It’s a catchy idea that’s attracted a lot of gardeners, but No Mow May isn’t the best way to help pollinators. Find out what gardeners can do instead to support bees and the ecosystem all year-round.
Want to know the secret to a thriving garden? Grow a diverse selection of plants.
Rethinking No Mow May
As spring approaches each year in parts of the northern hemisphere, the annual buzz (pun intended) around No Mow May begins again. The idea behind the campaign is simple: by holding off on mowing our lawns for the month of May, we allow early flowers—like dandelions, which are usually mowed down—to bloom and provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.
If May doesn’t quite line up with your local climate, you could adapt the concept to a different early spring month. But the name “No Mow May” has stuck.
It’s a memorable soundbite rooted in good intentions, but for those of us in Canada and United States, it is unlikely to deliver the ecological benefits we’re hoping for.
The Roots of No Mow May
No Mow May began in 2020 as a campaign by Plantlife, a UK conservation organization focused on wild plants and fungi. It was inspired by their earlier “Every Flower Counts” project, where people surveyed 1m x 1m sections of lawn to count the flowers growing there.
The idea was that, with meadows and pastures disappearing, even the humble lawn could become a mini-habitat for pollinators—if given the chance.
Plantlife’s early data was promising: the average UK lawn, left unmowed, could produce enough nectar sugar to support over 1,000 honey bees per day. Clover and dandelions topped the list of nectar-producing flowers.
No Mow May quickly spread beyond the UK. In Appleton, Wisconsin, city council approved a local version of the initiative in 2020. Two university professors and a team of volunteers conducted a study on bee populations during the month. The initial results looked great—more bees and more bee species on the unmowed lawns.
But the study was later debunked. A bee expert from the University of Minnesota pointed out that some of the species reported couldn’t possibly have been there in May. It took over two years, but the paper was eventually retracted—long after it had already been cited widely in media and other research.
That said, there’s still solid evidence from other studies that frequent, close mowing can harm insects, soil life, and biodiversity. Most of those studies didn’t focus on residential lawns, and almost none explored the impact of simply pausing mowing for a few weeks. But there’s enough to suggest that not mowing for a month could offer at least some benefit.
So, What Actually Happens If You Don’t Mow?
If you stop mowing for a month, you’ll likely see some flowers appear—mostly the ones we usually call weeds. Dandelions will be the standout, joined by clover and maybe a few others. These flowers do offer nectar and pollen, which is something a freshly mowed lawn can’t match.
But does that mean you’re “saving the bees”?
Not quite.
Dandelions are indeed an early food source for pollinators—but they’re far from the only one, certainly not the first of the season, and they’re not the best.
Dandelion pollen, in particular, lacks key nutrients. Bees don’t do well if it’s all they have. Thankfully, there are usually other pollen sources available to fill in the gaps.
The real issue is the assumption that if you stop mowing, you’ll get a lush, wildflower-filled meadow. In some regions, maybe. In most places, you’ll just end up with long grass and a lot of dandelions—or, worse, creeping charlie. It won’t look like a meadow. It’ll look like a yard no one’s taken care of.
And when the month is over, mowing that tall grass can stress both your lawn and lawn mower. Cutting off more than a third of a plant at once—whether it’s a shrub or your grass—can cause damage. Your lawn may bounce back, but it won’t be thrilled.
The Real Issue with No Mow May
No Mow May might deliver a little bit of nectar and pollen to local pollinators. You’ll save some time, and if you use a gas mower or pesticides, taking a break from those is a good thing.
But then what?
That’s the problem. The benefits are short-lived. A few extra flowers in May won’t support bees and butterflies through the rest of the season.
And the clean up after May may cancel out any fuel savings.
For gardeners, this is where No Mow May falls short—because we can do so much better.
Better Than No Mow May
If you’re already planting things in your garden, you can choose a diverse selection of plants that support wildlife by offering pollen, nectar, shelter, and habitat all year long—not just for a few weeks.
Look for an assortment of native or well-adapted plants that provide blooms from early spring to fall. Local conservation agencies and the North American Native Plant Society are helpful resources.
Even non-gardeners can help by mowing less often and with the mower blade set higher. Both of those small changes can reduce pollution and increase biodiversity—probably minimally, but better than nothing. And of course, ditch the pesticides.
Want to go a step further?
Turn part of your lawn into a pollinator garden. This has tips to warm reluctant neighbors to the idea.
We’ve been working on all these things for several years now. We’ve removed a majority of our lawn and stopped unnecessary seasonal “clean up.” That, along with starting hundreds of native plants from seed, has reduced the work load and increased the natural beauty and wildlife.
Even if you’re not ready to take out your lawn, you can still choose plants for your garden that are far more beneficial than a few dandelions in May.
In the End
The principle behind No Mow May is true: flowers are better than a mowed lawn for pollinators. Even common weeds can offer some value.
If we truly want to support pollinators, we have to think beyond one month—and beyond dandelions. Gardeners are far more creative than simply parking the mower for a few weeks.
No Mow May has helped raise awareness, but in practice, it’s only a small step. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the creativity to go much further.
Resources
Want Pollinators in Your Garden?
- Choose plants, trees, and shrubs used by local wildlife for food and habitat during all stages of life. Options will be different in each growing region.
- Avoid products like pesticides that are toxic to pollinators and other animals in the food chain.
- Keep it natural: sustainable gardens are not tidy. Dead and decaying things nourish living things.
Might your neighbors object? This shares how to warm them up to the idea.
Native Plants
- North American Native Plant Society | Committed to preserving native plant habitat in wild areas and restoring indigenous flora to developed areas.
Book
A Garden For The Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla
A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee provides all the information gardeners need to take action to support and protect pollinators, by creating habitat in yards and community spaces, on balconies and boulevards, everywhere!
Listen
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛