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A Walk in the Woods: What science is behind No Mow May?

Each spring it seems that there is a race for some folks to get their lawnmowers working on their lawns.

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This habit has unintended consequences that are negative ecologically. No Mow May is all about keeping the mowers in the garage or basement until June.

The early pollinator insects that emerge from hibernation in May require a large amount of nectar from flowers to flourish. If we mow off early spring flowering plants in our lawns, such as clover, violets, dandelions, and creeping Charlie, it is a large loss to pollinator species.

According to scienceinsights.org there is research evidence available that shows how much not mowing lawns for several weeks can help pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths.

One of the most common and brightest lawn flowers – the dandelion, also seems to be the most despised by some people. They are also surprisingly important.

One study determined they produce nine per cent of a lawn’s total pollen and 37 per cent of its nectar sugar. That makes them one of the single most valuable food sources in a typical yard during early spring. When they are mowed off weekly, that food source disappears.

The nectar payoff builds over time. A study........

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