Michigan ‘No Mow May’ Myth Leaves Many Homeowners Misled

This year, April showers meant multiple mowings for most Michiganders. Grass that is usually just starting to stretch its blades by this time of year would need to be baled and stacked if left untrimmed. If you or your neighbor have yet to fire up the ol' Toro for the back-and-forth yard march this year because you're waiting for June, so you can take part in No Mow May... as well-intended as the original idea was, it accomplishes nothing.

RELATED: East Lansing Ends 'No Mow May': Here's What's Replacing It

Originally created by the United Kingdom's conservation charity Plantlife in 2019, No Mow May was intended to increase wildflower abundance and nectar sources for pollinators like bees. It spread to the United States in 2020, first adopted by Appleton, Wisconsin, and later spreading across the country.

Why Experts Say ‘No Mow May’ Falls Short

No Mow May is a myth. The impact on pollinators is minimal, given that most lawns in Michigan have little more than grass. Sure, there's the occasional weed here or there, but not enough to sustain Michigan's bee population. Cities like East Lansing, which went along for the No Mow May ride for years, have opted out of the practice in 2026.

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Instead, experts now recommend setting aside a section of your lawn and letting it grow wild. No fertilizers, no weed killers, just let Michigan Mother Nature take the wheel and watch it transform into a pollinator paradise. Bonus: there's less to mow on those scorching August afternoons.

What Michigan Residents Should Do Instead

Michigan State University (MSU) recommends setting aside 10-30% of your total yard to wilding or pollinator gardens. This gives residents a real option now that No Mow May is no more in many cities, while giving neighbors something beautiful to look at, rather than a front line with knee-high grass ready for harvest.