“Leaving your lawns to restore themselves to how they want to naturally function is beautiful. It’s good. It caters to our environment,” says Jason Sproules, manager of urban waters programs. The concept behind it is at the center of the No Mow May movement, and it’s not just a clever title it’s an invitation to greener homeowners. By putting away the lawnmower, you’re saving effort and time, but also habitat for pollinators and water.
The practice has spread far beyond the month of May with initiatives like “Let It Bloom June” and “Leave the Leaves” in autumn. The intention is to foster low-mowing all year round so that native flowers can flower. This habit can yield amazing environmental paybacks, including the defense of drinking water and the support of biodiversity in our own backyards. Lawn irrigation outside the home uses over 30% of a residence’s total water use, which can be cut in half in dry climates, the EPA states. By reducing mowing, we allow more deeply rooted native grasses and flowers to aerate hard-pressed soil and improve drainage.
Amanda Beltranmini Healen of Nashville has really gotten behind this revolution. Her lawn is a wildlife haven, with knee-high native grasses and wildflowers. Birds nest under her carport, and she frequently sees fawns in the safety of the tall grasses. “I have a lot of insects and bugs and that’s protein, so the birds and the bird’s nests are everywhere,” she says. The morning and evening are filled with a cacophony of bird calls, especially when spring changes the seasons.
The movement has critics, though. Some think that No Mow May may inadvertently encourage the spread of invasive species. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture extension specialist in Maryland, recommends mowing every fortnight and planting with flowering plants that produce pollen throughout the year to gain the greatest benefit without fear of complaint or penalty. Bee City USA clarifies that the presence of weeds in a garden is not always bee-friendly. Low-protein pollen dandelions, for example, are of little use to bees. Instead, adding a mix of flowering plants like creeping thyme and white clover will create a more stable habitat.
Less mowing has advantages besides pollinators. Taller grass equates to deeper roots, which retain water and make lawns more drought-resistant. It means fewer air and noise emissions from gas trimmers and lawn mowers as well. And it’s a huge cost- and time-saver. So why not enjoy it to the maximum extent possible by planting even more natives?
If you wish to make a change, start small. You could cut back the lawn and replace it with native flowers. These flowers are not just valuable to pollinators as a source of food, but they provide habitat for wildlife in your area. The Xerces Society suggests using native species that will be blooming during the growing season, providing bees with a consistent source.
Remember, it’s not just about cutting less. It’s about having a healthy diverse ecosystem on your own lawn. By taking the initiative to stay away from or exclude pesticides from your lawn, you can protect the over 3,600 species of bees in the United States further. Engage with your community and city government to create pollinator-friendly landscapes. As the National Wildlife Federation has suggested, planting native vegetation on your property is the most effective way to encourage pollinators.
Finally, the No Mow May initiative is an entry point for discovering the ways in which we can better share our gardens with pollinators. It is all about making those small changes for a greener, more sustainable planet. So take a deep breath, put down the mower, and watch your garden burst into bloom as a teeming, buzzing wildlife oasis.
