Lawns, mowed short, give us space for dogs and kids to play.
They also keep our neighbors from making complaints to the town government or homeowners association.
But a closely-cropped lawn is a flower-free monoculture.
(It can even be bad for your grass.)
What is No Mow May?
Lawns have taken over areas that were once meadow, leaving pollinators with fewer flowers to feed on.
People should really be cultivating gardens and meadows,not just lawns, the argument goes.
No Mow May is a step toward that.
Is it actually good to stop mowing your grass in May?
According to most U.S.-based conservation organizations: no.
We cant pat ourselves on the back and say, Yay, we saved the bees.
Minimal environmental benefits aside, No Mow May can potentially harm your grass.
(That end-of-May cut isnt good for your mower, either.)
Longer grass keeps the soil moist, and the taller mowing height allows small flowers to bloom.
Plant native and beneficial flowers in your lawn, like clover,selfheal, and violets.
Grow a mini-meadow or wildflower gardenthat is separate from your lawn.
Grow other pollinator-friendly plantsbesides just the ones that grow in grass.
Shrubs, garden plants, and window boxes can all contribute.
That allows pollinators to visit the flowers, but stops those particular weeds from spreading.
