No Mow May

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No Mow May supports all of Minnesota's pollinators, including 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.

No registration is required to participate in No Mow May. The City of Edina passed Ordinance 2023-07 on June 6, 2023 to allow planned landscapes and natural areas to replace turf grass on residential properties, including eliminating the enforcement of tall turf grasses and weeds for the month of May, plus a grace period of two weeks for residential properties. Residents can read the full updated ordinance and staff report here

Attend a Resilient Yards Workshop and receive resources and one-on-one guidance for planting for pollinators and clean water, designing with native plants, redirecting runoff, and more. After registering, you'll immediately gain access to self-paced online learning modules that prepare you for a live session with expert landscape designers. Learn more and sign up on the Blue Thumb website: bluethumb.org/events


June Return to Mowing Tips: Lawns must come back into compliance by June 15. 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:

  • Plant native species of plants, trees, shrubs and more to provide the greatest benefit to pollinators. Flowering plants, grasses and sedges help to provide nectar for food and nutrition as well as habitat. Leave plant debris (fallen leaves, stems, trimmings, etc.) inside your garden beds or in a uncovered pile or bin kept outside until mid-June or later to provide shelter, allow hibernating pollinators the time to emerge, and a place for many of our threatened native bee species to nest (ground nesters and wood nesters). 
  • 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’ dandelionsThese 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.  

No Mow May supports all of Minnesota's pollinators, including 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.

No registration is required to participate in No Mow May. The City of Edina passed Ordinance 2023-07 on June 6, 2023 to allow planned landscapes and natural areas to replace turf grass on residential properties, including eliminating the enforcement of tall turf grasses and weeds for the month of May, plus a grace period of two weeks for residential properties. Residents can read the full updated ordinance and staff report here

Attend a Resilient Yards Workshop and receive resources and one-on-one guidance for planting for pollinators and clean water, designing with native plants, redirecting runoff, and more. After registering, you'll immediately gain access to self-paced online learning modules that prepare you for a live session with expert landscape designers. Learn more and sign up on the Blue Thumb website: bluethumb.org/events


June Return to Mowing Tips: Lawns must come back into compliance by June 15. 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:

  • Plant native species of plants, trees, shrubs and more to provide the greatest benefit to pollinators. Flowering plants, grasses and sedges help to provide nectar for food and nutrition as well as habitat. Leave plant debris (fallen leaves, stems, trimmings, etc.) inside your garden beds or in a uncovered pile or bin kept outside until mid-June or later to provide shelter, allow hibernating pollinators the time to emerge, and a place for many of our threatened native bee species to nest (ground nesters and wood nesters). 
  • 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’ dandelionsThese 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.  
  • CLOSED: Registration for 2023 No Mow May has concluded.

    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 Public Works (7450 Metro Blvd).

    This project has been archived.

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

    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. 

    This project has been archived.

    Share (Closed) 2022 Registration on Facebook Share (Closed) 2022 Registration on Twitter Share (Closed) 2022 Registration on Linkedin Email (Closed) 2022 Registration link