Ep. 22: No Mow May...Debunked?

Spoiler alert: skipping your May mowing can harm North American pollinators.

Every spring, the gardening and sustainability side of the internet explodes with posts: Practice No Mow May! Let your lawn bloom! Support pollinators! But does a lawn and garden initiative begun in the UK have the same environmental impact in North America? That’s the subject under scrutiny in this episode as we examine whether well-meaning horticulture advice can be exported around the world. 

This week, Sean comes armed with research while Erin is equipped with curiosity. Is practicing No Mow May in Ontario helpful, harmful, or neutral? Does a lawn full of imported dandelions somehow hinder our pollinators? What native plants should they be visiting in spring? Sean shares the history of the No Mow May initiative, the research that has been undertaken in recent years, and the nuance needed to consider non-pollinating insects as well. And of course our hosts both make sure to send you on your way equipped with ideas for lawn care and landscaping that really do result in healthy soil and thriving wildlife and insects for your Ontario garden. 

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Credits

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Citations

The World Wildlife Fund’s suggestions for better practices than No Mow May
Jakubowski, E. (2024, May 1). Does ‘No Mow May’ really help pollinators? - WWF.CA. WWF.CA. https://wwf.ca/stories/no-mow-may-help-pollinators/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10648121956&gbraid=0AAAAADtP0wTPs9QPnyYBcokUaZZXTAaOt&gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGLUOHJp-q4gXd_Nb2UdOWbyxzZeeJUjZRQwsA1thuLTxyKe-4roM0hoC5YcQAvD_BwE

A discussion of what will pop up from your lawn’s seed bank if you don’t mow
Vogt, B. (2023, April 9). Just say no to no mow may. Monarch Gardens. https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/just-say-no-to-no-mow-may

Timestamps

00:12 Intro
2:06 What's Growing On: Erin's Spring Bulbs
3:22: What's Growing On: Sean's Client Gardens...with Erin!
6:05 Water Break
06:15 What is No Mow May (and Mo-Mo May)?
07:42: Does No Mow May Work in North America?
08:15 The Harms of Not Mowing in May in Ontario
11:15 Our Native Pollinators Visit Shrubs in May
12:38 Studies Conducted on No Mow May
14:10 Tree Seedlings vs. Meadows (Who Will Win?)
15:00 Lawn-Cutting Equipment Options
18:15 Pros of No Mow May
19:50 How to Help Your Lawn Support Insects
23:46 Converting Lawn to Wildflowers
30:25 Better Ways to Help Pollinators
38:00 Doing Without Pesticides, Herbicides, and Synthetic Fertilizers
43:00 Say No to Absolutes, Usually
44:23 Conclusion and Contact Us