No Mow May in 2024: Pros and cons, which metro Detroit communities are participating

Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press

April showers bring May flowers ... as long as you don't mow them down.

"No Mow May" is a relatively new movement that involves − you guessed it − letting your lawnmower and other yardwork tools gather dust throughout the whole month of May. In doing so, it offers a quick and easy food source to pollinators as they come out of hibernation and saves you from the weekly outdoor chore, but it does raise questions about what exactly happens when you don't cut your grass.

Here's what you need to know about No Mow May.

No Mow May is a growing trend that involves not cutting your grass through the whole month of May.
No Mow May is a growing trend that involves not cutting your grass through the whole month of May.

Pros of No Mow May

As previously mentioned, some plants that we perceive as weeds, such as dandelions, white clover and ground ivy, actually provide significant amounts of nectar and pollen to pollinators, so letting them grow longer instead of cutting them down can prove to be a big help to bees and other pollinators.

As a side effect, No Mow May can help to save money off of your water bill. Tall grasses grow deeper roots that absorb more water from soil, so less water is needed to effectively quench your lawn's thirst.

More: Summer forecast: Expect a hotter May, June, July in metro Detroit

Plus, who's going to complain about not having to mow their lawn?

Cons of No Mow May

One of the biggest worries with No Mow May is that those same weeds that you let grow will quickly spread, ruining the looks of your lawn and weakening the grass.

On a different note, if you let your grass get a little too long, it might be difficult to effectively mow it down when the time comes, making it more of a hassle in the long run.

Pollinators aren't the only bugs that profit off No Mow May; tall grass is also where ticks thrive.

And lastly, your community may prohibit your ability to participate in No Mow May; Witch's Hat Brewing Co., for example, is observing No Mow May despite receiving a citation from the City of South Lyon. More on which communities prohibit this later.

An alternative: Mow less

Instead of No Mow May, you can participate in mow-less May or an entire slow-mow summer instead. That way, you can dodge the cons while still letting pollinators reap the benefits.

  • In case No Mow May isn't allowed in your city, mowing less frequently can let you participate while also avoiding potential fines.

  • It will let the flowers bloom before they mature enough to spread seeds, like a loophole to the weed problem. For example, letting yellow dandelions dot your lawn makes an easy lunch for pollinators, but as soon as the petals are replaced by fluffy white seedlings, it's time to roll out the lawnmower.

  • Trimmed grass will reduce a tick problem, nonetheless.

More: DNR releases morel mushroom hunting map: Best spots to find them

What metro Detroit communities are participating in No Mow May?

Detroit-based nonprofit Bees in the D teamed up with Uprise Labs to create a map of metro Detroit and Washtenaw County communities that are participating or prohibiting No Mow May.

Participating in No Mow May with no limitations:

  • Royal Oak

  • Ferndale

  • Ann Arbor

Participating in No Mow May with conditions:

  • Detroit: According to city officials, Detroit will consider cancelling tickets for overgrown lots if homeowners are participating in the no mow May movement with no indication of longstanding neglect.

  • Grosse Pointe Farms: Up to 6 inches in height

  • Ecorse: Up to 12 inches in height

  • Wyandotte: Up to 12 inches in height

  • Livonia: Up to 9 inches in height

  • Ypsilanti: Up to 10 inches in height

  • Superior Charter Township: Up to 10 inches in height

What metro Detroit communities prohibit No Mow May?

These metro Detroit communities prohibit No Mow May:

  • Highland Park

  • Hamtramck

  • Grosse Pointe Park

  • Grosse Pointe City

  • Grosse Pointe Shores

  • Grosse Pointe Woods

  • Harper Woods

  • St. Clair Shores

  • Eastpointe

  • Roseville

  • Clinton Township

  • Warren

  • Center Line

  • Sterling Heights

  • Hazel Park

  • Madison Heights

  • Clawson

  • Troy

  • Oak Park

  • Huntington Woods

  • Berkley

  • Birmingham

  • Bloomfield Hills

  • Southfield

  • Lathrup Village

  • Beverly Hills

  • Farmington Hills

  • Novi

  • Northville

  • Plymouth

  • Plymouth Charter Township

  • Canton

  • Dearborn

  • Dearborn Heights

  • Redford

  • Garden City

  • Inkster

  • Westland

  • City of Wayne

  • Romulus

  • Melvindale

  • Allen Park

  • Lincoln Park

  • Taylor

  • Southgate

  • Grosse Isle

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: No Mow May 2024: Pros and cons, which communities allow it

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