Slow Mow Summer

With No Mow April behind us, you might be wondering what other steps you can take to help our pollinator friends.

One of the easiest things you can do is to reduce the number of times you mow your grass over the coming months. Coined Slow Mow Summer, the idea is to simply let your grass grow longer, set your mower height to a higher setting to avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the length of your grass at once, and mow your lawn in the later hours of the day when pollinators are less active. The benefit is that it allows for lawns with flowering plants (think wild violets, Dutch clovers) to provide a food source for pollinators in an otherwise food desert of manicured grass lawns. Mowing towards the evenings allows pollinators to forage safely throughout the day when they are most active. As the summer heats up, grass requires less mowing and can benefit from higher lengths to avoid being scorched by the sun.

If your lawn is void of flowering “weeds” or this isn’t the right option for you, there are many other things you can do to help support declining pollinator populations:

• Rewild a section of your yard as a native wildflower meadow. Paths can be mowed as a way to create access and define the area. Plants like the striking red Jacob Cline Bee Balm attract bees and are a favorite of hummingbirds. Planting the monarch butterflies’ host plant, milkweed, will help re-establish lost habitat and create a food source for the next generation of hatching monarch caterpillars.
• Plant flowering native trees and shrubs. Native trees such as oaks provide food and habitat to many pollinators and other important insects and animals. Planting early blooming trees this year, like Eastern Redbud, Serviceberry, Black Cherry, and Flowering Dogwood can increase food availability for early emerging pollinators next year. Take advantage of the City of College Park's free tree planting program for residents.
• Leave the stump behind. When large trees die and need to be taken down, consider leaving the trunk at a height of six feet. This can significantly lower your removal costs while providing a future, natural bee hotel for native bees. Planting native perennials around the stump can provide a point of interest and the plants benefit from the rich soil as the tree decays.
• Refrain from pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide usage. Many pesticides kill or harm pollinators and other beneficial insects through direct contact, touching flowers or leaves that have been treated, or laying eggs on contaminated nesting materials. Look for natural alternatives and other control methods such using companion planting to attract beneficial insects or deter pests. Similarly, the presence of undesirable weeds may indicate a specific nutrient deficiency. Use apps to identify what insect or weed is a menace in your yard and search for less harmful ways to address the problem.
• Transition your lawn equipment to electric. This may not seem like an obvious approach. However, every action taken to reduce localized air and noise pollution is good for the environment, good for public health, and good for the pollinators. The City has an Electric Lawn Care Rebate program, if interested, check out the City’s Lawn Care Equipment Rebate Program. The City of College Park has recently hired a new landscaping company that operates 100% electric equipment. An added bonus is that the City can now opt out of mowing in times of drought to prevent mowing over dead or dry grass that creates dust plumes.

If you are interested in receiving FREE native plants, check out College Park Bee City USA’s table at an upcoming Hollywood Farmers Market, we will be there on May 17th, June 21st, August 30th, September 27th, and November 8th.

There are countless ways to help our pollinators. Whether it’s Slow Mow Summer or some other action, find what works for you.