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Join us for a No Mow May yard sign painting party on
Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 from 1-3pm.
To sign up to participate and receive a FREE yard sign, click the link.
For more information, please email IPNAnomowmay@gmail.com
FAQs
What is No Mow May?
The effort started in the United Kingdom and has grown across North America and cities in the US. The goal of No Mow May is to pause mowing during the month of May, allowing flowers to bloom in your lawn to help early-season pollinators. Late winter and early spring are times when floral resources are often limited.
What are the rules for No Mow May?
The rules are simple: try not to mow your lawn for the first time until June 1. Let the grass grow, the roots go deep, and the grass go to seed. If you can’t make it to the end of May — no problem — make it as long as you can! And keep yourself distracted with other gardening tasks.
Will I get cited by the city for long grass?
No, the city has moved the effect date for tall grass enforcement until June 1, mostly because of programs such as these.
Can I mow my yard once at the end of April, and then skip the month of May?
Long story short, it’s beneficial to hold off on all mowing until June 1st. Any flowers that may come up in your yard provide a food source for pollinators (nectar and pollen) early in the season when not much else is in bloom. This may be controversial as some folks see these flowers as weeds, but it does help the insects out. Any Early mowing greatly reduces the flowers and the available food sources.
Additionally, most native bee and pollinator species in the midwest are ground-dwelling or overwinter in remnant leaf mulch. Mowing early in the season may stir up and shred these nests, destroying the larvae and thus culling the population before it can disperse. Postponing your first mow till June avoids this pressure on the various populations by giving things time to mature.
How do I get a sign?
Sign up for the program here and we’ll bring a FREE yard sign to you. Or, you can customize your sign at our yard sign painting party on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 1-3p. Details about the gathering are on the sign-up page.
How do I to keep informed on my program’s progress?
Join our closed Facebook group — Ingersoll Park Neighborhood Association. We’ll post updates, and pics and share ideas for making it through the month.
What happens on June 1?
We all mow! But then we gather on June 2, 6-8 pm, for this year’s first backyard garden party of the season. Location details will be sent. We’ll celebrate success, share stories and recognize the best no-mowers!
Is this still a good to oversee and fill in bald spots in my lawn?
Absolutely.