I just figured out No Mow May and was wondering what it is? No Mow May is a campaign to encourage people not to mow their lawns in May – and mow less in the summer. The reason? To help wildflowers and pollinating insects when both are in severe decline.
Participating may mean not mowing all of the lawn that is part of your backyard landscaping ideas, or just leaving a small area unmown, but either way the goal is to get flowers blooming and provide nectar for pollinators.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about No Mow May here, so you can decide if attending is right for you.
No Mow May: What is it?
Set up by British conservation organization Plantlife (opens in new tab) In 2019, No Mow May saw increased participation in the US.
While significant habitat loss has occurred in both the UK and North America over time, lawns offer the potential to become important nectar sources, says the charity.
But that means giving plants like clover, dandelions, and self-healing plants a chance to grow and provide nectar for pollinators by choosing not to use the lawn mower in the month of May.
How to participate in No Mow May
To participate in No Mow May, leave the lawn unmown. “Wildflowers, which provide nectar and pollen for honeybees, will grow and bloom if we don’t mow them before they bloom,” says Todd Hardie, considered the bee guru of the North and a consultant for Vermont-based specialty food company Runamok (opens in new tab).
“This food is important for honey bees and all pollinating insects because they need this food for their families to increase populations early in the season. May is an ideal time not to mow a lawn as the grass has not yet reached the height it will reach later in the season.’
What happens after No Mow May
After the month of May is over, Plantlife recommends mowing your lawn again but doing a “mowhican” cut in gardens, with some lawns being cut once a month and others being left long and uncut. This gives “short grass” plants like daisies and white clover the opportunity to flower profusely and increase nectar production tenfold. Areas of longer uncut grass compliment the short turf as it welcomes a wider variety of flowers.’
How often to mow the lawn? Note that even if you plan to return to your usual lawn style after May, you will need to adjust your mowing regimen. “When it comes time to mow your lawn, you have to mow it in stages, which means you can’t go back to your old lawn in one cut from No Mow May,” says CEO and co-founder of Elite Patio Direct (opens in new tab) Granger McCollough. “Grass should not be cut more than a third of its length as cutting lower could kill your grass.”
What about weed ordinances?
Local ordinances or homeowners association guidelines may make participation in No Mow May potentially problematic. “Contact your city council, your health department, or other local officials,” recommends Bee City USA (opens in new tab), an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “Tell them what you’re doing, why, and start a conversation about how they can support natural landscapes in their community.”
However, depending on where you live, you may find that mowing is undesirable. “Here in Las Vegas, NV, year-round ‘no mowing’ is recommended,” says ASHS-certified horticulturist Michele Chambliss of Perennial Garden Consultants (opens in new tab). “In fact, due to the extreme drought in our area, the Southern Nevada Water District is encouraging homeowners to replace lawns with landscape plants and is offering a $3 per square foot rebate to those who take advantage of the incentive.”
Should you give up constant mowing?
You might want to give No Mow May a stimulus to showcase wildlife garden ideas, and garden designer Michele Chambliss sees the initiative as an opportunity to make changes. “I see this as a great opportunity to create a more interesting garden,” she says.
“We’re swapping ordinary lawns for plants that add a sense of space to our gardens. By using flowering shrubs and perennials we can create a colorful haven for pollinators and prized wildlife while using less water. In many areas without HOA restrictions, vegetable gardens replace the lawn and provide fresh organic produce and herbs.
“Consider how much peat grass is actually used in the home landscape,” she continues. “Family with children often appreciate this green space to play in, but in many gardens the green is only for decoration, especially in the front. Sometimes the lawn can be reduced, giving more space for planting beds. Both children and adults appreciate life – hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects – bring native perennials into their outdoor area; Life that a lawn just doesn’t attract.’
Also consider a lawn with clover. “Whenever we plant a peatgrass lawn, we buy bags of perennial legumes, mainly white clover or white clover, to mix in with the peatgrass seeds. These flowers add a lot of beauty to a lawn,” says Todd Hardie.
Am I not allowed to mow the lawn in May?
Not mowing the lawn in May can be very beneficial for native flowers and pollinators. However, be aware of local regulations. Bee City USA (opens in new tab) recommends strategies for engaging with local officials and educating neighbors to avoid breaking regulations.
According to Bee City USA, even not mowing can make your lawn more drought-resistant and conserve water.
What are the benefits of No Mow May?
No Mow May has a variety of benefits. It gives flowers a chance to bloom, which supports pollinators.
“Not only plants and pollinators benefit from this – we do too,” says Felicity Harris, head of investments at Plantlife. “Less mowing gives garden lovers more time to relax and reconnect with nature. Hours previously spent mowing can be used to spend time with others to build a wildlife pond, insect hotel or reptile sanctuary.”