No Mow May

What do you think would happen if you didn’t mow your yard for a month? Would neighbors complain, or be curious? Would people wonder if you have given up on life, or know some secret to living? What if not mowing, just for a month, was the best thing you could do to love our planet home…AND practice resurrection WITH creation where you live? If you don’t have a yard of grass, imagine how the idea of “no mow may” might apply where you find yourself in creation.

“No Mow May” emerged as a response to the dramatic pollinator and biodiversity declines our world has experienced over the past 50 years. Did you know that since 1970, the overall bird population in Texas has declined by over 50%, and the world insect/pollinator population has declined by the same amount?

“No Mow May” is about transforming beautifully manicured and green food-desert yards into cornucopias of thriving life and biodiversity that benefit all. We are learning more and more every day of how we live on a planet where all life is interconnected and interdependent.

I practiced “No Mow March” this year, as an experiment, and was blown away by what happened. Henbit Deadnettle and Dandelions were the first to show themselves. In the past, I would pull or mow over these without thinking. I was taught to treat them as weeds and intruders, not emissaries of hope and joy. Someone once said, “a weed is only a plant where you don’t want it.” Did you know that these two plants provide the first pollen for honeybees in Central Texas? A healthy spring start for honeybees depends on these plants. I also realized I have a forest of Pink Evening Primrose, and throughout the yard were pockets of Fleabane and False Garlic. As I took in the whole yard in bloom, I could see how critters and birds have for generations been casting and moving seeds of life everywhere. Through the light of sunrise, I could see countless ferry creatures going back and forth around the yard on invisible highways between plants. It brought to mind the words of Jesus to his friends, “consider the lilies of the field.” Was Jesus basically saying way back when…”consider no mow May…and March…and…”

In a time when human loneliness is on the rise, what if our yards can be form of community and communal life we are being invited into? My no mow March reminded me that God in creation never gives up in wanting to be in relationship and communion with me…that I am never alone. The yard has drawn neighborhood walkers and paused people in wonder…at a flower…at a Bumble Bee. When you feel lonely or the news cycle is too much…step out into, or near, an un-mowed yard and consider all that has come up and is moving around that is loving you into connection, hope, and new life.

So, I’m gearing myself up for “No Mow May!” I wonder what different flowers and plants will emerge in my yard. I wonder how much more grass I will take out this year and restore to pantries of wildflowers and native plants. The image for this post is where I took out grass and seeded a wildflower garden last fall. Douglas Tallamy, in his book “Nature’s Best Hope” offers…”there is nothing wrong with having grass in yards, but use it like an area rug, not wall-to-wall carpeting.”

Yesterday (4/20) was Easter Sunday. Tomorrow (4/22) is Earth Day. We are in the season of resurrection where God is inviting us to live in new ways with others. Join me in No Mow May. Cancel your yard service for a month or two and get ready to be surprised by wonder! You might want to just mow half the yard to compare and experiment. (Maybe share with your neighbors what you are doing so they don’t come knocking out of concern for you!) Whatever you do this May…know that God created a world that never gives up on YOU…a world that is always emerging and wanting to bloom in ways that connect, restore, nurture, and repair all into harmony and life.

Peace, Harold