What is the Essential Point of No Mow May?
“No Mow May” is believed to be about more than just not mowing your lawn for a month. The idea behind the movement is to make space for valuable pollinators and small creatures. An organization committed to preserving pollinators, Bee City USA, spoke on the value of No Mow May on its website. Initially, with fertilizers, chemical treatments, weeding, mowing and more, lawns provide little benefit to wildlife and can often be actively harmful.
Furthermore, it appears to be a hot topic, as organizations have taken “strongly encouraged” to a new level this year, even providing as much detail reasoning. Bee City USA believes that with longer grass it will protect insects like bees, butterflies, beetles, etc. As well as going to the extent as giving an argument for those who have neighbors concerned.
But here is a question, is there a safe way for neighbors who have severe allergies? Probably not an ideal one, about a quarter if the people in the U.S. have allergies. Many takes medication for it, some even get month injections because of how bad they are. So it is a great idea to have ‘no mow may’ so encouraged?
What are Some of the Things Posted on the Website?
Bee City recommends sustaining a mowed buffer near houses and/or high-traffic areas; specifically, in tick-heavy regions. Furthermore, they reminded readers that ticks prefer shade, meaning that bark, gravel or wood mulch borders about three feet in width between sunny lawns and shady forested areas can help lower numbers.
By leaving your lawn alone experts say these pollinators are given a larger food supply and a better habitat. Subsequently, it’s encouraged to let your lawn grow a little longer than usual. The city is very clear that it should not overflow onto the sidewalk or become a hazard for pedestrians.
What Do Others Have to Say About ‘No Mow May’?
Here is a statement given about this subject:
“The city is not going to enforce our weed ordinance for the month of May so if it gets taller than 10 inches we’re not going to come tell you, ‘you have to mow it,'” said Bangor Planning Officer Anja Collette.
This primarily started out of a concern for bees because when bees initially come out in the spring and in our more northern climates mainly around late April to May there’s not a lot of flowers out there for them.
Along with many other statements from other professionals, many encouraging highly on “No Mow May” for this year. But why should people with severe allergies suffer at the hands of peoples actions? Many illnesses can happen, along with other major issues.
Just be mindful of our surroundings and our neighbors, and make sure the right choice is being made.
Others Who Strongly Encourage ‘No Mow May’
Originally, the initiative was started in the United Kingdom by the organization called Plantlife in 2019. Since then the “No Mow May” initiative has taken hold in the United States. In 2020, Appleton, Wisconsin residents were excited to join the strongly encouraged “No Mow May” initiative. They convinced their City Council to suspend their weed ordinance for the month of May. That year over 435 residents participated in the program. Since then, they have had more successful years.
Last year, more than 70 towns across the U.S. joined in the effort to save the bees and other wildlife that depend on the nectar and nutrients from flowers and grass.
By Key Robertson
Sources:
Fox 22: Bangor encourages residents to participate in No Mow May
WLNS: ‘No Mow May’ begins on Wednesday
Citizens Times: No Mow May; Why should I stop mowing for a month?
Featured Image Courtesy of Robert Wallace’s Flickr Page Creative – Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Matt Cornock’s Flickr Page Creative – Commons License
Second Inset Image by Russ Namitz, BLM Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management’s Flickr Page Creative – Commons License
