FERNDALE, Mich. – The City of Ferndale is changing course and not participating in No Mow May after two successful years.
In its first year, more than 700 households skipped mowing the yard to grow pollinator habitats.
Ferndale leaders said they found No Mow May did not result in enough permanent change.
The city is not giving up on supporting pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds. Instead, residents are encouraged to grow native plants. Leaders said it does not have to be complicated to get started. Residents can start with one plant, and the city will supply seeds to get started.
“You can plant a native plant in a pot and put it on your step, or next to the driveway,” said Logan Applebee, the Zero Waste Systems Manager in Ferndale. “You will start to see pollinators start to gather. You don’t have to rip up the entire yard right away. You can do that, but you don’t have to. You can plant in pots, window boxes, and support pollinators right away.”
Another bonus for growing native plants is that the landscapes are self-sufficient, meaning you can save money on water and fertilizer. Skipping the extra yard work will also save you time.
Anyone interested can visit Ferndale’s website to register for a free seed mix. If you already have native plants growing, you can also register to avoid warnings about overgrown grass.
