No more mowing in May

As you drive through the Hill Country, you will have noticed the gorgeous and vibrant wildflowers teeming with life.

A recent article talked about fireflies and creating happy habitats. May has become known as “No Mow May.” This movement began in 2019 and has taken off in communities throughout the US, including homeowners, businesses and local organizations. By creating areas for native wildflower growth, you allow many pollinators and the creatures that depend on them to have a habitat and food source. This community stewardship has already been shown to help re-establish diminishing ecosystems.

Many folks in Wimberley have quietly started to follow the “Grow, Don’t Mow” movement by not mowing their yards or mowing around wildflowers. We are not advocating for unkempt lawns and out of control yards but for turning a section of your property into a native wildflower garden or incorporating some additional native plants can have big rewards for nature and sustainability.

Everyone can do something, however small. You can start by allowing wildflowers you already have to grow, germinate and seed. After they have dropped at least 50% of their seeds, you then mow. In the fall, you can seed your own wildflower zone with native seeds and then enjoy your springtime “No Mow May” zone, watching an abundance of pollinators.

Our household participated this year with a kept front yard and a back garden that we left to become a “meadow” of wildflowers. Sitting on the back porch, watching the increased number of bees, butterflies and other creatures has been amazing. And yes, we did create a leaf pile, and at night, the abundance of fireflies is illuminating.

Keep Wimberley Beautiful is working on a program to promote this movement and help “Sow and Grow” around the community. Details coming soon!

Editor’s Note: Last week’s KWB article was written by Becky Denton, not by Jackie Mattice as published.