Should You Mow Your Lawn in May? Experts Weigh In

When to Skip Mowing in May

If your backyard looks more like a tapestry lawn—patches of violet, yellow, and white mini blossoms—than an uninterrupted blanket of green that resembles a golf course, then No Mow May is for you. It helps if you live in a Northern or Midwestern state with hardiness zones 3 through 6, where plants and pollinators start getting busy starting in April and May. Fueled by April showers, the grass and flowering weeds typically come out of dormancy and start their seasonal cycle.

But before you decide to keep your hands off your lawnmower, consider what actually grows in your yard. The lovely lavender buds of creeping Charlie (ground ivy) and the pretty bells of bindweed may look harmless enough, but these invasive and aggressive weeds can “quickly spiral out of control, choking out all of your other plants,” points out Kevin Lenhart, design director and landscape architect at Yardzen. Dandelions, a broad-leaved weed, are also plants you may want to think twice about. Brooke Edmunds, community horticulturist and associate professor in the Oregon State University Department of Horticulture, points out that dandelions are not necessarily “the best pollen and nectar source for all early season pollinators.”

But if you notice daisy-like fleabane or common blue violet in your lawn, you needn’t worry too much, and the pollinators will be happy to spot them. “Their pollen and seeds are a rich resource for a variety of insects and birds,” Lenhart explains.

One thing you do want to consider when letting your yard grow wild is the prevalence and risk of ticks in your area. These pests love high grasses and often climb high in order to best cling to pet fur and anyone else walking around. Should you decide to continue with No Mow May, discourage the spread of ticks by adding Cedercide granules, recommends Alec McClennan, founder of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, based in Cleveland, with locations in the Midwest. Instead of traditional pesticides, this product repels ticks and mosquitoes but is “super easy on pollinators,” he adds. Alternatively, ask if your lawn service has a specialized garlic oil treatment that is also safe for bees.