It ’s that clock time of twelvemonth when lawnmowers come out of hibernation . You may be hauling yours out of the garage as I write this . But in a growing number of communities , the mowers are still lying about doing nothing . Why ? Because it ’s “ No Mow May ” in these places , but it ’s not about laziness ; it ’s to provide forage for pollinator , in particular during the early part of the growing season .
While turfgrass does not put up much of anything for pollinators , most lawn harbor flowering weeds that aboriginal bees and other pollinators need . Yes , widow’s weeds like dandelions supply all important pollinator intellectual nourishment — nectar and pollen — too soon in the season when flowering plants are in short supply . And because human activities like growth and intensive agriculture have boil down the provision of pollinator alimentation , we humans must do all we can to remedy that shortfall . After all , as any veggie nurseryman get laid , our own nutrition depends to a declamatory extent on pollinator servicing . To learn more about pollinator nutrition , see articles atPenn State ’s Center for Pollinator Research .
So go away lawn weeds to flower is one way we can all do our part . And that ’s how the No Mow May cause was launched . It started in the United Kingdom , and jumped the pool in 2020 to Appleton , Wisconsin , at the prodding of two local professors , Dr. Israel Del Toro and Dr. Relena Ribbons . In its first yr , 435 Appleton residents signal up to participate in No Mow May .
Professors Del Toro and Ribbons then proceeded to gather data on the impingement of the first No Mow May in 2020 . The result ? Their research showed that the No Mow lawnshadfive times the numeral of bees and three time the bee speciesas nearby mown areas in town parkland . By 2021 , a dozen communities across Wisconsin had take up No Mow May , and before long the movement had been taken up by communities in Iowa , Minnesota , Illinois , and Montana .
There ’s dozens more good science to support the No Mow May campaigns . The scientist atPenn State ’s Pollinator Research Centerurge us all to adopt a “ lazy lawn lawn mower ” approachto our yards . The bug-hunter define this overture as follows :
“ Mow your lawn less frequently or increase lawn mower height to sustain more low - flower plants in your lawn . Flowers that grow in lawns , such as dandelion , bird’s - animal foot medick and clover supply underrated , but very important , pollen and nectar resource for scrounge bees . ”
— Penn State Entomology / Pollinators / What Can I Do ?
While one researcher concluded that an every - two - week mowing schedule is idealistic for bees , No Mow May / Bee City USA./Xerces Society , experts at the University of Vermont say that “ ideally , pout for pollinator wellness would be done only in the capitulation or wintertime , ” but simplydelaying spring mowinggives flower weed time to bloom and ply former season food for pollinators . Of of course , spring generally arrives to begin with in central Virginia than in the midwestern United States , so a “ No Mow April ” would be more apropos in our region . That ’s the name of thecampaign in College Park , Maryland , which set in motion for the first time this spring .
Howyou mowcan subject to pollinator , too .
“ The one - third convention is a secure guide : do not mow more than one - third of the flora at one fourth dimension to a superlative between 3.5 and 4 inches to ensure that blossom plant endure and produce flowers to sustain pollinators . ”
— Bee Lawn Brochure / Penn StateCenter for Pollinator Research
Since a sizeable , well - mown lawn may be require by local ordinances or HOA rules , most No - lawn mower have found it helpful to put up a sign alerting neighbour to the purpose of their “ lazy lawn lawn mower ” plan of attack . Most community of interests have enacted regulation authorizing participant to leave lawn un - mown for the month .
There are more way to help our pollinator . One of the professors who help oneself launch No Mow May , urges us all to do precisely that :
“ The enterprisingness is only a starting compass point for bee conservation . “ What you did for one month , that ’s cool , that helps , ” Dr. Del Toro said . “ Butwhat are you give out to do the rest of the summertime , or the eternal rest of the year , to make certain that our pollinators are protected ? ”
– “ Stowing Mowers , Pleasing Bees,”NY Times
Here ’s one option : a “ bee lawn ” — and no , I ’m not making this up . If you on purpose cultivate flowering plants in your turfgrass , you ’ll have a “ bee lawn . ” You may not be fain to advance dandelion , but there are some attractive , low - growing , flowering industrial plant that allow pollinator food . grant to expert at the Minnesota Extension , “ Dutch white-hot clover ( genus Trifolium repens ) , ego heal ( Prunella vulgaris ) , and creep thyme ( Thymus praecoxssp.arcticus ; formerlyThymus serpyllum)are three specie that benefit pollinator and will flower in a mop lawn . White clover offers the additional benefit of add nitrogen to the soil , plus it tolerates drouth . For more about bee lawns and how to turn yours into one , seePlanting and Maintaining a Bee Lawn / Minn. Ext.and thisBee Lawn video recording , Univ . Minn ..
at last , educate yourself about bee decline and apportion your knowledge with neighbors and friends . I recommend readingFactors contribute to Bee Decline / Utah State Extension . Bees are vital to our food for thought security , so we all take to know why they are jeopardize and how to protect them .
source :
FEATURED PHOTO : No Mow May sign designed by Andrew Burandt,ajbshoeless@gmail.com , adviser for theVillage of Cross Plains No Mow May Campaign .
Mowing for Pollinators , Univ . of Vermont Extension(2022 )
No Mow May / Bee City USA./Xerces Society .
Anne Readel , “ Stowing Mowers , Pleasing Bees,”NY Times
Bees , Bugs & Blooms – A pollinator trial / Penn State Dept . of Entomology
Utah State Extension.usu.edu/factors-contributing-to-bee-decline
Univ . Kentucky/.uky.edu / cgi / Dwarf white clover in lawn backing pollinator et aluminum
Green Bay Botanical Garden / gbbg.org/2020/06 / no - mow - may - benefits - pollinators - bees/
College Park Md.gov/No-Mow April
