Grow Green 

Grow Green, formerly known as No Mow May began as an initiative encouraging homeowners to implement alternative lawn care practices during spring time. No Mow May started the conversation, and Grow Green puts the ideas that blossomed from No Mow May into practice. 

Refocusing No Mow May to Grow Green expands upon the once month-long program, which originally took place during the month of May, to a season-long program beginning in April. Doing so encourages the implementation of sustainable lawncare and landscape practices all season long, rather than one month of the year. By expanding these practices, we can help provide pollinators and other local wildlife with habitat all season long! 

These actions include reducing pesticide use, reducing the frequency of mowing, introducing native plant species to your garden beds, and providing additional food/habitat resources for pollinators. The residual impacts of participating in Grow Green can include a healthier lawn ecosystem, increased pollinator populations, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from lawn mowers.

Participating in the Grow Green Program is optional.

How can you participate in Grow Green?

• Reduce mowing frequencies 
• When mowing, remove only 1/3 of the total height of the turf.
• Convert your lawn to bee lawn
• Implement a rain garden on your property 
• Install bee houses on your property 
• Reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use 
• Add native plants to your landscaping
• Adopt a boulevard or park garden space

Need help getting started? Check out our Grow Green Guidance Document!

Planning to participate in one or multiple ways? Let us know how you're Growing Green by registering for the program here! 

New in 2025: 

• NO ORDINANCE SUSPENSION: Municipal Code Sec. 30-4 will remain in place, and the requirement of lawns not to exceed eight inches in height will be enforced and participants should be aware of these regulations while adopting new practices.

• Guidance Document: This year, we added a guidance document to our educational materials surrounding Grow Green. Learn how to get started, how to go beyond "No Mow", and additional sustainable lawn care practices to take you through spring and into summer! Click HERE for a copy of the guidance document.

• Spring Into Sustainability!  Join us Wednesday, April 26th from 4-6pm at the Myrick Park Main Shelter to kick off the spring sustainability season! Guests will learn from educational seminars with master naturalists, engage with members of La Crosse Area Waters, make-and-take native seed bombs, and get registered for GROW GREEN!

• No More Yard Signs: We will no longer be providing Yard Signs. If you have signs from year’s past – we encourage you to reuse them**. If you are a new participant and would like signage to display, please use this free download to print your own poster or yard sign. 

• Bookmarks: Show your support for Grow Green by picking up your free book mark with registration! Participants must register to receive a bookmark, and can pick up their bookmark at City Hall or Black River Beach Neighborhood Center beginning April 22nd.

FAQs: 

Why should reduce my mowing practices?

• Springtime is a formative period for establishments of pollinators, when they emerge from dormancy and require flowering plants as crucial foraging habitat. Did you know there are 4,000 native bee species in the United States? Learn more about bee's here!  These opportunities are dramatically reduced with early spring grass-mowing. As grass is routinely cut, it weakens the root system. By allowing the grass to grow out, it gives the opportunity to develop a greater root system, which improves water retention and drought resiliency.

I rent a home with a lawn, am I still allowed to participate?

• Participation is subject to property owner discretion. Please contact your property manager before registering or participating in Grow Green programs. 

Is there an ordinance limiting lawn height? 

• Yes, enforcement of Municipal Code Sec. 30-4 will continue through the month of May. Code states lawns must be kept at eight inches or less.

• Anyone! Participation in Grow Green is not limited to the City of La Crosse. However, we encourage you to check with your local municipality for any codes or regulations that may pertain to lawn care and landscaping. 

Does everyone have to register?

• Registration is not required but encouraged. This allows us a better understanding of program impact and participation.

How can I register?

• You can register in person, over the phone, or online.
• For online registrations visit our Grow Green Registration Form
• For those wishing to register in person:
  • Please visit the City of La Crosse Kiosk at 400 La Crosse Street, or the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center during open hours.
• For those wishing to register over the phone:
  • Please call 608-789-7533

Looking for examples of alternative lawncare and landscaping within the city? Check out the locations below to get inspired, and Grow Green!

• Visit the Rain Garden at South Side Neighborhood Center
• Observe the Native Plantings on one of the Bluff Prairies
• Visit the Pollinator Garden at City Hall
• Observe functional plantings at Community Orchards

Where can grass clippings be placed?
Grass clippings or yard waste can be utilized in garden beds as a weed preventative and natural fertilizer. They can also be dropped off at Isle La Plume Yard Waste & Brush Site at 2000 Marco Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601; you must be a resident of the City and purchase a permit sticker to use this site.

Site Hours (Seasonal

• Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: Closed

 For special dates & closures, please visit the Brush & Yard Waste Website.

Citizen Science Programs: 
WiBee -University of Wisconsin Madison Gratton Lab
iNaturalist - Sharing & Identification of Biodiversity Information