Did you know that delaying mowing your yard can make a big difference for pollinators? Here's why 'No Mow May' is gaining popularity.
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00:00We know that in many neighborhoods across the country, a perfectly trimmed lawn is a point of pride for many families.
00:07But this spring, some families are keeping their mowers in the garage just a few weeks longer to take part in this growing trend of No Mow May.
00:17It's a simple idea with a growing impact.
00:20No Mow May started in the United Kingdom as a campaign to help pollinators thrive in early spring when they're waking up hungry from winter.
00:27But flowers are still hard to find.
00:30Spring is a critical time of year for all of our pollinating neighbors.
00:34They're starting to emerge and they're hungry and floral resources may be lacking.
00:38Lawns make up about 40 million acres in the U.S., more than any other irrigated crop.
00:44Yet traditional grass lawns offer little food or shelter to wildlife.
00:48By simply mowing less often or allowing violence, dandelions and clover to bloom, you can turn your lawn into a mini habitat.
00:56Mowing every two to three weeks, that can really help.
00:59Or choosing to shrink your lawn and add more shrubs and trees.
01:04And while letting your grass grow is a great start, experts say we can take other easy steps to make our yards even more wildlife friendly.
01:12We can plant native plants that bloom throughout the growing season.
01:16We can reduce or eliminate our pesticide use.
01:18We can protect natural nesting sites by leaving the leaves and having some bare soil.
01:25And then we can really help by spreading the word.
01:28Whether it's no-mo-may, low-mo-spring, or simply leaving a few dandelions alone, it's a small shift that can make a big difference for biodiversity.
01:37For AccuWeather, I'm Allie Reed.
01:38For AccuWeather, I'm Allie Reed.