You may have heard the phrase "No Mow May" — the idea of skipping lawn mowing for the entire month of May to provide habitat and food sources for early-season pollinators. It's a well-intentioned movement, but in Minnesota, the reality is more nuanced. Here's what Twin Cities homeowners should know.
What Is No Mow May?
No Mow May originated in the UK and spread to North America as an easy way homeowners could support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during early spring when food sources are scarce. The premise is simple: let your lawn grow and bloom (dandelions included) for the month of May, providing nectar for pollinators.
The movement gained traction in cities like Minneapolis, which formally endorsed the practice with a temporary ordinance suspending tall-grass violations in May.
Does No Mow May Actually Help Pollinators?
The research is mixed. A 2022 study found meaningful increases in bee diversity in No Mow May yards compared to regularly mowed lawns — genuinely encouraging results. However, follow-up research raised concerns:
- Tick habitat increases significantly in unmowed grass, which is a real health concern in Minnesota where Lyme disease is endemic.
- The benefit may be overstated. Most lawn grass doesn't flower — the benefit comes primarily from weeds like dandelions and clover, which are already present in many lawns at lower mowing heights.
- Abrupt resumption of mowing in June can shock the grass and cause stress, especially on warm days.
- Thatch buildup and disease become more likely in dense, unmowed turf over several weeks.
The Minnesota-Specific Complications
Minnesota's spring is compressed and unpredictable. By late April and early May, cool-season grasses are in their fastest growth period of the year. Skipping mowing for the entire month means:
- Grass can reach 6–10 inches or taller
- You'll be forced to remove more than one-third of the blade height at once when you do mow (the "scalping" effect), which stresses the lawn
- Thatch accumulation and disease pressure increase
- Weed competition worsens, as unmowed weeds go to seed throughout your lawn
For lawns in Blaine, Coon Rapids, Andover, and similar Twin Cities communities, May is also the critical window for pre-emergent weed control and spring fertilizing — treatments that require regular mowing access and consistent lawn condition to apply properly.
What You Can Do Instead
You don't have to choose between a healthy lawn and supporting pollinators. Here are better alternatives for Minnesota homeowners:
Mow High, Not Less Often
Set your mower deck to 3.5–4 inches and maintain that height throughout the season. Taller grass is more drought-tolerant, shades out weeds naturally, and provides more ground-level habitat than a short-cropped lawn — without the downsides of not mowing at all.
Designate a Pollinator Patch
Instead of skipping mowing entirely, leave a small area (a corner, a border strip, or a garden bed) intentionally unmowed or planted with native wildflowers. This provides targeted pollinator habitat without compromising the rest of your lawn.
Plant Native Species in Beds
Native Minnesota plants like wild bergamot, purple coneflower, and black-eyed Susan are excellent pollinator plants that thrive in our climate and bloom across a long season — far longer than dandelions. Adding even a small native plant bed does more for pollinators than skipping lawn mowing.
Tolerate Clover and Low-Growing Blooms
If your lawn has clover, creeping thyme, or other low-growing flowering plants, consider letting some of them bloom before spot-treating. These provide real pollinator value without letting the lawn get out of control.
Our Take
At Lawnworks, we support pollinators and sustainable lawn care practices — and we also know that a healthy, well-maintained lawn is better for the environment than a stressed, weed-infested one that needs heavy intervention later. A lawn that's properly fertilized, aerated, and kept at the right height supports soil health, manages runoff, and stays dense enough to compete with weeds naturally.
No Mow May is well-intentioned. But in Minnesota, there are smarter ways to be a good neighbor to bees and butterflies without sacrificing your lawn health.
Questions about your spring lawn care program? Get a free instant estimate from Lawnworks — serving the Twin Cities since 2016, licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and rated 4.9/5 by 200+ customers.