What Happens When You Don't Mow the Lawn for a Month

May 7, 2026, 4:02 am | Read time: 2 minutes

May is considered the peak season for well-maintained lawns–but ironically, the “No Mow May” initiative is calling for lawnmowers to be left idle. While this sounds beneficial for insects and biodiversity, many lawn care professionals are skeptical. Does a month without mowing really lead to more biodiversity, or does it even harm the local greenery in the long run? myHOMEBOOK consulted a lawn expert to assess the initiative’s value and what garden owners should consider.

The Idea Behind the “No Mow May” Initiative

The “No Mow May” initiative originated in the United Kingdom and encourages people not to mow their lawns in May to give wild plants and insects more space. This allows plants like dandelions, clover, and daisies to grow and bloom, providing essential food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. At the same time, the campaign aims to shift perspectives: away from perfectly manicured ornamental lawns, which offer little ecological benefit, toward natural areas that serve as habitats for animals and promote biodiversity in one’s own garden.

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What an Expert Says About “No Mow May”

“A lawn consisting only of grasses will not become a wildflower meadow even after four weeks without mowing, and thus remains unattractive to insects that rely on flowers,” explains Dr. Harald Nonn, former chairman of the German Lawn Society, in response to a myHOMEBOOK inquiry. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual how they design their garden and lawn areas, whether the green space consists solely of grasses or also includes herbs. “The type and intensity of use determine the mowing intervals,” the expert adds.

A Compromise for the Better

One doesn’t have to live by one extreme or the other; good compromises can be found, writes the Environmental Advice Service. “It’s important not to mow the entire area at once, so animals have a place to retreat.” It’s also crucial to use the right tools. “Mowing with a scythe, hand mower, and grass shears is more likely to spare butterflies, bees, and grasshoppers than mowing with a lawnmower or motor scythe,” the Environmental Advice Service explains.

Additionally, it’s advisable to mow when insects are not active, such as on cool or overcast days.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.