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NO MOW MAY

Discover beautiful surprises in your yard

No Mow May: Welcome

JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO DELAY MOWING

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LEARN MORE

It's now May, so we're excited you're interested in the growing international movement to delay mowing until after this month to:


  • Discover beautiful surprises in your yard

  • Create a diverse wildlife haven

  • Help increase ecosystem resilience


See the recording of the town-wide conversation about No Mow May conducted on April 11, 2023.

For questions, contact Robin Wilkerson at outsideinformation@gmail.com.

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SEE THE NO MOW MAY COMMUNITY

See pictures residents are submitting of the blooms, butterflies, bees and other beautiful surprises they are finding all month long!

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SHARE YOUR BEAUTIFUL SURPRISES

We'd love to see what treasures you find in your yard this May - flowers big and small, butterflies, bees, other pollinators and more.


Submit your own pictures to share: lincolncommonground@gmail.com


Be aware, any photos you send may be posted publicly, unless you specify otherwise.

Image by Erin Minuskin

WHY PARTICIPATE IN NO MOW MAY?

No Mow May is a chance to support pollinators, make a positive environmental impact, and experience the joy of flowers popping up in your own yard.

The first flowers of spring are emerging and their nectar is a critical food source for pollinators. Grass and flowers provide habitat for pollinators. Pollinators are essential for many plants to grow, including most of our fruit and vegetables. Globally, pollinator populations are declining from habitat loss and climate change. No Mow May is your chance to make a difference and support essential pollinators.

We encourage all Lincoln residents to give No Mow May a try (even if you're a little bit late to the party)! Hold off on mowing for the month - or even longer. Say no to herbicides and pesticides, which kill pollinators and the flowers they rely on. If you are not ready to take the full plunge, try leaving a section of your lawn un-mown. Or mow paths through your lawn and around edges.

We think of No Mow May and Low Mow Spring as small steps toward making yards friendlier for wildlife and people alike.

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NO MOW MAY SIGNS

You may see neighbors displaying a sign to share they are participating in No Mow May. You may have landed on this page because you scanned the QR code that led you to this site to learn more. Welcome!

Feel free to start participating in No Mow May now, and check back in early Spring next year for opportunities to pick up a sign to show your support then.

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NO MOW MAY: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO HELP YOUR GARDEN BECOME A POLLINATOR’S PARADISE

See this great article from the Boston Globe for more information on No Mow May

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FAQ

Q: I'm interested, but I don't want it to seem like I'm neglecting my messy yard.

A: That's understandable. A few tips:

  • Post a free sign indicating you are participating in No Mow May so your neighbors and passer-bys understand what you're doing is intentional, temporary and beneficial. You may inspire them to be curious about the movement when they explore the resources provided on the sign.

  • Mow a path or a section that you want to keep looking neat

Q: I don't have a yard. Can I participate?

A: Yes! There are many meaningful ways to participate in the spirit of No Mow even if you don't have your own yard. These are also great ideas to participate in ways beyond delaying mowing if you do have a yard:

  • If you have access to any outdoor space, like a patio or deck, plant native plants in containers. See our resource on Native Plants.

  • Volunteer with LLCT and/or LCG to plant pollinator pathways in town.

  • If you have an HOA, landlord or property manager, encourage them to participate in No Mow May.

  • Advocate to delay mowing of public land.

Q: I want to participate, but I can't let my whole yard go unmown for all of May

A: It's great you want to do what makes sense for you! Try these techniques:

  • It's not all or nothing. You can choose to mow a path, parts of your lawn, or just leave one patch unmown. All of these approaches count as participating.

  • Mow on the highest setting only and/or less frequently than you would normally during May. Some Spring flowers are still likely to bloom under those conditions.


Q: How long can I expect my lawn to grow during this time?

A: It's highly variable even within Lincoln, MA. Some families have experienced relatively low growth, around 3-4 inches. Others have seen moderate growth, 7-8 inches, and some very productive patches within yards have grown over 12 inches during May. We are collecting data this year and would love to share more precise information in the future.

Q: I'm afraid of the first time I mow in June. Won't it be difficult to mow?

A: It could be more difficult to mow the first time after No Mow May. Try setting your mower to the highest setting (usually 4 inches) for a first pass. You can leave it at that length, or choose to mow again at a shorter length. It may take more time and effort to perform this mowing, but think of the time and effort you saved while not mowing before June!​

Q: I use a landscaper to mow. Will they be supportive of No Mow May? I don't want to tarnish my good relationship with them.

A: We've talked to some local landscaping companies and many are aware of No Mow May and supportive of their clients to participate. It is a good idea to talk to your landscaper early to let them know you plan to participate and then want to get on the landscapers' schedule in June. Also, consider offering a higher payment for the first mow in June because it is likely to be a bit more time and effort to perform for your landscaper. It can also mitigate the issue that the landscaper lost revenue from you during May.

Q: I'm afraid of bees and am not sure I want to attract them to my yard.

A: Many people have many personal reasons to not like bees, however, most bees have an inaccurate reputation. There are over 365 species of native bees in Massachusetts alone! Many of them are not easily recognizable as bees to the untrained eye. Most bee species in MA are gentle and singularly focused on gathering nectar and pollen from flowers. They are vital to the ecosystem, our food sources, and our survival.

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MORE RESOURCES

Further reading on native plants and No Mow May

No Mow May: News
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