by Alec McClennan, on April 2, 2026
Should I Do No Mow May?
We hear that question a lot lately as No Mow May is getting more and more attention. The premise is that by mowing your lawn in May, you help support pollinators looking for spring flowers. But, as with anything, some positives and negatives come with not mowing your lawn until June. Read on for more information to help you decide if No Mow May is right for you.
Is Now Mow May Right For You?
No Mow May could be an excellent option for you if you agree with the following:
1. I am happy with anything that grows in my lawn. I don't mind plants that some might consider "weeds" being a substantial part of my lawn.
2. I don't love grass anyway, and I am ok if my lawn is more brown than green.
3. I am not concerned about ticks and don't have pets who will be outside around the lawn while it isn't mowed.
If you agreed to the questions above, No Mow May might be an excellent option for you! You'll support pollinators in the early Spring, and you won't be bothered by any potential drawbacks associated with No Mow May.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of No Mow May?
There are a few. You won't want to do Now Mow May if you are trying to have a mostly grass lawn for the rest of the season. Not mowing for a month, and then mowing the lawn short, will damage your existing grasses and give annual plants like Crabgrass an advantage. Not the end of the world, but overall, a perennial grass will do a better job improving the soil, sequestering carbon, and capturing rainfall than a lawn filled with Crabgrass and other annual weeds.
Potential Drawbacks Of Now Mow May
You Won't Be Able To Have A "Green" Lawn
Letting your grass grow until June and then mowing will shock the root system of your grass, and keep it from competing with other plants for space in your lawn. As a result, you will end up with many less desirable and less beneficial plants, like Crabgrass. Perennial Grasses improve soil, help soak in water, and create oxygen better than less evolved "weedy" plants (like Crabgrass) do. In addition, many of the plants in your lawn will be annual plants that die over the Winter. As a result, you'll be exposing bare soil to erosion during the cooler (and rainier) parts of the season.
No Mow May & Ticks
If you are concerned about ticks, you may want to think twice before skipping mowing for May. Ticks thrive in areas of tall grasses and plants. By not mowing the area around your home, you are creating the ideal environment for ticks. If you want to do no mow may and are concerned about ticks, contact us about a garlic or cedar treatment to discourage ticks from setting up shop in your tall lawn.
Alternatives To No Mow May For Pollinators
There are many ways to help pollinators and continue to mow your lawn normally.
Plant A Pollinator Garden
Pollinator Gardens can be beautiful and functional. You can choose a small area of your property and set up an array of plants to attract pollinators.
Add Clover To Your Lawn
Clover is a beautiful lawn plant; before "weed killers," Clover was blended into new lawn mixes. Clover helps to feed the soil by pulling nutrients out of the atmosphere at the same time that it encourages beneficial soil life to thrive. We like adding Microclover to lawns to keep it greener in the Summer, and need less water.
Don't Use Chemicals On Your Lawn
Chemicals have been linked to issues with all kinds of pollinators. Just eliminating the chemicals will improve the biodiversity in your lawn.
Go Organic!
Going organic with your lawn care reduces the nasty chemicals you expose pollinators, your family, your pets, our water, and the environment to. An organic lawn can be the best of both worlds, encouraging healthy grass growth that keeps the soil in place and doing its job while also allowing for some biodiversity.
We recommend keeping mowing in May, planting a pollinator garden, and adding Clover to your lawn.
