To Mow or Hoe, That is the Question!
The No Mow May vs. Slow Mow Summer
What’s the deal with ‘No Mow May’ or the newly vamped ‘Slow Mow Summer’?
The ultimate goal of these movements is to draw awareness and persuade actions that benefit our native pollinators. In Spring, a variety of early blooms provide pollen & nectar sources to emerging beneficial insects.
No Mow May: Letting a grass monoculture grow in May is not beneficial in itself, unless there are small flowers like clover or violets that are present and go un-cut. Note that dandelions themselves offer pollen, but it is low-quality.
Slow Mow Summer: Alternately, mowing less throughout the summer results in less energy, water and chemicals used.
Incorporate Native Plants: To truly make the best impact on our community ecosystem, incorporate native plants throughout your landscape with a spread of seasonal bloom times. Eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides to avoid altering the balance of the food web and biodiversity..
🌺 Garden Tip of the Month 🌺
Weeding: Now is the Time
May is the month to be diligent with your weeding. Young plants are easiest to pull, especially after rain that loosens the soil. Use the ‘Picture This’ app to help identify plants; it’s not perfect but it is the best option I’ve found. Tap ‘cancel’ in the top right corner to use the ID function for free..
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Alyson was so helpful. I did a one hour walk through and learned more about gardening than I could have in 8 hours on the internet. If you are overwhelmed with a garden project, I highly recommend working with sassy daffodil!"
Alex L. - St Paul, MN."