What is No Mow May in Wisconsin? Here's everything you should know.

Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
15

Here is an excuse to not cut the grass for a month.

You'd also be doing your part to help preserve the environment, according to environmentalists. Although, many have been critical of supposed benefits of No Mow May.

The City of Milwaukee joined a growing list of communities who will participate in No Mow May. Here's what to know about it.

Lauren Boos and her husband, Erik, of Greenfield decided to not mow their lawn during May 2022 in order to let it grow out to help preserve pollinators like bees. They participated in No Mow May in their neighborhood.
Lauren Boos and her husband, Erik, of Greenfield decided to not mow their lawn during May 2022 in order to let it grow out to help preserve pollinators like bees. They participated in No Mow May in their neighborhood.

What is No Mow May?

No Mow May is a campaign that encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May in order to provide a stable habitat for pollinators, like bees, butterflies and other insects, early in the growing season.

Cutting grass destroys the many wildflowers that are in bloom, which provide a vital source of nectar and pollen for the insects. Letting the flowers grow for the month help protect the pollinators, who in some cases are in danger of extinction, particularly bees.

All ecosystems rely on pollinators. They facilitate the reproduction of more than 75% of flowering plants and two-thirds of all agricultural crops, according the Integrated Pest Management Institute of North America.

Reduced mowing can result in higher bee abundance and diversity in yards, which benefits the ecosystem. Many baby birds feed on insects in the spring.

How do I participate?

It is not as simple as not cutting your grass in May. You do risk being fined if you don't register beforehand. The city's Department of Public Works website says if a complaint is received about a lawn and the lawn is not registered to participate in No Mow May, then the property owner risks being fined.

To register for No Mow May, you should sign up on DPW's Click4Action website.

When do I have to cut my grass by?

All tall grass/weed violations must be corrected by Sunday, June 4. After that date if your grass is not cut you will be in violation of a city ordinance, which prohibits grass or weeds taller than 7 inches.

Property owners who violate the ordinance will be fined $50. If property continues to be in violation, another charge of $100 plus special charges for mowing will be assessed to the property owner. Additional violations will cost $150 plus special charges for mowing.

Where do I get a yard sign?

Yard signs are encouraged if you are registered. The city no longer has any free signs, but the sign can be purchased for $12.50 at Confluence Graphics, 265 E. Hampton Ave. You can call the store at 414-962-7000.

No Mow May yard sign
No Mow May yard sign

Property owners can also a print a sign for a window at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee's website.

What communities in Wisconsin are doing No Mow May?

No Mow May will not just be happening in Milwaukee, it actually started in the United Kingdom. Appleton became the first city to adopt No Mow May in the U.S.

No Mow May was the subject of an Appleton common council committee hearing earlier this month after Ald. Chad Doran proposed nixing No Mow May, claiming it "doesn't have any scientific backing behind it." The committee denied the resolution on a 4-1 vote but not before criticizing Doran over leaving out that bee populations are stronger where there is no mowing.

"The fact that you would know that information, omit that information and submit this resolution makes it inconceivable that this resolution's primary impetus is about No Mow May to even begin with," Ald. Brad Firkus said. "I think that this is an entirely inappropriate use of the powers we have as an alderperson."

More than 20 communities in Wisconsin have adopted No Mow May. Wausau, Stevens Point, Oshkosh and Fort Atkinson adopted No Mow May in 2021. In 2022, Green Bay, De Pere, Wisconsin Rapids, and La Crosse announced they would help save the bees.

A number of Milwaukee's suburbs have adopted No Mow May, including Fox Point, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Greendale and Cudahy.

Parts of Michigan and New York also adopted No Mow May in 2022.

Special tips for cutting grass in June

Those who participate in No Mow May for the entire month will likely see their grass grow to 12 to 18 inches tall. Because of that, push mowers will have a difficult time cutting grass that is that tall.

Here are some tips:

  • Give yourself extra time to accomplish the task.

  • Adjust your mower to the highest setting and make one pass through your lawn. After reducing the grass height to a more manageable length, reduce the height of the blade, before making a second pass, repeat the process.

  • Do not cut more than ⅓ of your grass length. For example, if your grass is 6 inches tall, do not remove more than 2 inches of length. This helps prevent root stress and promotes turf vigor.

DPW asks that you do not put mow or blow grass clippings in the street. Grass and leaves clippings can travel into local rivers with pretreatment and cause algal blooms. Also, debris in the street can also be dangerous for drivers, especially those with two wheels.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee joins No Mow May initiative in Wisconsin, how to sign up