No Mow May: Let It ‘Bee,’ Or ‘Busybody Enviroweenies’? [Block Talk]
ACROSS AMERICA — No Mow May, the pause in cutting the grass to ensure pollinators get off to a good start, has many defenders, but also a few vocal detractors, among readers who answered our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.We asked: Is No Mow May a good idea or an excuse for some people to be lazy?‘I guess it depends on the individual,” said Montgomeryville-Lansdale (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Bobbles. “Some people will use it as an excuse because they are a bit lazy and others will use it because they believe it will help the pollinators.“We feed the birds,” Bobbles said, “but I wouldn’t mind finding other ways to feed the pollinators. We need them both.”Just get rid of the lawn altogether, said Sue, who reads Fairfax City Patch and Arlington Patch in Virginia, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch and Takoma Park Patch in Maryland.“Lawns are boring, expensive to maintain, and they have negative impacts on the environment,” Sue said. “Plant alternative ground covers, hardscape, put in herb gardens, use your imagination!”“Yes!” said Across America Patch reader Jack. “Let nature take its course — June, July, August and September, too.”“Embrace a new aesthetic,” said Ms. B, who reads Midtown-Hell’s Kitchen (New York) Patch and West Cobb (Georgia) Patch. “Limit the amount of grass areas in your yard. Plant native plants and remove invasive plants. Don’t use or limit pesticide and herbicide use. Paint herbicides on invasives. To limit ‘weeds,’ overplant to crowd out unwanted plants. Weed by hand while weeds are small and easy to remove.”‘Busybody Enviroweenies’Chatham (New Jersey) Patch reader Bob isn’t in that crowd. He thinks everyone should make a sign and plant it in their lawn: ‘Bug Brigade Not Welcome Here!’ ”“We have enough imperious, idle, busybody enviroweenies trying to impose their sanctimonious nonsense on the rest of us,” Bob said. “This is just another of their virtue-signaling, woke, control-and-obey tactics that needs to be stopped. They’ll be on to some other ridiculous do-gooder mandate once this loses the attention they constantly crave.”Bob’s not against pollinators, mind you. To attract them, “encourage expanded flower beds to limit lawn size and plant pollinating flowers in it,” he said.Pottstown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Murph isn’t categorically against bees, either.“I already have enough weeds popping out from I don’t know where,” said “Pull them, dig them and usually still need weed killers. And I’m allergic to bee stings. So I don’t want to encourage any extra.”Lower Providence (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Kirk not only thinks the No Mow May movement is futile, but also that allowing grass and weeds to grow tall could encourage fungal growth.“If you want to help the planet, help the planet,” Kirk said. “Don’t be seduced by half-baked ideas that don’t really accomplish what they promise.”Batavia (Illinois) Patch reader Frank said No Mow May lulls its adherents into a false sense of security.“Most non-invasive plants have very little benefit to our pollinators,” Frank said. “Allowing non-native lovers to spray more herbicide.”A better approach, Frank said, is to encourage people to give up some of their lawn for native wildflowers native pollinators need.Patch reader Ellen is no fan of No Mow May, either.“If you don’t mow, it means more chemicals to get rid of all those weeds,” Ellen said. “I have neighbors who do not manage their weeds, and it costs me a lot of money in chemicals to deal with their laziness. I don’t enjoy lawn work and will use chemicals to save time and hassle.”Don’t Poison The Lawn, ThoughThat’s a hard no for M.K., who reads Orland Park Patch, Oak Lawn Patch and Tinley Park Patch in Illinois.“Don’t poison the weeds and lawn with weed killer,” M.K. said. On the other hand, the reader said, mower blades can be adjusted. “You can still leave the flowering weeds without letting your lawn get too high,” M.K. said.Americans need to get over their obsession with perfectly manicured lawns, another Patch reader said.“It’s just that: an obsession,” the reader said. “Please learn alternative ways to maintain your lawn using organic means rather than dangerous chemicals that do more harm than good.”Instead, “grow native plants that support and help pollinators throughout the growing season,” the reader said.“I love this idea and will support it,” Reston (Virginia) Patch reader Teresa said. “Why not give Mother Nature a break once in a while? Give up the idea that a perfect-looking lawn is important.”‘The More You Know’Natick (Massachusetts) Patch reader Amber was all for No Mow May when the movement, which started in the United Kingdom, gained traction in the United States. It seemed like a good way to raise awareness of the needs of early spring pollinators and help them survive.“But the more I’ve learned the more I’m not in favor of No Mow May, and instead I’m a proponent of smothering patches of lawn and planting natives that will support our native pollinators,” Amber said, adding her thinking was influenced by published research.“Cities, towns, and school districts have an opportunity to model what natives can look like in a manicured landscape,” Amber said. “In doing so, they can provide hands-on learning to homeowners and students, teaching them how to create habitat in their yard, reduce or eliminate pesticides and fertilizer, and even how to create rain gardens and employ water catchment to mitigate flooding.“All of these measures can be part of a city’s or school district’s climate resilient action plan.”Although she believes other measures are more effective, Amber said the No Mow May movement is “opening people’s eyes to the insect crisis” and regards it as “a great opportunity to further develop the message and come alongside homeowners in creating a more climate resilient landscape.”Toms River (New Jersey) Patch reader Deirdra also noted the No Mow May movement is raising awareness about imperiled pollinators.“It calls attention to the decline in pollinators and makes people think more carefully about their choices,” Deirdra said. “I wish more people would plant sections of flowering ground cover rather than just high maintenance, resource intensive grass.”G., who reads New Hyde Park Patch and Garden City Patch in New York, is an enthusiastic supporter of the effort.“We need all the pollinators and they need us,” said G. “Letting some flowers exist helps our gardens grow. This eventually allows the pollinators to help our veggies and fruits grow.”G. thinks the effort should be expanded with the help of local and state highway officials. “There could be designated areas for wildflower growth, both curbside and along highways,” G. said. “Neighbors can help grow along the curbs and natural butterfly-friendly areas.”‘If You Like To Eat’Temecula (California) Patch reader Mike suggested replacing thirsty lawns with native plantings.“We need the pollinators to propagate plants and grow our food,” Mike said, noting that people in his state should plant California native species such as sages, monkey flowers and lavender. “The bees love them and the flowers are beautiful,” Mike said.Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch Junie noted that harming pollinators has myriad effects.“The effects reach into many different areas other than just ‘killing a few bees,’ which is what most people think. Pollinators are responsible for a lot of the food we rely on,” Junie said. “Obviously gardens are best, but that does require more work than most people are willing or able to give. Fence off a small area of your yard and let it grow wild. It’s less area to mow overall and a safer space for pollinators to rely on.”Junie thinks neighborhood cooperation is a must.“If everyone participated, then everyone’s yards would look unkempt at the same time,” Junie said. “It could be an opportunity for neighbors to come together and commiserate over whose yard looks the worst at the end of the month.”“If you like to eat food and smell the flowers, protecting pollinators is more important to a life-sustaining planet than an artificial aesthetic that was invented years ago by those wanting to create a false reason to sell ‘weed’ killer,” said Anya, who reads Milford (Connecticut) Patch and Concord (New Hampshire) Patch.Waukesha (Wisconsin) Patch reader Carrie has been observing No Mow May for several years. “This practice has helped my lawn grow fuller and healthier than how it was when I bought my home,” Carrie said. “I also don't mind less machine noise.”No Mow May Isn’t Enough AloneNashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader Kevin is on the proverbial backyard fence. “Yes and no,” he said in answer to our question about whether No Mow May should be encouraged. “I like the idea, but some people put down pre-emergent herbicides to keep weeds from the lawn. I think we should encourage the use of wildflower seeds.”Stone Mountain-Lithonia (Georgia) Patch reader Jan called for a compromise. Pausing mowing for the entire month of May be a bit much, Jan said, recommending that cutting the grass only every two or even three weeks, depending on weather conditions could be beneficial.Carrie, another Nashua Patch reader, doesn’t mow at all.“Give it a try!” Carrie said. “I have a natural yard, and many of my neighbors do, too. They look sweet and interesting, not messy. It’s a matter of learned attitude about land use.”Carrie and her neighbors plant flowering native shrubs, or at least non-invasive flowering shrubs, such as azaleas and hydrangeas, that attract bees. Most live in the soil, not in hives, she noted, so loosening soil and leaving mossy areas and fallen leaves provides habitat for many species.“You can make a habitat for solitary bees by rolling strips of cardboard tubes and tying them with cotton string to trees,” Carrie continued, noting it’s important not to install tall, solid fences that can block beelines near gardens. “Bees fly in straight lines to and from flower patches,” she pointed out.Laura, an amateur gardener who reads Brick Patch and Toms River Patch in New Jersey, is all-in on No Mow May, but said more can be done to help pollinators.“Supporting and encouraging pollinators is a multiprong effort. No Mow May is just one aspect,” she said. “Property owners should be allowed to grow a wildflower garden or not mow as they wish.”‘Invites Snakes And Ticks To The Party’Jim, who reads Simsbury (Connecticut) Patch, said whether to participate in No Mow May is a personal choice. On the downside, pausing mowing during the months gives weeds “an energetic first start, which can haunt you later in the growing season.”“I practice mostly organic lawn care,” Jim said. That means cutting the grass to a 4-inch height to allow the grass to shade out weeds.“I do fertilize and use milky spores for control of grubs. I don’t use any pesticides or insecticides in my lawn. I do, on rare occasions. Spot treat for a particularly invasive weed,” he said, adding, “I am being much more Earth-friendly than most.”“People need to chill out. It’s not that deep just because someone doesn’t mow their lawn.” said Virginia, who reads Plymouth-Whitemash (Pennsylvania) Patch, Norristown (Pennsylvania) Patch, Across Pennsylvania Patch and Across America Patch. “I like the idea of letting it grow for the wildlife,” Virginia said. “Plant native and pollinator-friendly plants.”“I say to each their own. It’s only one month. After that, it will be mowed and look nice. It’s not a big deal, said Terri, an Across America Patch reader.She qualified her response.“My only concern is the tall grass invites snakes and ticks to the party, so you have to be very careful when mowing in tall grass,” Terri said. “Also, tall grass is difficult to mow, on both the person and the mower.”Pumpkin, who reads Wantagh-Seaford Patch and Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch, also supports No Mow May with reservation, noting, “We have a bad tick problem on Long Island which necessitates cutting.”To compensate, “plant pollinating plants in the garden,” Pumpkin said. “Many homeowners think the only option is a green lawn with nothing to help our pollinators who help us.”About Block TalkBlock Talk is an exclusive Patch series on neighborhood etiquette — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you'd like for us to consider, email [email protected] with “Block Talk” as the subject line.Catch up on Block TalkThe article No Mow May: Let It ‘Bee,’ Or ‘Busybody Enviroweenies’? [Block Talk] appeared first on Across America, US Patch.
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