Should I mow my pollinator garden?
Question:
I’ve planted flowers and left my yard unmown for several years for a pollinator garden. Some of my neighbors think I should mow it this year. Should I? If yes, how short?
Answer:
I’m assuming the issue is whether mowing is beneficial to the pollinator garden, and not that your neighbors want you to mow to remove the pollinator garden entirely (which would be a shame). I reached out to my colleague, Lynne Holland, who helps run our pollinator garden certification program. Her reply:
“Mowing Pollinator Habitats is generally done after the first hard frost of the season. A lot of time the “mowing” is left in place or piled nearby to allow for winter habitat for the over-wintering pollinators. This resource from Connecticut is pretty good. Waiting until after the first hard frost allows for seed dispersal (or collection). It also gives the perennial plants the longest possible season to gather energy for overwintering. And a good time to get the “hygiene” for the site in order, removing diseased foliage or as noted, creating winter habitat, while there’s less chance of diseases or insects spreading.”
For mowing height, I would recommend setting the mower at its highest setting.