“April showers bring May flowers.”

In Salisbury Township, they also bring “No Mow May.”

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners at its April 9 meeting voted unanimously 5-0 to designate May 2026 as “No Mow May.”

What is “No Mow May” and why did the township commissioners back it?

Let’s go to the April 15 meeting of the Salisbury Township Environmental Advisory Council, which recommended the resolution.

“It allows the dandelions to bloom so that the pollinators have something to eat,” Maria Rodale, who is on the EAC, said at the meeting.

“In addition, it allows the butterflies and fireflies to be born,” Alexander Arruda, EAC chairperson, said.

“I have wild violets and wild strawberries in my yard,” Heather Lipkin, Salisbury Township Commissioner and EAC liaison, said.

Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and birds facilitate the reproduction of 75% of flowering plants and 35% of global food crops, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Kerry Rabold, Salisbury Township Director of Community Development and EAC secretary, said that during May, the Salisbury Township Code Enforcement Office will not issue notices for long grass and weed violations.

“The township passed a resolution. We will not be enforcing the 6-inch grass height limit,” Rabold said, adding, “We’re not enforcing that it must be mowed.”

“It’s optional. They can choose to not mow their lawn or mow their lawn. It’s an optional thing,” Rabold continued.

“The word ‘optional’ is going to be key,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Gorman, who attended the EAC meeting, said.

“If they have a corner property, it can’t be more than 18-inches [high] because of sight regulations,” Rabold said.

Township residents, especially those who own corner properties, are encouraged to maintain clear sight lines for safety and keep areas around walkways and homes trimmed to help minimize pests like ticks.

“You can’t have pests in there, such as a rat’s nest,” Rabold said.

“We’ll promote it again and we’ll send out another email,” Rabold said of “No Mow May.”

By the way, the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” has a centuries-old pedigree.

According to Michelle Yastremsky, on the website, 1-800-Flowers.com, the phrase is said to have originated in a 1157 poem by Thomas Tusser.

States Yastremsky: “The poem can be found in the April section of a collection of his [Tusser] writings titled ‘A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.’ It goes: Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers.”

Yastremsky noted that poet Geoffrey Chaucer had a version of the adage in his “The Canterbury Tales” (1387-1400).

The paean to spring is not to be confused with the Japanese manga magazine series (2016 - 2022) and Sony Pictures Crunchyroll anime romantic comedy TV show, “April Shower Bring May Flowers” (beginning 2025).

In other business at the April 15 EAC meeting, the concept of 250 minutes of service to honor the America250 anniversary was discussed. The commemoration is of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, culminating July 4.

Salisbury Township events for America250 includes a cleanup, tentatively set for June 6, of Walking Purchase Park, coordinated with Valley Mountain Bikers, the Salisbury Township Public Works Department, Salisbury Township School District and the public, whereby non-township and school district employees could each volunteer for up to 250 minutes.

The EAC voted 4-0 to approve a motion to support the Walking Purchase Park cleanup and allow the township staff to coordinate.

Josh Buckallew made the motion, seconded by Arruda, to bring the motion to a vote.

Other township events for Amerca250 include a township time capsule and Franko Park concerts in May, with AM Radio and in September, with The Large Flowerheads.

The Salisbury Township Comprehensive Plan, which is being updated, was discussed. A draft of the plan has been reviewed by a township committee.

The plan is to be made available for public review in mid-May on the township website and in the municipal building.

Public input will be sought at planners’ meetings and at a public hearing.

The Salisbury Township Planning Commission and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will review the plan.

The comprehensive plan could be adopted at an August board of commissioners’ meeting.

The EAC tabled discussion of “Bird Town USA,” with plans to have a representative of the organization address the EAC.

The EAC is next scheduled to meet 7 p.m. June 17, meeting room, municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

The 7 p.m. April 22 Salisbury Township Planning Commission meeting is canceled.

The 7 p.m. April 23 Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners meeting is canceled

The Salisbury Township Volunteer Recognition Dinner is scheduled 5:30 p.m. April 23 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.