The month of May was designated by an environmentally conscious group of citizen scientists, in the United Kingdom, as No Mow May. This novel idea has spread, slowly, into the United States. There is much resistance to the idea by the uneducated public.
Allowing grass and weeds to grow helps to provide essential food (pollen and nectar) for many bee species and other insects as they emerge from hibernation. The practice of not mowing in May has helped to greatly increase the number of species and the diversity of bees and other insects. This in turn brings more songbirds, both resident and migratory, that rely on insects for raising their hatchlings. The taller grass also provides cover for snakes and rodents that provide food for the larger raptors. Bats, too, rely on insects and many of them help pollinate flowers later in the season.
Grasses are able to grow stronger, deeper root systems when they are allowed to grow. This allows the grass to better withstand drought later in the season when temperatures are soaring. A barrier strip can be mowed around your house if you wish, or you can mow paths where you generally walk; but leaving the grass and weeds unmowed for the month of May will help the entire ecosystem in your yard to get off to a good start for the summer season.
Many people live in subdivisions that have strict rules, which is unfortunate. The board of directors for HOA’s are generally totally ignorant about the harm they cause with regular applications of herbicides, insecticides, and the profuse use of chemically derived fertilizers. Thousands of butterflies and beneficial insects have disappeared from these “sterile” environments.
Most people do not want to hear what they do not want to hear. Their minds cannot be changed until they are ready to change. I have learned to keep quiet about my commitment to 100% organic, sustainable gardening. Saving, maintaining, and creating wildlife habitats is my passion. If I lead by example, perhaps a few will become curious and eventually change their ways. My concern is, will enough people awaken to the damage they have done, before it is too late?
