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The Whitefish Bay Garden Club's Environmental Committee Presents
NO Mow May:
Whitefish Bay has joined a number of Northshore communities and the City of Milwaukee in support of No Mow May, an international effort to support pollinators in support of our environment and a more sustainable ecosystem.
No Mow May (NMM) is an initiative that originated in the United Kingdom and was adopted and implemented in Appleton, Wisconsin several years ago. NMM encourages people to let their lawns, or a portion of their lawns, grow and suspend mowing during the month of May. The goal of No Mow May is to promote biodiversity and support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other insects, which play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Certain bee species winter in the ground and postponing mowing reduces the mortality of those species. Your dandelion in early spring is also a source of nutrition and sustainability for many species. Deadhead your dandelions after blooming to reduce the spread and eliminate the use of herbicides.
Here are some reasons why you should participate in No Mow May
Promotes biodiversity: Allowing your lawn to grow wild can provide habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, increasing the overall biodiversity of your local ecosystem.
Supports pollinators: Many of the species that benefit from wild lawns are important pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. By providing them with food sources and habitat, you can help support their populations. Bees have declined by 25% or more in most areas of the U.S.; monarch butterflies have declined by 75%. Our gardens, parks, and food supply are at risk.
Reduces carbon emissions: Mowing your lawn produces carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. By reducing the amount of mowing you do, you can help reduce your carbon footprint.
Saves time and money: Not mowing your lawn for a month can save you time and money on lawn maintenance. It can also reduce the amount of water you need to use on your lawn.
Raises awareness: Participating in No Mow May can help raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and the role that small actions, such as not mowing your lawn, can play in supporting our environment.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Postpone lawn-cutting until June 1. When pollinators emerge from their winter nests, they are hungry, and not much food is available. Early flowers like dandelions, clover, and violets help fill the gap until more plants flower. Research studies show that waiting until June to mow can greatly increase the number of bees and other pollinators, and the diversity of species present.
2. Postpone spring clean-up until temperatures have reached 50 degrees for at least five days consecutively. This will protect overwinter nesting sites such as dead wood, last year’s plants, and stems and leaf piles.
3. Avoid using pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Pesticides kill helpful creatures as well as harmful ones. Herbicides often kill the flowering plants the pollinators need to forage. Fungicides can make bees more susceptible to diseases and interfere with development and reproduction.
4. Get the word out. Talk to your friends and neighbors about the critical state of pollinators and what we all can do to help them early in the season by protecting their habitat. Here are some helpful links to resources to assist in getting out information https://midwestgrowsgreen.org/no-mow-may-milwaukee/
https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may
5. Take the next step in promoting pollinator survival by incorporating native plants into your garden and turning your turf grass into a bee lawn.
6. Participate in No Mow May and post a sign for your neighbors so they better understand why your lawn may not be as kept as usual. Signs are available through Confluence Graphics, Hampton Avenue, Whitefish Bay.
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