Master Gardener: May offers many shades of green

May is finally here, and everything is the many many shades of real green. The April showers are past, and we are waiting for the May flowers.

I noticed for the first time last year the No Mow May. It took me by surprise. It is a quick and catchy name for a movement that aims far beyond not mowing the yard for a month. It’s more than long grass and dandelion blooms.

If you live in the country with the tall and native grasses, you have witnessed this for all your life, but not in the city so much. I have to wonder about some of the tall grasses’ names, such as Twin Sisters, Cemetery Ladies, Feather Reed, Switch grass, Fountain grass, Zebra grass, Maiden grass, Buffalo grass and many more. Who knew there could be so many grasses. I always thought grass was grass.

To some the yard is their whole summer. I remember once I thought I was doing my husband a favor by cutting the grass on a hot August day. Well, one strip was cut out of line. As soon as he pulled in the driveway and noticed the crooked line he jumped out of the car, fired up the lawnmower and recut the entire yard.

No Mow May supports insects, bird life

One of the main reasons for not mowing in May is for the insect and birdlife to thrive. The habitat and food sources of not mowing provide an enormous benefit to these creatures. There is a little universe at work near the ground.Clover and dandelions can flourish between the grasses which serves nectar to bees and other pollinators.

Some areas have a no chemical policy. This helps by not dumping herbicides and petro-chemical based fertilizer onto the lawns and meadows so that a verdant and diverse habitat can take hold. A good question to ask is, “Why do we deny ourselves the beauty and the other creatures the life-giving benefits of these plants?”

The movement was popularized by Plantlife, an organization started in the United Kingdom, but is catching on in North America. No mowing during the month of May is to pause mowing during the month, allowing flowers to bloom in your lawn helping early season pollinators, tackle pollution, reduce urban heat extremes, and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground.

Not mowing creates diverse environment for bees, butterflies

The No Mow May creates a diverse and welcoming environment for pollinators, including bees, buterflies, and other insects. However, on the other hand, a whole month without mowing could result in extra costs, more labor, and higher environmental impacts to recover from later in the summer. Some critics voice concerns, saying the movement could be unintentionally harmful for pollinators due to only providing a temporary safe haven for them.

You are probably asking yourself of No Mow May also will provide cover for unwanted pests, such as rodents, ticks, and mosquitos. These are all harmful and can be transmitted to humans and pets. Ticks hate garlic, sage, mint, lavender, beautyberry, rosemary and marigolds. Use these plants in your landscaping borders around decks, walkways, pet runs, patios and other areas to keep ticks away.

For that first cutting in June adjust your mower to the highest setting but for the rest of the season move to your regular setting.

Why would you not want to see this beauty and all the friendly creatures it will attract? So consider a No Mow May this year to help protect and increase the tiny insect creature, pollinator, and bird population and give yourself a mowing rest.

I hope you attended our Plant Sale last Saturday. We saw many familiar faces from past years and met a few new individuals who were surprised at the quality and competitive prices of our plants. The knowledge of our Master Gardeners is priceless. Mark your calendar for next year Saturday, May 3, 2025.

If you want to learn more about gardening, why not become an expert. We are offering a Master Gardener class this fall. Call 419-334-6340 for more information.

Susan La Fountaine is a Master Gardener with the Sandusky and Ottawa counties Extension Offices.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Master Gardener: May offers many shades of green