No Mow May

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Registration is now open for No Mow May 2023. Sign up by May 1st to reserve your yard sign. Registration closes May 15th, 2023.


Participate in Edina's second annual No Mow May program! No Mow May encourages residents who live in owner-occupied or rented properties to allow flowering plants to bloom that provide habitat and nutrition for early-season pollinators by pausing mowing their lawn during the month of May. Following the success of Edina’s inaugural event in 2022, City Council passed a Resolution of Support for No Mow May in 2023, temporarily suspending its turf and weed ordinances related to lawn height for participating properties. Properties must come back into compliance by June 15th, 2023.


Registration closes May 15th for the 2023 program! Sign up by May 15th to ensure your yard is included in No Mow May this year.


Yard signs will be available to those who register by May 1st, 2023. In order to register, participants must be logged in to a BetterTogether account—those interested in participating who do not have an account can create one for free here. Participants who register by May 1st can pick up their yard sign (*Limit one per household) from 8:00am - noon at Edina City Hall in the main foyer on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, April 5th
  • Wednesday, April 12th
  • Wednesday, April 19th
  • Wednesday, April 26th
  • Wednesday, May 3rd

Signs will be available to registrants after May 1st on a first-come first-serve basis as quantity is limited. Have a sign from last year? Reuse it!

Missed out on Edina No Mow May signs? Participants can print a free sign from Bee City USA's No Mow May website to display.

Want to know what to do with your sign after May? Save it! The sign is meant to be used for multiple years, so consider stowing it in a closet, garage or basement after May, for future use in the years to come. If you don't expect to participate in No Mow May again, consider dropping of your sign at the Edina Public Works front desk (7450 Metro Blvd) so that it can be reused.

Pollinator Workshops: Interested in learning more ways you can help? Learn the basics of planting and maintaining a bee lawn, or register for any of the following workshops as part of Edina's No Mow May Webinar Series - registration required:

* Residents: After entering your information and Edina address, a coupon code will be automatically applied and mandatory payment will be dismissed. Non-residents: cost is $15 per workshop.

Benefits of No Mow May: Participating in No Mow May supports all of Minnesota's pollinators - Minnesota pollinators include native bees, butterflies, ants, flies, beetles, birds and more! Avoid mowing in early spring and during the month of May to protect overwinter habitat for threatened bee populations and other pollinators, while allowing flowering plants to grow rich in nectar and other key nutrients that serve as food for our pollinator friends during a time when needed most. In urban areas, like Edina, pollinator habitat and food sources are relatively sparse this time of year—by joining No Mow May, you can help support the health and diversity of native pollinator populations by providing the resources needed for pollinators to thrive.

June - Return to Mow Tips: When you start mowing again in June, learn from the UMN about mowing best practices for a healthy lawn. Best practices for bringing your grass back down to a reasonable height while keeping it healthy include:

  • Mow late in the day or when grass is dry

  • Mow down in small increments (never more than 1/3 of grass blade’s height at one time)

  • Rake up excessive clippings to prevent them from going into streets. This protects your local water quality and keeps storm drains clear.

To Help Pollinators Year-round:

  • Mow less – instead of mowing your lawn every single week, or even multiple times a week, mow every 2 to 3 weeks. Mowing stresses your grass and creates unhealthy lawns if mowed too frequently. Lawns mowed every 3 weeks can have as much as 2.5x more lawn flowers, and support a greater number of pollinators (UMass-Amherst, 2018).

  • Mow higher – consider keeping your lawn 3.5-4.5” inches in height. Taller grass holds more moisture, is less prone to stress, and better hides plants like clover and dandelion that pollinators need.

  • Water your lawn about 1” (in volume) per week in the early morning or late evening, and avoid watering during rain events.

  • Water your lawn all at once rather than in smaller quantities more frequently. This can disrupt pollinators and other insects, and stress your lawn during periods of drought.

  • Allow some flowering plants to persist in your lawn; tolerate clover and dandelions. To provide plenty of food sources from spring and throughout fall, avoid de-weeding your entire yard – no need to pull up all those ‘evil’ patches of clover or rid your lawn of all those ‘pesky’ dandelions. These are a favorite food source for many of MN’s threatened pollinators, including several bee species.

  • Limit or cease use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Use organic sources sparingly instead.

  • Ready to re-seed your grass lawn? Consider prioritizing fine fescue over Kentucky bluegrass. Fine fescue is slow growing, while KY bluegrass requires more frequent mowing.

  • Consider applying for Minnesota’s Lawns to Legumes program.


Registration is now open for No Mow May 2023. Sign up by May 1st to reserve your yard sign. Registration closes May 15th, 2023.


Participate in Edina's second annual No Mow May program! No Mow May encourages residents who live in owner-occupied or rented properties to allow flowering plants to bloom that provide habitat and nutrition for early-season pollinators by pausing mowing their lawn during the month of May. Following the success of Edina’s inaugural event in 2022, City Council passed a Resolution of Support for No Mow May in 2023, temporarily suspending its turf and weed ordinances related to lawn height for participating properties. Properties must come back into compliance by June 15th, 2023.


Registration closes May 15th for the 2023 program! Sign up by May 15th to ensure your yard is included in No Mow May this year.


Yard signs will be available to those who register by May 1st, 2023. In order to register, participants must be logged in to a BetterTogether account—those interested in participating who do not have an account can create one for free here. Participants who register by May 1st can pick up their yard sign (*Limit one per household) from 8:00am - noon at Edina City Hall in the main foyer on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, April 5th
  • Wednesday, April 12th
  • Wednesday, April 19th
  • Wednesday, April 26th
  • Wednesday, May 3rd

Signs will be available to registrants after May 1st on a first-come first-serve basis as quantity is limited. Have a sign from last year? Reuse it!

Missed out on Edina No Mow May signs? Participants can print a free sign from Bee City USA's No Mow May website to display.

Want to know what to do with your sign after May? Save it! The sign is meant to be used for multiple years, so consider stowing it in a closet, garage or basement after May, for future use in the years to come. If you don't expect to participate in No Mow May again, consider dropping of your sign at the Edina Public Works front desk (7450 Metro Blvd) so that it can be reused.

Pollinator Workshops: Interested in learning more ways you can help? Learn the basics of planting and maintaining a bee lawn, or register for any of the following workshops as part of Edina's No Mow May Webinar Series - registration required:

* Residents: After entering your information and Edina address, a coupon code will be automatically applied and mandatory payment will be dismissed. Non-residents: cost is $15 per workshop.

Benefits of No Mow May: Participating in No Mow May supports all of Minnesota's pollinators - Minnesota pollinators include native bees, butterflies, ants, flies, beetles, birds and more! Avoid mowing in early spring and during the month of May to protect overwinter habitat for threatened bee populations and other pollinators, while allowing flowering plants to grow rich in nectar and other key nutrients that serve as food for our pollinator friends during a time when needed most. In urban areas, like Edina, pollinator habitat and food sources are relatively sparse this time of year—by joining No Mow May, you can help support the health and diversity of native pollinator populations by providing the resources needed for pollinators to thrive.

June - Return to Mow Tips: When you start mowing again in June, learn from the UMN about mowing best practices for a healthy lawn. Best practices for bringing your grass back down to a reasonable height while keeping it healthy include:

  • Mow late in the day or when grass is dry

  • Mow down in small increments (never more than 1/3 of grass blade’s height at one time)

  • Rake up excessive clippings to prevent them from going into streets. This protects your local water quality and keeps storm drains clear.

To Help Pollinators Year-round:

  • Mow less – instead of mowing your lawn every single week, or even multiple times a week, mow every 2 to 3 weeks. Mowing stresses your grass and creates unhealthy lawns if mowed too frequently. Lawns mowed every 3 weeks can have as much as 2.5x more lawn flowers, and support a greater number of pollinators (UMass-Amherst, 2018).

  • Mow higher – consider keeping your lawn 3.5-4.5” inches in height. Taller grass holds more moisture, is less prone to stress, and better hides plants like clover and dandelion that pollinators need.

  • Water your lawn about 1” (in volume) per week in the early morning or late evening, and avoid watering during rain events.

  • Water your lawn all at once rather than in smaller quantities more frequently. This can disrupt pollinators and other insects, and stress your lawn during periods of drought.

  • Allow some flowering plants to persist in your lawn; tolerate clover and dandelions. To provide plenty of food sources from spring and throughout fall, avoid de-weeding your entire yard – no need to pull up all those ‘evil’ patches of clover or rid your lawn of all those ‘pesky’ dandelions. These are a favorite food source for many of MN’s threatened pollinators, including several bee species.

  • Limit or cease use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Use organic sources sparingly instead.

  • Ready to re-seed your grass lawn? Consider prioritizing fine fescue over Kentucky bluegrass. Fine fescue is slow growing, while KY bluegrass requires more frequent mowing.

  • Consider applying for Minnesota’s Lawns to Legumes program.

  • Register for No Mow May 2023

    293 responses

    Register Today to participate in Edina's 2023 No Mow May program! 

    Residential properties that are owner-occupied or occupied by renters who receive landlord consent can participate. All other properties must comply with Edina's City Code related to turf and weed management. The program allows residents of owner-occupied or rented homes to avoid mowing their lawns for the month of May, to support pollinators in the community. Once registered, participants can pick up a yard sign from Edina City Hall to show their support for No Mow May (*signs are subject to availability after May 1st, 2023). 

    Complete Registration
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  • CLOSED: Registration for 2022 No Mow May has concluded.

    2022 Registration [CLOSED]

    1182 responses

    As of May 15th, 2022 Registration for this year's No Mow May program has CLOSED. 

    Thanks to all for participating in the program's inaugural year! 

    Register to participate in Edina's 2022 No Mow May program. Residential properties that are owner-occupied or occupied by renters who receive landlord consent can participate. All other properties must comply with Edina's City Code related to turf and weed management. The program allows residents of owner-occupied or rented homes to avoid mowing their lawns for the month of May, to support pollinators in the community. Once registered, participants can pick up a yard sign from Edina City Hall to show their support for No Mow May (*signs are subject to availability after May 1st, 2022). 

    Missed out on Edina's No Mow May yard signs this year? Participants can print a free sign from Bee City USA's No Mow May website to display. 

    Complete Registration
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
Page last updated: 17 Mar 2023, 02:22 PM