NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The "No Mow May" initiative encourages homeowners to put away their lawnmowers each spring, allowing flowers and grass to flourish, thereby supporting pollinators and enhancing water retention. Notably, if a neighbor's lawn appears to resemble a wildflower field, this could be a deliberate choice rather than a lack of maintenance.

This movement has expanded to include “Let It Bloom June” and a fall counterpart called “Leave the Leaves.” Conservation and horticulture organizations emphasize that maintaining low-mowing practices year-round and selectively allowing native plants to grow can significantly conserve drinking water and spark substantial ecological changes.

Amanda Beltranmini Healen moved into her Nashville ranch house in 2016, inheriting a yard that had been meticulously manicured for sale, featuring a walnut tree, roses from a home improvement store, and short grass. Experimenting with eco-friendly gardening, she began with a 10-by-10-foot patch where she removed the grass and sowed native seeds. Subsequently, she planted goldenrods in the culvert near the street and allowed more of her yard to grow tall.

However, her natural approach didn’t sit well with local authorities. “I received a letter from the city instructing me to mow,” she recounted. A turning point came when a friend informed her about No Mow Month signage provided by the Cumberland River Compact, a local water conservation nonprofit. This allowed her to signal to the city that she was not neglecting her yard but participating in a global movement.

Today, various areas of her property reflect a permanent embrace of No Mow May. While she maintains shorter grass near the culvert and street, her backyard boasts native grasses and plants reaching up to her knees or waist. She has created a habitat for local wildlife, complete with a decomposing tree trunk that is home to numerous skinks and insects, as well as nests for birds. “I wake up to the song of the birds, especially during spring migration — it’s a cacophony in the morning and evening, especially when the mulberries come in,” she expressed.

The No Mow movement, popularized by organizations like Plantlife based in England, critiques the traditional American lawn, which is essentially modeled after English and French customs. Many now perceive these manicured lawns as wasteful monocultures that lead to excessive pesticide, fertilizer, and water use. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, outdoor spraying and irrigation account for over 30% of total household water consumption in the U.S., with even higher percentages in arid regions.

Skeptics argue that No Mow campaigns may merely be a passing trend that could lead to unchecked growth of invasive species without significantly benefiting pollinators if only observed for a limited time each year. A guide from the University of Iowa's consumer horticulture extension specialist, Aaron Steil, outlines the pros and cons of participating in No Mow efforts. It suggests that reducing mowing to every two weeks and replacing traditional turf with plants that bloom year-round can yield greater benefits without the risk of complaints or citations.

The No Mow initiative encourages homeowners to reconsider biodiversity in their gardens. Local nature organizations often provide guidance on selecting non-invasive plants suited to their respective climates and precipitation levels. Reducing mowing encourages the growth of longer-rooted native grasses and flowers, effectively improving soil drainage and increasing water retention. Jason Sprouls, the urban waters program manager for the Cumberland River Compact, noted that allowing water to be captured and stored in lawns could help reduce runoff into the stormwater system.

Beltranmini Healen is diligent in her gardening, avoiding the growth of invasive and non-native plants by regularly pruning and weeding, creating space for beneficial species. Similarly, Nashville homeowner Brandon Griffith decided years ago to halt frequent mowing and simply observe what flourished. He actively introduced flowering plants to attract various pollinators. Now, his garden buzzes with activity, attracting neighborhood children eager to catch a glimpse of butterflies.

“It’s about providing insects the necessary time to mature from their larva or egg stages,” said Griffith, noting that he has never received any complaints — in fact, some neighbors have joined in on the practice of reducing mowing during the spring months. Griffith’s yard has become a playground for his four-year-old son, who catches lizards and hunts for worms among the wild growth. “I enjoy walking around and observing the garden; it feels peaceful and relaxing,” he added.