Why No Mow Might Doesn’t Reduce It—And What You Can Do As an alternative — Empress of Filth
It’s a catchy concept that’s attracted a whole lot of gardeners, however No Mow Might isn’t one of the best ways to assist pollinators. Discover out what gardeners can do as a substitute to help bees and the ecosystem all year-round.
Need to know the key to a thriving backyard? Develop a various choice of vegetation.
Rethinking No Mow Might
As spring approaches annually in elements of the northern hemisphere, the annual buzz (pun supposed) round No Mow Might begins once more. The thought behind the marketing campaign is easy: by holding off on mowing our lawns for the month of Might, we permit early flowers—like dandelions, that are often mowed down—to bloom and supply nectar and pollen for bees and different pollinators.
If Might doesn’t fairly line up along with your native local weather, you would adapt the idea to a unique early spring month. However the identify “No Mow Might” has caught.
It’s a memorable soundbite rooted in good intentions, however for these of us in Canada and United States, it’s unlikely to ship the ecological advantages we’re hoping for.
The Roots of No Mow Might
No Mow Might started in 2020 as a marketing campaign by Plantlife, a UK conservation group targeted on wild vegetation and fungi. It was impressed by their earlier “Each Flower Counts” mission, the place folks surveyed 1m x 1m sections of garden to rely the flowers rising there.
The thought was that, with meadows and pastures disappearing, even the standard garden might grow to be a mini-habitat for pollinators—if given the prospect.
Plantlife’s early information was promising: the typical UK garden, left unmowed, might produce sufficient nectar sugar to help over 1,000 honeybees per day. Clover and dandelions topped the checklist of nectar-producing flowers.
No Mow Might shortly unfold past the UK. In Appleton, Wisconsin, metropolis council authorized an area model of the initiative in 2020. Two college professors and a staff of volunteers carried out a examine on bee populations in the course of the month. The preliminary outcomes appeared nice—extra bees and extra bee species on the unmowed lawns.
However the examine was later debunked. A bee knowledgeable from the College of Minnesota identified that among the species reported couldn’t probably have been there in Might. It took over two years, however the paper was ultimately retracted—lengthy after it had already been cited broadly in media and different analysis.
That mentioned, there’s nonetheless strong proof from different research that frequent, shut mowing can hurt bugs, soil life, and biodiversity. Most of these research didn’t concentrate on residential lawns, and virtually none explored the impression of merely pausing mowing for just a few weeks. However there’s sufficient to counsel that not mowing for a month might supply a minimum of some profit.
So, What Really Occurs If You Don’t Mow?
In case you cease mowing for a month, you’ll doubtless see some flowers seem—largely those we often name weeds. Dandelions would be the standout, joined by clover and possibly just a few others. These flowers do supply nectar and pollen, which is one thing a freshly mowed garden can’t match.
However does that imply you’re “saving the bees”?
Not fairly.
Dandelions are certainly an early meals supply for pollinators—however they’re removed from the one one, actually not the primary of the season, and so they’re not one of the best.
Dandelion pollen, specifically, lacks key vitamins. Bees don’t do properly if it’s all they’ve. Fortunately, there are often different pollen sources out there to fill within the gaps.
The actual problem is the idea that in case you cease mowing, you’ll get a lush, wildflower-filled meadow. In some areas, possibly. In most locations, you’ll simply find yourself with lengthy grass and a whole lot of dandelions—or, worse, creeping charlie. It received’t appear to be a meadow. It’ll appear to be a yard nobody’s taken care of.
And when the month is over, mowing that tall grass can stress each your garden and garden mower. Reducing off greater than a 3rd of a plant without delay—whether or not it’s a shrub or your grass—may cause injury. Your garden might bounce again, but it surely received’t be thrilled.
The Actual Challenge with No Mow Might
No Mow Might would possibly ship a little bit little bit of nectar and pollen to native pollinators. You’ll save a while, and in case you use a gasoline mower or pesticides, taking a break from these is an effective factor.
However then what?
That’s the issue. The advantages are short-lived. A number of further flowers in Might received’t help bees and butterflies by means of the remainder of the season.
And the clear up after Might might cancel out any gas financial savings.
For gardeners, that is the place No Mow Might falls brief—as a result of we will achieve this significantly better.
Higher Than No Mow Might
In case you’re already planting issues in your backyard, you possibly can select a various choice of vegetation that help wildlife by providing pollen, nectar, shelter, and habitat all yr lengthy—not only for just a few weeks.
Search for an assortment of native or well-adapted vegetation that present blooms from early spring to fall. Native conservation companies and the North American Native Plant Society are useful sources.
Even non-gardeners might help by mowing much less usually and with the mower blade set increased. Each of these small modifications can cut back air pollution and enhance biodiversity—most likely minimally, however higher than nothing. And naturally, ditch the pesticides.
Need to go a step additional?
Flip a part of your garden right into a pollinator backyard. This has tricks to heat reluctant neighbors to the thought.
We’ve been engaged on all these items for a number of years now. We’ve eliminated a majority of our garden and stopped pointless seasonal “clear up.” That, together with beginning a whole lot of native vegetation from seed, has lowered the work load and elevated the pure magnificence and wildlife.
Even in case you’re not able to take out your garden, you possibly can nonetheless select vegetation to your backyard which are way more helpful than just a few dandelions in Might.
Within the Finish
The precept behind No Mow Might is true: flowers are higher than a mowed garden for pollinators. Even widespread weeds can supply some worth.
If we actually wish to help pollinators, we’ve got to suppose past one month—and past dandelions. Gardeners are way more inventive than merely parking the mower for just a few weeks.
No Mow Might has helped increase consciousness, however in follow, it’s solely a small step. Now we have the instruments, the information, and the creativity to go a lot additional.
Assets
Native Vegetation
E-book
A Backyard For The Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla
A Backyard for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee supplies all the data gardeners must take motion to help and defend pollinators, by creating habitat in yards and group areas, on balconies and boulevards, in all places!
Hear
~Melissa the Empress of Filth ♛
