The Problem with "No Mow May"

This time of year, the “no mow may” movement starts circulating around the gardening community. Theoretically, taking a break from mowing our lawns was a way to increase nectar resources for our pollinators. The lack of weekly mowing would allow the “weeds” to grow taller and flower, creating fodder for bees.

Unfortunately, the reality is a far different story:

• Not maintaining your lawn reduces curb appeal - drawing the ire of the neighborhood and possibly code enforcement

• Most lawn weeds are not native species, allowing them to flower and set seed only helps in their proliferation in our environment
  

• Taller lawn and vegetation may very well attract wildlife, such as Box Turtles, Amphibians, Snakes, and nesting Rabbits, which then risk severe injury or death once the mowers start up again in June
  

• Good lawn maintenance dictates to never mow more than ⅓ of the height of your lawn - the return of mowers in June will not only shock your lawn during a month where temperatures are climbing, but also allow non-native weeds to further infiltrate your now stressed lawn

To truly support wildlife, ecologically-sterile lawns should be converted into native lawn alternatives such as meadows and gardens.

A front yard meadow rich with diversity. Sedges, Purple Love Grass, Violets, Catchfly, Wild Strawberry, Pussytoes, Yarrow and more intermingle to form a meadow plant community.

Check out some of our favorite choices for Native Lawn Alternatives and take advantage of our Spring Savings Landscape Plug Sale, as well as the multiple Rebate Programs being offered locally.