No Mow May—It's All the Buzz

The Scarborough Conservation Commission encourages residents to practice “No Mow May” this year. What is No Mow May, you ask? It’s a grassroots effort that encourages people to delay mowing for the benefit of pollinators. Early in the spring growing season is a critical time for native bees because food sources are hard to find. Allowing lawns to grow longer and flowers to bloom provides nectar and pollen to help bees thrive. 

No sure if you can live with a meadow for a month? No problem! Consider these options that will still benefit bees:

• Practice “Low Mow May” by mowing only once or twice in the month. Mowing less should still allow flowers to bloom. 
• Designate a “No Mow May” section of your lawn. Keep the portion of your lawn close to your home trimmed for play areas and pest control while allowing other areas to grow up.

Mowing less in the spring certainly helps pollinators, but it’s not the only thing that bees and butterflies need. Here are other ways to improve pollinator habitat on your property all year:

• Grow a bee lawn by adding white clover, creeping thyme, and self-heal to your grass seed mix. These low-growing flowers can be mowed like grass but provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. 
• Stop using weed and bug killers. These products kill both pests and the beneficial bugs in your yard. They can also harm kids and pets and pollute our water. 
• Add native plants to your landscape. The best food source for native bees is native plants. As an added bonus, native plants often need less water and fertilizer than ornamentals because they’re adapted to Maine’s climate. 
• Wait to clean out your gardens in the fall and spring. Many species of bees and other beneficial insects will hibernate in dead plant stems and seed pods. Leaving plants in place over the winter and later in the spring is important for these critters. 

If you want to let your friends and neighbors know that you’re planning to participate in No Mow May this year, the Town has a limited number of free yard signs available to those who are interested. Stop by the Planning Department in the basement of Town Hall to pick up your sign. One sign per person is available on a first-come-first-served basis while supplies last.