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Research has scientists re-thinking the popular No Mow May idea
The idea of not mowing a lawn for a month is meant to promote flowers for early season pollinators.
ST PAUL, Minn. — The snow is gone and that yard is calling your name – or maybe not.
The popular idea called No Mow May appeals to folks trying to do what’s best for our planet by doing nothing at all.
“The premise behind No Mow May is can we provide a more suitable habitat for pollinators by not mowing in the month of May,” said the University of Minnesota Extension Turfgrass Educator Jon Trappe. “But there’s still some questions about whether there actually is benefit.”
Trappe says No Mow May took off in 2020. The idea was once backed up by research out of a Wisconsin university that found not mowing promotes flowers for pollinators early in the season.
Except Trappe says now that data is now being retracted.
“We don’t know for sure if there’s any benefit from not mowing in the month of May for pollinators, but we do know there could be some negative aspects, at least for our lawn,” said Trappe.
To understand why, it’s important to know grass grows excessively twice a year, including at the start of summer. Its trimmings provide nutrients to withstand drought and rising temperatures and cutting it come June, and composting the long clippings elsewhere can stress your yard even more.
“We always recommend recycling or returning the clippings and so if you are having to mow off 12 or 18 inches of lawn, that’s going to be too much at once for the lawn and the soil to be able to break down over time,” said Trappe.
He says No Mow May grew in popularity because people have come to appreciate how important pollinators are to us as a society, but also for our crops and landscape.
Besides bees, birds and butterflies are pollinators that keep most of the world’s crop plants alive that require pollination by animals.
Trappe says he fully supports promoting pollinators, he just thinks it’s worth looking at other things to do besides just not mowing.
And that includes something called a “bee lawn” that Tappe and the U of M have been working to develop for the last decade. The team has created new bee lawn seed mixes that can tolerate everything from mowing to children playing – while also making an ideal space for pollinators.
Once you have an idea of what plants you want to use, the best time to establish them is either in the spring or late fall. Tappe says your bee lawn will become less work over time but with more insect wildlife enjoyment.
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Sylvester Hudson walks with a limp and was last seen early on Saturday morning at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing elderly man last seen early on Saturday morning.
According to officials, 74-year-old Sylvester Hudson is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 130 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Hudson is possibly wearing a black hat, jeans and socks. he walks with a limp and police said he would likely appear confused or disoriented.
The missing man was last seen around 3 a.m. at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
Anyone who sees Hudson is asked to contact officials in one of the following ways:
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
MINNETRISTA, Minn — Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Gale Woods Farm.
Located on Whaletail Lake in Minnetrista, Gale Woods Farm offers visitors an educational opportunity to gain an understanding of agriculture, food production, and land stewardship.
Fall Fest will be celebrated Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
Admission is free as is parking which is available throughout the park.
The mocktail is inspired by pumpkin pie spice and Minnesota Grown apple cider.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — In anticipation of the influx of holiday parties and alcohol consumption that happens in November and December, consumers are increasingly participating in “Sober October.”
A lot of ready-to-drink, new, seasonal, clean non-alcoholic options are in store now, including:
- Nozeco (pronounced like prosecco!) is a sparkling drink made from dealcoholized wine, maintaining the true flavor and experience of wine, without any next-day consequences.
- Sayso looks like a tea sachet that you simply “steep” in cold water (or alcohol).
- Mingle RTD cans are naturally infused, low-calorie botanical beverages in your favorite cocktail flavors, with no artificial sweeteners
- Recess Zero Proof cans are low-sugar, low-calorie mocktails infused with 10mg of naturally occurring caffeine from guayusa and balancing adaptogens like L-theanine and lemon balm.
We’re celebrating Sober October with a mocktail inspired by pumpkin pie spice and one of fall’s best bevvies – fresh pressed, Minnesota Grown apple cider! This is a great drink for sipping at a tailgate, a bonfire or a Halloween porch party.
SPARKLY CIDER-PUMPKIN MOCKTAILS
- 2 tbsp. superfine sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
- pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon wedge
- ½ cup Kowalski’s Minnesota Grown Apple Cider
- ¼ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tbsp. Kowalski’s Cinnamon or Bourbon Maple Syrup
- 2 tsp. Kowalski’s Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp. Kowalski’s Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract or Paste
- ice
- non-alcoholic sparkling wine (such as Nozeco) cold, to taste
- fresh Minnesota Grown apple slices, for garnish
- Pour sugar onto a flat-rimmed dish; whisk in 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and cayenne.
- Moisten the rims of 2 martini or coupe glasses with the lemon wedge; dip the rims in spiced sugar. Set glasses aside.
- Add cider, pumpkin purée, syrup, lemon juice, vanilla and remaining pumpkin pie spice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice to fill the shaker ⅔ full; shake until the mixture is very cold (about 30 sec.).
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer evenly into the prepared glasses.
- Top each glass evenly with wine; stir gently.
- Garnish mocktails with fresh apple slices.
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