No Mow May
Summary: Join the Movement, help the pollinators, don't mow for the month of May!
Description
Support our native pollinators; don't mow down their early spring source of pollen and nectar. Delayed mowing (No Mow May) gives wildflowers the opportunity to bloom, thereby providing bees and other pollinators with much needed sources of nutrition.
Deep Dive
In 2019 the UK charity Plantlife started the No Mow May and beyond movement with the objective to support native pollinators. Eliminating or reducing lawn mowing during the month of May (and beyond) allows early spring wildflowers to emerge and flower, thereby supporting native pollinators. Additional information can be found at Plantlife's website: Plantlife's No Mow May Movement.
Results summaries from studies examining the ramifications of reduced mowings can be found at the following website: Summaries of Published Studies of Conservation Benefits of Reduced Mowing - Bee City USA
If you want to go to the next stage, consider eliminating your lawn completely: Grow Beyond No Mow May: Options for Reducing Your Lawn - The National Wildlife Federation Blog (nwf.org)
Steps to Take
- Suspend mowing until June.
- Consider reducing the frequency of mowing through-out the growing season.
- Consider reducing the amount of lawn, replacing with native plantings or wildflowers.