The sun is finally shining in and around the Twin Cities and the gardening tools have been pulled out of the corner of the shed. It’s amazing how quickly trees start budding and foliage starts popping up from the ground. Soon bees will start buzzing around looking for nectar.
These bees are why we suggest that you keep your lawnmower in the shed for a bit longer and participate in No Mow May. Doesn’t sound like a landscape company would be suggesting not mowing … but encouraging our pollinator populations is equally important!
There are other spring lawn care tasks that are beneficial in making sure your yard is healthy all summer long. Is your yard ready? Contact us to book your spring clean-up, help recover dead grass patches, or plant some pollinator-promoting plants in your garden beds.
Why Participate in No Mow May?
By not mowing in May, you’ll save time and energy! This also allows native flowers to grow which results in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators this summer.
The No Mow May campaign is spearheaded by nature charity, Plantlife, and they’re encouraging people to be a part to keep gardens wild, promote native plant growth, and help pollinators store energy for the summer.
Studies, from previous years, show that if you mow less in May, the pollen count on your lawn can skyrocket. If you’re keen, you can participate in the pollen count by registering for Every Flower Counts at plantlife.org.uk
Other Benefits of No Mow May
1. Lawn Health
Often with the eagerness of spring, we pull out the lawn mower too soon and don’t allow our grass to establish itself before mowing. If you cut your grass too short, too early, it actually makes your lawn more susceptible to disease, pests, and weeds. If you do mow this may, wait till later in the month or your grass is at least two inches tall.
The Rock Solid team often waits till late May to mow your lawn. However, you’ll still see our trucks in early May doing yard clean-up, installing new outdoor hardscaping, or prepping your sprinkler systems.
2. Native Plant Growth
If you’re not participating in No Mow May and prefer a more polished yard, consider planting a pollinator garden in your backyard. Native plants create amazing garden borders and offer nectar and seed that support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Even a small pollinator garden can help numerous pollinators and a variety of insect species to thrive.
Don’t forget to top dress and mulch your garden beds!
Spring Lawn Care To-Do’s
If you choose to participate and let your grass grow, there are other important spring lawn care tasks to tackle this spring. Or save the hassle and get one of the Rock Solid team do it for you!
- Task 1 — Rake any decaying leaves and remove any excess thatch. Removing the thatch helps air, water and nutrients permeate the soil, and promotes growth. Dethatch by lightly raking the dead patches of grass in your yard to loosen up the debris.
- Task 2 — Repair any dead patches or vole damage in the lawn by seeding. Make sure to keep the seed moist.
- Task 3 — Turn on the Sprinklers. In the spring, when the evening are still cool, water in the mornings. The cool evening might cause fungal problems because evening waterings leave the grass wet and cold. Using an irrigation system helps make sure you’re watering enough and effectively. It also helps reduce water waste and your water bill!
- Task 4 — Start planning your new landscaping such as a new outdoor living space, retaining wall, or garden bed.
Have you pulled out your lawn mower yet? Do you have patches of dead grass or experienced a vole problem over the winter? We can help fix you damaged yard and do the spring maintenance it needs to survive all summer.
