The Dark Side Of No Mow May: Protecting Your Lawn And Pollinators

If you were looking forward to taking the entire month of May off from mowing your lawn in Michigan, thinking that you would be doing pollinators a favor, think again. According to North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension and Ag Research, the original study that prompted the birth of No Mow May was retracted due to “several potential inconsistencies in data handling and reporting.”

RELATED: Michigan's May Forecast Calls for Warm Temps and Heavy Rain

Esther E. McGinnis, a Horticulturist with NDSU, was quick to point out that scientific journals rarely retract studies. She went on to say that the impact of No Mow May in June may very well harm an ecosystem that is home to and a food source for thousands of Michigan creatures: your lawn.

Alternatives to No Mow May

Assuming you don't live in a municipality or are a part of a homeowners association that polices grass length. If you skip cutting your grass for the entire month of May in Michigan, a month the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts will have heavy rain (2 inches above the average), your grass could reach 15 inches or more in length. How are you going to cut it come June?

Equipment aside, unless you want to damage or kill your entire lawn, you should never cut more than 1/3 of its length. At 15 inches long, you'll only be able to cut it down to 10 inches if you don't want a brown, burnt lawn heading into the drier months of summer.

No Mow May Might Not Help, But This Will

If you have a large area of property that you have left completely untouched or cultivated a pollinator garden, you will make an impact. You're providing bees and other pollinators with exactly what they need. BobVilla.com recommends reducing your lawn by 2 to 25 percent to accomplish this.

RELATED: Slow Your Mow: Should Michigan Embrace A 'Slow Mow Summer'?

You can also plant a rooftop, window, patio, or balcony pollinator garden if you're space is limited or you live in an apartment. If you have a lawn, consider waiting longer in between trimmings, just be sure to keep the 1/3 length rule in mind.