Rethink Your Mow: Beyond the No Mow May Movement
By Liselotte Vince, CCEDC MGV
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Article Photos by Liselotte Vince |
The "No Mow May" or “Low Mow May” movement has taken root, encouraging homeowners to let their lawns grow wild for a month to aid pollinators. | |
While this well-meaning idea has potential, its effectiveness depends on your specific situation. Let's explore the benefits, drawbacks, and more sustainable alternatives for a pollinator-friendly yard.
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The Buzz on No Mow May
● Pollinator Power: Letting wildflowers bloom provides vital food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, boosting local ecosystems.
● Green Gains: Reduced mowing saves time, money, and lowers air and noise pollution. It can also help retain soil moisture during dry spells.
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Mowing Down the Myths
● Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution: The success of No Mow May hinges on your lawn's size and condition. Extensive or unkempt lawns can become havens for invasive plants and pests like ticks.
● Chemical Considerations: If you typically use fertilizers and herbicides, your lawn may not grow the wildflowers you desire to support pollinators.
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● Beyond Your Backyard: Think about the broader impact. When you mow in June, you could accidentally mow down the next generation of pollinators that have taken shelter in the tall grass as well as ground-nesting birds.
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Going Beyond the Month
While No Mow May is a starting point, here are some long-term solutions to create a haven for pollinators:
● Plant Native: Integrate native flowers, shrubs, and trees into your landscaping to provide a year-round buffet for pollinators.
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● Designated Wildflower Zones: Mow pathways through dedicated wildflower areas. This allows you to enjoy their beauty while maintaining a neater appearance elsewhere.
● Small Space Sanctuary: If space is limited, dedicate a hidden section of your yard to go wild. This hidden oasis becomes a haven for pollinators without compromising your overall landscaping.
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"No Mow May" can be a stepping stone, a starting point for creating more sustainable solutions for those who want to contribute to a healthier ecosystem by supporting long-term pollinator havens.
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A Caterpillar Invasion
By Heather Brenner, CCEDC Community Horticulture Program Coordinator
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What are all these tiny caterpillars? Where did they come from? How long will they be here? And how can I get rid of them? Ouch! I think one just bit me. Do they cause a rash? Hopefully, this article can help answer some of your questions. | |
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Spongy moth caterpillars are a foliage-feeding insect, have been here since 1869, and are now pretty widespread across the northeast. Every 10-15 years or so there is a large outbreak and you will see thousands of tiny caterpillars covering mailboxes, decks, houses, and trees in the early part of May. They start pretty small (as shown here) and will grow to approximately 2.5 inches in length. These caterpillars feed on over 300 species of trees, although they especially love Oak leaves.
NYS DEC Spongy Moth Fact Sheet
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Spongy Moth (formerly known as Gypsy Moth) (Lymantria dispar) Larval stage Photo credit: Jenn Fimbel | |
In late April or early May, you can place sticky/barrier bands around the the truck of the trees to help prevent the caterpillars from crawling up the tree. This will help but not completely stop the caterpillars from eating the leaves. In this early stage, you may notice the caterpillars swinging in the wind from place to place, called ballooning. Remember to check the sticky bands often and to remove and replace them as needed. You can buy these sticky bands or make your own at home. Detailed instructions on how to make a sticky band from University of Wisconsin. | |
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Caterpillars start off all black in color (larval stage) and very hairy, as shown above. After the second molting, they will develop five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots on their back along with fine long hairs, as shown here. If these hairs come in contact with your skin, they can cause a rash or skin irritation. Some people may mistake this for a bite. To avoid skin reactions, it is best to avoid touching caterpillars when possible and wear long sleeves and long pants when working outside.
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Photo by Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org | |
Eastern tent caterpillar. Photo by Robert F. Bassett, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org. | |
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During a large outbreak of caterpillars, you may notice that your trees are losing their leaves heavily or completely, and it might seem like it is raining under the affected trees. This "rain" is actually the fecal pellets or frass of the caterpillars. This can be quite unpleasant, particularly if you are trying to enjoy a nice afternoon outside. In early to mid-June, when the caterpillars are around an inch long, it is advisable to replace sticky or barrier bands with a burlap trap. This is because the caterpillars usually move down the tree trunk to hide from predators during the day.
Photo credit: NYS DEC website
Detailed instructions on how to make a burlap barrier from the University of Wisconsin.
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In the late June to late July period, the caterpillars begin to weave reddish-brown cocoons. The moths hatch approximately one to two weeks later. These cocoons can be crushed easily and disposed of in the trash.
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Spongy moth pupate in reddish brown cocoons. Photo by USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org. | |
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From July to early August, you can expect to see a lot of brown moths for a couple of weeks. The picture shown here is of the female moth which doesn't fly but lays one tan egg mass. Each egg mass can contain 600-700 eggs, so it's important to destroy them when you see them. You can do this by scraping them into a bucket of warm soapy water and leaving them there overnight before discarding them in the trash. These egg masses can be found on just about any surface, including mailboxes, outdoor furniture, sheds, house foundations, and trees.
| Female moth and egg mass. Photo by Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org. | |
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While management options can be effective in controlling an infestation of caterpillars or moths in smaller areas or for protecting valuable trees, it's important to note that these methods will not completely eradicate the issue. It's also worth remembering that nature has its own ways of controlling these pests, such as through the actions of birds, rodents, parasites, or disease.
Additional resources can be found on our website or NYS DEC's website.
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2024 Schedule
- May 3: No-Mow May | What to do with Grass Clippings
- June 7: Tick & Mosquito Yard Treatments | Myth: Mosquito Repellent Plants
- July 5: Japanese Beetle Management | Aphid-Eating Insects
- August 2: Spotted Lanternfly Update | Box Tree Moth Update
- September 6: Back to School: Bed Bugs | Head Lice
- October 4: Identifying Pests in Your Home
- November 1: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed
- December 6: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree
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FREDERICK W. VANDERBILT GARDEN ASSOCIATION, INC
CELEBRATING 40TH ANNIVERSARY
PO BOX 239 – HYDE PARK, NY 12538
845-229-6432
In the month of May, 2024 the Vanderbilt Garden Association’s Interpreters will be in the formal gardens on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (weather permitting) to talk to visitors about the gardens and their history.
Beginning on Sunday, June 15 and every third Sunday of the month thereafter through and including Sunday, September 21, the Interpreters will offer regular Free monthly tours from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
Tours meet outside the Tool House building.
Interpreters will discuss the history of the gardens, with a focus on the 40th Anniversary of the F.W. Vanderbilt Association, the Vanderbilt ownership and the mission of the not-for-profit Vanderbilt Garden Association to rehabilitate and maintain the plants, shrubs and trees within the formal gardens as they were in the 1930’s just prior to Frederick Vanderbilt’s death in 1938.
For further information,
e-mail info@vanderbiltgarden.org
or visit our website at http://www.vanderbiltgarden.org.
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Beneficial Insects: Presentation and Bee House Workshop
Desmond Fish Library, Garrison, NY, June 15th, 2-3:30pm: Register
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County Master Gardener Volunteers to learn about beneficial insects! This 45 minute presentation provides an explanation of bees (native vs. honey), addresses stings and bites, and features specific insects (bumblebee, mason bee; brachonid wasp; syrphid fly). The importance of spiders is also discussed.
The talk will be followed by a 45 minute hands-on Bee House workshop, where participants will go home with their own nesting place for solitary bees.
Registration is with our program partner, Desmond Fish Library
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Fairy House Hunt
Locust Grove
2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie
Saturdays and Sundays in May & June!
It's that time of the year again to celebrate our historic flowers
and
trees in the gardens at Locust Grove with our annual Fairy House Hunt!
Tickets are $10/Person and children under 4 are FREE!
Tickets here: https://www.lgny.org/may
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SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS
Would you like information on an upcoming gardening event to be shared in this newsletter?
Please include the date, time, location, a short description, cost, and contact information for more details.
Send an email by the 15th of each month to be included in the next month’s newsletter.
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MASTER GARDENERS SPEAKERS BUREAU
Master Gardener Volunteers offer lectures on a wide array of subjects for gardeners.
Favorite topics include: Vegetable Gardening; Pollinator Gardens; Home Composting; Sustainable Gardening Best Practices; Gardening in Small Spaces; Deer Defense; Spotted Lanternfly; Jumping Worms, Spongy Moths, Putting the Garden to Bed in Fall; and Nature in Winter. Additional topics can be prepared to meet a particular group’s needs or interests.
The talks are 45 minutes in duration, followed by 10-15 minutes for questions from the group.
A fee of $100 per lecture (or 3 for $275) helps support our numerous community projects.
To arrange for a speaker and get more details on offerings, contact Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu
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UPCOMING LIBRARY & GARDEN CLUB TALKS:
Note: We have a brand new presentation on 'Spongy Moths'. Let your local library know you are interested in hearing it and find out what you can do at home to help minimize the damage next year.
May:
"Home Composting"
May 6th at 6 pm
Pleasant Valley Library
1584 Main St, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
"Contain Your Enthusiasm"
May 28th at 6 pm
Howland Library
313 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508
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CCEDC Horticulture Hotline & Diagnostic Lab
Need Soil pH Testing? Need Lawn or Plant Diagnosis?
Have any gardening questions?
The Horticulture Hotline, (845) 677-5067 is now open for the season on Wednesday mornings 9-12
NEW!
We now have our own email
Horticulture and Diagnostic questions can be emailed to:
CCEDC Horticulture Hotline & Lab*
Include as much details of the issue as you can. See CCEDC Form for all the details needed.
Photos should be included when at all possible. Please ensure it is well-focused, and shows the whole or a larger section of the plant and a close-up view of the issue.
Diagnostic samples can be dropped off, by appointment only.
This will help ensure your sample will be as fresh as possible for the lab.
Call 845-677-8223 or email fk232@cornell.edu
*The CCEDC Lab is not "staffed" by our volunteers daily.
Please allow up to 72 business hours for response (may be slightly longer on off-season or during inclement weather).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we get this up and running.
For more information, including required forms and a listing of our current service fees:
CCEDC Horticulture Diagnostic Clinic
Cornell University Diagnostic Services:
Gardening Information:
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Websites for Gardeners - many topics, including bees, nuisance wildlife, mushrooms, invasive plants, certified arborists and weed ID.
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****ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN ****
TRAINING IS PLANNED FOR THE FALL OF 2024
Master Gardener Position Description
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CCEDC Master Gardener Volunteer training is held from September through December, in alternate years. Trainings are a mix of in-person, group practicums on weekends, and self-paced weekly online learning modules through the Moodle platform.
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If you are interested in becoming a Dutchess County Master Gardener Volunteer,
please fill out the Dutchess County Master Gardener Volunteer application and mail it to: Dutchess County Farm & Home Center, 2715 Route 44, Suite One, Millbrook, New York 12545-5566 or email it to Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu
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You are the reason that our organization has been able to play a pivotal role in community and economic development in Dutchess County for over 100 years. Your continued participation and support of CCEDC has made direct impact this year.
Together, we can lay the foundation for a successful year ahead, ensuring the lasting impact of our programs and our ability to navigate challenges while seizing new opportunities.
Will you join us now in making this happen?
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Websites mentioned in Dutchess Dirt are provided as a courtesy to our readers. Mention of these websites does not imply endorsement by Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension or by the author.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.
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