No Mow May – Glendale’s 2022 Pilot Program

In April, 2022, the Common Council approved a pilot program for 2022 to protect the endangered honeybee and bumblebee population by promoting property owners to not mow their yards in May. The month of May is when pollinators emerge from hibernation. By not mowing, bees will find clover, dandelions and other flowering plants to feed from.
 
As part of the Common Council action, they directed staff to not enforce the maximum 8-inch height lawn limit for residents’ yards in the month of May, 2022. However, lawns must still be in compliance with the height restrictions in rights-of-way that might hinder driver’s vision. All other property maintenance is in full effect and will be enforced.

Here is how the pilot program will function in Glendale this year:
1. Residents are encouraged to not mow or dig in their yards during the month of May. Digging disturbs hibernating bees. Mowing cuts down their food sources.
2. No Mow May is still bound by the limits of our Native Planting Ordinance. That means that rights-of-way that hinder driver line of sight must still be trimmed down, particularly at corner lots.
3. All yards must be brought into full compliance by June 7. Keep in mind that if we have an especially wet May, lawns may get quite tall. Residents will need to judge at what point their mowers might not handle tall grass, and then cut their lawn earlier than June 1, if necessary.
4. The city will NOT be picking up grass clippings or hay. Those who participate will need to take care of their own composting or mulching.
5. This is entirely voluntary.
 
Residents can opt not to mow or can mow as normal; both are your right. The City will still be mowing medians and other public property.

If No Mow May is successful and does not get out-of-hand in 2022, we will look to implement it more widely in 2023, with homeowners registering to participate in the future.

For more information about other Wisconsin communities’ experiences with No Mow May, here is a New York Times article.
 
If you have additional questions, please feel free to email Mayor Bryan Kennedy or Director of Public Works Charlie Imig at bryan.kennedy@glendalewi.gov or c.imig@glendalewi.gov.