Illinois Towns are Allowing People Not to Mow Til Mother’s Day?

As we prepare to spring forward this weekend, with an eye on Spring officially beginning in less than two weeks, you are probably thinking about garden and yard management and plans. Some Illinois communities are encouraging their residents not to mow until Mother’s Day (May 11).

“No Mow ‘til Mother’s Day” or "No Mow May" or "Low Mow May" is an initiative to encourage people to give pollinators a chance to get a solid start to the season. Early in spring many flowers aren’t blooming yet, but weeds will flower quicker providing places for bees and other pollinators to find nectar.

The concept is being applied in several areas in Illinois. Westmont, Lombard, Franklin Park, Glenview and Villa Park to name a handful that popped up with a quick Google query. If you want to participate, you need to sign up on your city’s website (if they participate) as in many cities you can be fined for letting your grass get too tall. You may also choose to not mow in a particular section of your yard (perhaps back yard) over that time window to help the bees.

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Some people are choosing to forgo traditional lawns all together. Planting clover in their yards instead, which the bees love as do rabbits. Others have decided to English style yard gardens with far more flowers and plants than just grass. We have done both at our house. Planting clover with several flowering plants in the front yard, and we're not the only ones in our neighborhood with this approach.

Check at your cities website to see if they participate. It may be on the Parks and Recreation Dept page. You may also want to find out if your Home Owners Association in your neighborhood is aware of this plan, or maybe even prohibit it. Finally, look at Bee City USA website for more info.