Extend No Mow May Into Slower Mow Summer

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sens lawns are a comparatively newfangled conception , first popularise in the 18thcentury and initiallyused as grazing spot for stock and condition symbolsfor wealthy landowners . However , received locoweed lawns do n’t allow for much food for wildlife and their gamey maintenance indigence have prompted modern nurseryman and homeowner to ascertain originative ways to make their lawns more environmentally favorable and light to maintain .

This spirit of lawn care ingenuity helped to inspireNo Mow May , a motion start byPlantlifeand vulgarise by gardening aficionados and pollinator lovers the human beings over . The premise behind No Mow May is unsubdivided . Juststop mowing sess lawns in springto give flowers more time to blossom and provide nectar and pollen for pollinators when other food author are scarce .

But while No Mow May is a great place to start , reconstitute how we design and keep lawn in the foresighted condition and preparation for the whole growing season can offer additional benefits to pollinators . “ We call for to change how we manage lawn all year , ” says Matthew Shepherd of theXerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation , “ not just decamp mowing for a few workweek . ”

A home surrounded by a lawn made of wildflowers.

Photo: istockphoto.com

If you want to make your lawn more invite to pollinators and draw the reward of a dumb mow summer after No Mow May has go by , here are a few alternative you could try .

Mow less.

Extend No Mow May into a slower hayloft summertime by mow less often in summer and fall and allowing pollinator favourite , like ego - heal and calico asters , to flower in your supergrass . If you need to make your lawn even more attractive to pollinator , consider overseeding pasturage with low - originate , flowering industrial plant as well . How often to cut down lawnswill variegate depending on weather pattern and other factor , but some studies suggest that mop lawns every two to three weeks is ideal for bee habitats .

Raise your mower deck.

cut lawns too short can actuallydamage Gunter Wilhelm Grass plantsand increase lawn watering needs by exposing the soil line of work . But if you raise your lawn lawn mower deck at least 3 ½ to 4 inches high , you may simplify lawn maintenance , protect wildlife and grass plants from scathe , and provide more opportunities for prime to blossom in your yard .

Reduce lawn size.

“ mow less often and at a big peak will allow some flowers to bloom , ” says Shepherd . “ [ But ] we also should be seeking ways to cut down the area of lawns by growing pocket prairie in their piazza or replacing lawn with flower borders . ”

You do n’t need to reduce your lawn size all at once , but you could slow add anew bloom bedor raised garden every class until you have more distance for flowers , veggies , and herb and less lawn to maintain . For even more pollinator perks , consider growing some aboriginal flora in your flower bed and swapping out patches of grass for flowering ground covers like violets , unwarranted strawberry , and false miterwort .

Grow an alternative lawn.

When it come tonon - traditional lawns , overseeding or supervene upon grass with aclover lawnis one of the most popular choices . However , homeowners can adjudicate out otheralternatives to traditional lawns , likeno mow dope , creep thyme , or spook - loving moss . Swapping out dope for humbled grow prime to produce atapestry lawnor wild flower for a naturalmeadowscapecan be peculiarly attractive and good to pollinators .

Some HOAs may placehousehold bansagainst non - traditional lawns , so it ’s always a proficient thought to check with your HOA before exchange your pasturage . add together pollinator garden signage and fence can make alternative lawns look more deliberate and increase the likeliness that HOAs will accept a more unusual lawn choice .

Limit pesticide use.

Of course , if your goal is toattract pollinatorsto your lawn , you ’ll require to ensure that your lawn is bee - secure by reducing pesticide , herbicide , and synthetic plant food exercise . The secure news is that many alternate lawns are low upkeep and plant like clover and some ground cover are naturally pest resistant and need minimal to no fertiliser .

If you do need to give your lawn a pick - me - up , wait for organic and bee - secure lawn attention products . Compost can be used to boost grass wellness , tarping or horticultural vinegar are handy for weed , and many lawn plague can be controlled with hand - picking , companion planting , and natural product like milky spore .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

A yellow lawn mower surrounded by native flowers.

Photo: istockphoto.com

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few mountain on your terrace , a raise bed , or an in - soil plot out back — and select the ripe plants for your soil and region .

Lawn mower used to mow overgrown grass.