No Mow 'Til Mother's Day

The Village of Villa Park and the Environmental Concerns Commission are once again encouraging residents to participate in the "No Mow "Til Mother's Day" initiative. This program invites residents to avoid mowing their lawn - or a portion of their lawn - through the first week of May to help support the local ecology, the habitats of pollinators, and area wildlife.

The Village Board approved a period of abeyance for weed enforcement which will end on Mother's Day (May 11, 2025).  Code enforcement will be suspended for excessive heights of weeds, plants, and grass as nuisances during this period. Residents participating will not need to sign up or register with the Village to participate. Residents interested in participating may pick up signage from Village Hall, while supplies last. Village Hall is open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  

The purpose of the "No Mow 'Til Mother's Day" program is to better accommodate springtime propagation of flowering plants (e.g. clover and dandelions) and also inspect those that serve as food for birds and pollinator plants. In addition to benefiting pollinators, reducing mowing frequency will save water, help your lawn become more resilient to drought, and reduce emissions from gas-powered lawn equipment that often lacks the emission reduction equipment found on larger engines.  

"No Mow 'Til Mother's Day" FAQ

Overview What is the “No Mow ‘til Mother’s Day” campaign and why is Villa Park supporting the effort?

The Village and the Environmental Concerns Commission want to raise awareness throughout the community of opportunities to support our environment and local habitats for wildlife. No Mow ‘til Mother’s Day invites residents to avoid mowing their lawn or a portion of their lawn through Mother’s Day to help support the local ecology, pollinator habitats, and other wildlife. 

How the Program Works How do residents get involved?

The Program allows grass on private property and the parkway to exceed the maximum height until Mother’s Day. Residents participating will not need to sign up with the Village.  Signage will be available at Village Hall for residents who are interested in displaying their participation in the program.  Signage will be available on Wednesday, April  17 to be picked up.  Residents are not required to display a sign indicating participation.

Do I have to let my entire lawn grow?

No. You can choose to let the grass grow on your entire lawn, including the parkway, or just a small section of it. If you feel your lawn is too long, you may cut it at any time. This initiative is about supporting habitats for pollinators, but also about raising awareness of the small things we can do as a community to create a better environment for pollinators. 

What can I do if dandelions go to seed in my yard?

If a yellow dandelion goes from a flower to a seed, it is no longer a benefit to pollinators, so please feel free to cut off the seed head so the seeds don’t have a chance to spread. There are usually younger dandelions beginning to flower below the seeding plants, so try to cut the seeding dandelions individually or set your mower deck on a higher level to avoid cutting the new yellow dandelion flowers.  

Code Enforcement: What if a neighbor complains about my grass getting too long?

The Village will begin enforcement of the Village Code provision following Mother's Day.   We ask for your patience during this program as it aims to benefit our local ecology. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Village at (630) 834-8500. 

Do I have to cut my grass on Mother’s Day?

Code enforcement activities will resume after Mother's Day. 

What else can I do to help pollinators?

Want a more sustainable solution to No Mow 'Til Mother's Day? How about planting native gardens as a lawn alternative? It’s a great long-term solution to enhancing our bee population, as well as other beloved pollinators. Maybe you can reduce the size of your lawn to accommodate a small native garden, filled with easy-to-maintain perennials that will thrive in our area and help our pollinators populate. Here are some other helpful tips: 

• Avoid using pesticides
• Plant colorful native wildflowers
• Grow flowers in clusters
• Plant a wide variety of flowering plants that bloom at different times throughout the year
• Plant trees, herbs, flowering fruits, and vegetables 
• Leave some areas, even small areas, undisturbed 
• Create a nesting shelter 

Additional resources on pollinators and conservation efforts can be found at:

• The Morton Arboretum
• University of Illinois Extension
• Bee City USA Pollinator Conservation
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - How to Build a Pollinator Garden