The “No Mow May” pollinator protection campaign began in England two decades ago but became a viral “buzz” across the U.S. during those stay-at-home pandemic years. Its goals are admirable: cease mowing lawns during the month of May to provide emerging insect pollinators enough resources to get them through lean times.
A March 2024 paper in Insect Conservation and Diversity backs this up. Early spring resource gaps in pollen or nectar are a major limitation for insects like bumblebees, especially at cool temperatures. Those early blooms of dandelions, violets, forget-me-nots, chickweeds, periwinkle and henbit at ground level provide greatly needed fuel for pollinators and other insects. As the thinking goes, by June the temperature warms and lilacs, cherry and other trees come in bloom to carry the bees into the summer.
Yet several ongoing analyses of the No Mow May protocol now suggest that simply stopping mowing and restarting after Memorial Day is not the best strategy. One of the major criticisms of a month-long stoppage of mowing, voiced by turf managers, is that when mowing restarts, it is stressful on landscaped grass cover. In manicured lawns with unbroken stretches of grasses, few other plants may be available to provide nectar sources anyway. Is it a good idea to tempt insects into visiting your lawn in May to then suddenly remove the resource in June? Plus, what is so magic about 30 days? Can we do better?
A more nuanced and ecologically sound strategy is being developed by a variety of state agencies, universities and conservation groups. This strategy, also supported by the Otsego County Conservation Association, recommends shifting all-grass lawns toward low-mow options, either in area or frequency. A 2018 study spearheaded by the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation revealed that a 3-week cycle of mowing at a 3-inch height was optimal for maintaining low flowering plants in suburban lawns. Bee City, a promoter of No Mow May, now suggests giving dandelion, clover and other lawn “weeds” a couple weeks to flower — either in April or May, for two, three or four weeks — whatever works in your location. That is, rather than watching the calendar, watch the pollinators in your own front yard.
I have several recommendations for homeowners that still allow for some traditional lawn, but that will also feed pollinators, increase bird diversity, protect clean water, and amuse you all summer:
• First, stop thinking of insects and weeds as enemies. Do you like birds? The majority of local songbirds feed their young nestlings on insects. As you increase lawn diversity, you also support the diversity of watchable insects and, ultimately, the birds.
• Reduce or eliminate herbicides and pesticides in your lawn. Not only will this protect local insect populations, but it also supports clean water downstream. Careless use and overuse of lawn chemicals are a significant contributor to water pollution. Often, it is the many homeowners and not the few farmers that are the greater source of these chemicals in our streams.
• Save patches of “low mow” or “no mow” areas year-round. Taller grasses support fireflies. Leafy mulch and rotting logs provide homes for bumblebees and worms. While you may choose to mow the street-facing curb strip, perhaps leave pockets of your backyard as habitat or plant perennials.
• Plant flowers that appeal to pollinators, especially low-maintenance native species favored by native insects. My mown lawn has low height violets, clover, spring beauty, and forget-me-nots blooming every May. Along my drive I leave a few milkweeds for the monarch butterfly. With the heavy deer pressure in Oneonta, I rely on native mints and asters around my foundation.
• Finally, reduce mowing this May. Even if you only participate for two or three weeks, you can proudly display a “No Mow May” promotional sign, available through OCCA and other outlets. This informs passers-by that your unmown areas are set aside for good reason. Whether or not you personally manage a lawn, use May to respect the pollinators who support us.