Every spring, the gardening and sustainability side of the internet explodes with posts: Practice No Mow May! Let your lawn bloom! Support pollinators! But does a lawn and garden initiative begun in the UK have the same environmental impact in North America? That’s the subject under scrutiny in this episode as we examine whether well-meaning horticulture advice can be exported around the world. 

This week, Sean comes armed with research while Erin is equipped with curiosity. Is practicing No Mow May in Ontario helpful, harmful, or neutral? Does a lawn full of imported dandelions somehow hinder our pollinators? What native plants should they be visiting in spring? Sean shares the history of the No Mow May initiative, the research that has been undertaken in recent years, and the nuance needed to consider non-pollinating insects as well. And of course our hosts both make sure to send you on your way equipped with ideas for lawn care and landscaping that really do result in healthy soil and thriving wildlife and insects for your Ontario garden. 

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Credits

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Citations

The World Wildlife Fund’s suggestions for better practices than No Mow May

Jakubowski, E. (2024, May 1). Does ‘No Mow May’ really help pollinators? – WWF.CA. WWF.CA. https://wwf.ca/stories/no-mow-may-help-pollinators/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10648121956&gbraid=0AAAAADtP0wTPs9QPnyYBcokUaZZXTAaOt&gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGLUOHJp-q4gXd_Nb2UdOWbyxzZeeJUjZRQwsA1thuLTxyKe-4roM0hoC5YcQAvD_BwE

A discussion of what will pop up from your lawn’s seed bank if you don’t mow

Vogt, B. (2023, April 9). Just say no to no mow may. Monarch Gardens. https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/just-say-no-to-no-mow-may



Timestamps

00:12 Intro

2:06 What’s Growing On: Erin’s Spring Bulbs

3:22 : What’s Growing On: Sean’s Client Gardens…with Erin!

6:05 Water Break

06:15 What is No Mow May (and Mo-Mo May)?

07:42 : Does No Mow May Work in North America?

08:15 The Harms of Not Mowing in May in Ontario

11:15 Our Native Pollinators Visit Shrubs in May

12:38 Studies Conducted on No Mow May

14:10 Tree Seedlings vs. Meadows (Who Will Win?)

15:00 Lawn-Cutting Equipment Options

18:15 Pros of No Mow May

19:50 How to Help Your Lawn Support Insects

23:46 Converting Lawn to Wildflowers

30:25 Better Ways to Help Pollinators

38:00 Doing Without Pesticides, Herbicides, and Synthetic Fertilizers

43:00 Say No to Absolutes, Usually

44:23 Conclusion and Contact Us