I Let My Lawn Grow 

 for No Mow May...

Here’s What Happened

Where I live in Georgia, pollinators emerge long before May, so I adjusted the “no mow” period to fit the local climate and ecology. I normally begin mowing in mid-March.

I started No Mow May  in March.

While my unmowed area brought in significantly higher numbers of bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies, and moths, as the grass and weeds grew taller I also had more migrating and resident songbirds, chipmunks, field mice, and on two occasions, king snakes

Tall grass and flowering weeds attracted lots of wildlife.

At day 26, I saw a cooldown and rain in the forecast for the following week, so I let it go a few extra days. The grass was close to knee-high in some places, but mostly around 10 to 12 inches tall.

I adjusted my “no mow” timing for the weather.

It was weedy, seedy, full of random flowers, and the overall color was a patchwork of greens and tans. But in a month I saved about 6 hours that I would have spent on mowing and trimming the edges.

I enjoyed the break from  lawn upkeep.

With the deck on its highest setting, I mowed in one direction. Then, without adjusting the deck height, I mowed back and forth in a perpendicular direction to the first cut. The double cut eliminated much of the debris, but I had to collect clippings in a few spots.

Then I started mowing again.

To get it back in shape, I mowed again 5 days after the first cut, then again 6 days later.

The lawn looked ragged until the grass recovered.

I normally mow once every week or two throughout the growing season. Going forward, I can simply wait an extra 3 to 5 weeks before beginning my regular routine.

I will do No Mow May again.

– Plant a balcony, patio, or rooftop pollinator garden in containers. – Reduce the size of your lawn by 2, 5, 10, or 25 percent and manage the space for pollinators. – Create an intentionally unkempt  area in an out-of-the way spot. – Choose a mix of pollinator-friendly native trees, shrubs, and perennials for landscaping.

There are alternatives to  No Mow May.

More on

How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades in 5 Photos

Get the Newsletter

14 Lawn Mowing Mistakes Everyone Makes (and How to Fix Them)

Sign up to receive the best tips and tricks, the latest news and giveaways, and the most inspiring home improvement ideas from Bob Vila, America's Handyman since 1979.

Subscribe Now