No Mow May: 8 Reasons to Let Your Lawn Grow for a Month

No Mow May 8 Reasons to Let Your Lawn Grow for a Month 8 Reasons to Let Your Lawn Grow for a Month

1. You’ll get some beneficial spring color. 1. You’ll get some beneficial spring color. Dandelions , clover, and the common blue violet start to bloom in the spring and can add some helpful diversity to your lawn. Dandelions , clover, and the common blue violet start to bloom in the spring and can add some helpful diversity to your lawn.

2. Bees will get an early season boost. 2. Bees will get an early season boost. These early spring flowers help the local pollinator population at a time of year when nectar sources may be in short supply. These early spring flowers help the local pollinator population at a time of year when nectar sources may be in short supply.

3. You’ll create less pollution. 3. You’ll create less pollution. Lawn mowers—unless they're electric lawn mowers —use gasoline, which contributes to air pollution. Another key tenet of No Mow May is forgoing the use of fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides for the month. Lawn mowers—unless they're electric lawn mowers —use gasoline, which contributes to air pollution. Another key tenet of No Mow May is forgoing the use of fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides for the month.

4. You’ll save time and energy. 4. You’ll save time and energy. If you’re not spending your time mowing or spreading chemicals on your lawn in May, you’ll have more time to do other things. One thing you can do with your newfound spare time is to add some native plants to your yard. If you’re not spending your time mowing or spreading chemicals on your lawn in May, you’ll have more time to do other things. One thing you can do with your newfound spare time is to add some native plants to your yard.

5. Your lawn will be healthier. 5. Your lawn will be healthier. By reducing the frequency in which you mow, your lawn can become more resilient to drought. Plus, it won’t require as much watering. By reducing the frequency in which you mow, your lawn can become more resilient to drought. Plus, it won’t require as much watering.

6. You don’t need to go all in. 6. You don’t need to go all in. You can mow just an edge of your lawn so the grass length seems less overwhelming and will look less neglectful and more intentional than just not mowing altogether. You can mow just an edge of your lawn so the grass length seems less overwhelming and will look less neglectful and more intentional than just not mowing altogether.

7. Your lawn may teach you some things. 7. Your lawn may teach you some things. For instance, you may discover you like taller grass, and mow every three weeks instead of every week. For instance, you may discover you like taller grass, and mow every three weeks instead of every week.

8. In the end, you may decide to go grass-free. 8. In the end, you may decide to go grass-free. In place of your grass, consider alternatives such as native plants or prairie grasses—both of which help pollinators. In place of your grass, consider alternatives such as native plants or prairie grasses—both of which help pollinators.

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