Have you heard of Now Mow May?
No Mow May, which encourages folks to hold off mowing their lawn during the month of May, got its start in Appleton! Appleton was the first city in the United States to adopt No Mow May, but many other municipalities in the Fox Valley and Green Bay area are agreeing to waive ordinances for long grass and weeds for the month of May.
But why wait to mow when the grass is already starting to green up and it’s only April? No Mow May encourages waiting to mow so your lawn can provide habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies early in the season when habitat is limited. Studies have shown wild bee populations are in the decline, and bees pollinate not just our gardens but the agricultural crops we eat. Lawrence University researchers even found that Appleton properties that participated in No Mow May had 3 – 5 times the number of bee species that nearby mowed parks!
No Mow May has water quality benefits, too!
By letting native species grow in your lawn, you’re allowing a deep root system to take hold. The root systems of non-lawn species grow deep into the ground, holding soil in place and taking up water, keeping it from running across your lawn into the storm drain. The plant roots will filter and release the water to infiltrate through the soil. By keeping the water and soil in place, we keep nutrients from running into our water and contributing to algae blooms. The more nutrients that are absorbed by the plants in yards and ditches, the less that will travel directly to our river system.
Not all municipalities participate in No Mow May.
The City of Appleton, City of Kaukauna, City of Oshkosh, City of Green Bay, and City of DePere have announced they are participating for 2022, but requirements vary and some cities require you to register for the program. If you’re interested in participating but not sure if your town, city, or village is on board with No Mow May, give your municipal Public Works department a call.
And for additional information about this up and coming practice, check out the New York Times article that highlight’s Appleton’s role as the inaugaral city in the US!
