Starkville urges reduced mowing to boost wildflowers, pollinators
STARKVILLE, Miss. — City officials are encouraging residents to mow less this spring as part of a plan to let naturally occurring wildflowers flourish and provide food for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife emerging after winter.
The City of Starkville said it will implement a reduced mowing approach in select areas this season to allow spring blooms to develop. Officials said the strategy also beautifies neighborhoods and reduces costs associated with fuel, herbicides and routine mowing.
“We’re fortunate in Mississippi to have so many wildflowers that appear this time of year,” said Chris Smiley, director of Sanitation and Environmental Services. A variety of species commonly appear in local lawns and green spaces, including spring beauty, daisy fleabane, ranunculus, oxalis, jonquil, phlox, violets and clover.
Many of those plants act as companion plants alongside turfgrass and can help improve soil health, reduce pests and suppress weeds. Experts note protecting wildflowers can support pollinators, which have declined in recent decades because of habitat loss, pesticide use and invasive species; research suggests about 40% of invertebrate pollinators could face extinction in coming decades.
Bob Brzuszek, professor emeritus in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University, said small changes in mowing habits can help. “It’s not a lack of care if you don’t mow — you’re actually caring about pollinators,” Brzuszek said, suggesting homeowners delay mowing for a week or two, mow around patches of flowers or plant native wildflower seeds to encourage biodiversity.
City officials said the reduced mowing strategy highlights Starkville’s natural beauty while supporting a healthier local ecosystem.
