The Reality Of No Mow May
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
The Reality of No Mow May
Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
You may have seen the proclamation to participate in “No Mow May.” This is an effort to increase the number of flowering plants in your yard to provide more food for pollinators during the month of May. The strategy is simple. Allow your lawn to grow naturally for this month. Less mowing and maintenance plus more food for pollinators… seems like a win-win! The images of this effort often include a beautiful grassy meadow of wildflowers. However, is this the reality?! Let’s explore this topic.
First, it’s important to recognize that lawns are important to bees. Research has shown there are 37 species of bees, including several rare and declining native bumble bees, that forage on lawn weeds. In urban areas, lawn weeds, including clover and dandelions, are important to sustain urban bee populations and serve as stepping stones to connect urban bees to natural habitats. However, there are many lawn care practices that can be harmful to bees, including the use of pesticides, especially insecticides.
The concept of No Mow May was started by a UK-based organization called Plantlife and has gained traction in the United States in recent years. Spring is an important time for pollinators when they are coming out of dormancy. However, food can sometimes be limited at this time, especially in urban areas. At first glance, it might seem like a great idea; an easy way to give back to nature and reduce your labor for a month. However, there are many unintended consequences of No Mow May.
May is a time of fast growth for Montana’s cool-season lawns. Grass can easily grow a foot or more during May. Conventional lawnmowers are not designed to manage this much grass. It’s hard on the mower and its hard on the grass because you are removing a majority of the leaf area. It will take the grass much longer to recover than mowing on a regular basis. Cutting off too much leaf area will stress out the plants, deplete root reserves, and leave it patchier and more susceptible to weeds. Additionally, as the grass continues to grow, it will likely grow much taller than the flowering plants, making it harder for the bees to access them.
No Mow May can encourage the growth of more weeds and invasive plants. Weeds are quick to take advantage and if a lawn isn’t mowed, then it can promote the growth of weeds that normally won’t grow in lawns because they don’t tolerate mowing. An example of this is woody plants like Siberian elm. It’s important to remember that lawns are not natural spaces. Nearly all lawn grass species are non-native grasses that take time to manage and care for. When you stop caring for your lawn, it invites other non-native species to enter and becomes a collection of plants that are often unwanted.
There are better ways to encourage and support pollinators rather than participating in No Mow May. One alternative is ‘Mow Less May.” Mowing less frequently can provide a good balance of maintaining turfgrass health and allow flowering plants more time to bloom. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use is beneficial to pollinators. If you do use pesticides in the lawn, mow it immediately before using them so there are no flowering plants to attract pollinators. Also, look at alternative or lower-impact pesticides.
Bee lawns, also increasing in popularity, utilize a mix of species of turfgrass and flowers to enhance pollinator habitats. Examples of flower options are Dutch white clover, creeping thyme, self-heal and common violet.
Groundcovers are also increasing in popularity. Groundcovers are replacements for conventional turfgrass. You may not want to replace the entire lawn, but there may be sections of your landscape that are well-suited for alternative groundcover. Examples include microclover, creeping thyme, carpet bugle, creeping buttercup and goldmoss sedum. Many of these are flowering plants that offer food for pollinators. Do research before switching to a groundcover to make sure you pick the best one for the habitat and your lawn goals.
Simply adding a pollinator garden to your landscape is also an easy way to provide food for bees and other pollinators. When designed correctly, it can support blooming flowers from April to October. For lawn or gardening questions, contact the MSU Extension Office in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242 or allison.kosto@montana.edu.
