are only 3 days into no mow may - did you cut it in April or March or not yet cut it this year
and as for ' wild flowers ' you mean weeds

so the local Facebook group is upset about an overgrown front garden with weeds, in their tidy respectable village...

Flowersforyourchocolateprettyplease · 03/05/2026 16:20

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

She's corrected it, so move on.

Don't live your life based on FB comments OP.

Helpwithdivorce · 03/05/2026 16:20

I’d not mow it for the rest of the year because no fucker tells me what to do

LassiKopiano24 · 03/05/2026 16:17

TheGardenRose · 03/05/2026 16:14

If it was your name, that your parents lovingly chose for you, you would think differently. Empathy is lacking with you.

Show quote history

Least its better than being called Fanny

74username74 · 03/05/2026 16:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MyDeftDuck · 03/05/2026 16:15

We hardly cut our grass……it’s a path to the greenhouse, we walk on it to hand out the laundry, we have several fruit trees growing in it as well as a raised bed for vegetables. The footfall keeps the main parts short and the edges look fabulous with wild flowers. I don’t care two hoots if our grass offends my neighbours - she’s a stuck up prissy cow anyway so all the more reason to let ours go wild 💪💪

TheGardenRose · 03/05/2026 16:14

FinchiePink · 03/05/2026 16:01

I'm old and ugly enough to remember when "Wendy" was the choice of insult on MN. So give over with all the sniping about "Karen".

Honestly I'd just mow the lawn but then not mow it for the rest of the month - you're still basically doing no-mow May.

If it was your name, that your parents lovingly chose for you, you would think differently. Empathy is lacking with you.