Slow Mow May
Welcome to Slow Mow May Ridgewood!
Slow Mow May is a grassroots effort to help our pollinators and raise awareness of their importance for our environment.
The goal of Slow Mow May is to embrace a two-week mowing regime (and forego chemicals for the entire month), which supports the greatest abundance of bees by creating habitat and food sources for early-season pollinators. It's a small but important step toward making our yards more natural, environmentally friendly and healthier for people, pets and pollinators.
The benefits of reducing the frequency that lawns are mowed include:
- Increased habitat for pollinators and wildlife
- Cutting down on pollution and reducing CO2 emissions
- Making yards safer for children and pets by reducing the amount of harsh chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) used on our lawns
- Promoting sustainable landscapes for healthier neighborhoods
- Creating a safe environment for learning and observation
- Showing solidarity that you care about our environment and our Village
If you decide to participate in Slow Mow May, please keep in mind that your grass cannot be above 10 inches based on Village ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Slow Mow May instead of No Mow May?
Research has shown that the ideal cadence for mowing your lawn is every two weeks, which supports the highest abundance of bees due to easier access to lawn flowers. Read the full study.
Why the month of May?
The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerging native bees. By allowing lawns to grow longer, and not applying pesticides to your lawn, you can provide nectar and pollen to help bees thrive.
What are the benefits of going more natural?
First and foremost, you are creating habitat and food sources for pollinators, helping them survive, which in turn will ensure they continue pollinating our flowers, plants, trees and gardens and keep them looking beautiful.
Why are pollinators so important?
The United States Forest Service puts it simply: "Without pollinators, the human race and all of earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive."
Will letting my grass grow attract mosquitoes or rodents?
No! Mosquitoes breed in water (not grass), and rodents live where there is an established food source (such as garbage). So if don't have rodents on your property now, it is highly unlikely that you will attract them simply by having longer grass.
Will letting my grass grow lead to more ticks?
No! Last year, the Village Health Department sampled multiple lawns that participated in No Mow May, and not one tick was found on any of the properties. An overwhelming number of peer-reviewed articles also support this finding. Read a peer-reviewed article.