So three years ago we stopped mowing this part of the front yard and the back yard is just paths thru the growth. I’ve added a few things each year. Of course the flea bane, rag weed and goldenrod came on their own!! I have feverfew established, and chicory. One yarrow is doing well, as well as mint and catnip in there. I had a couple Queen Ann’s lace grow this year, it bloomed but the heat seems to have hit it hard.
I plan to till a few patches this fall, and give some more wild flower seeds a chance next spring.
We have two supposed native flat top hydrangea bushes started, they wintered well and are growing.
Deer, birds and bunnies are pleased.
Suggestions on approach given the time and money issues? I retire in 3 more years…hopefully…that will help on the time but $ isn’t gonna change much!
New England zone 5/6
by Lefty-boomer
6 Comments
If you want to take it cheap and slow, I recommend letting it go and pulling only invasive species. A couple of seasons of pulling thugs plants will bring up even more native species.
There’s a lot of woodland around me, so in the fall I collect seed heads from native wild plants and toss them generally where I hope they will grow.
I was very surprised how many native species arrived once I spent 2 years pulling garlic mustard from my property.
Similar situation at my house. I stopped mowing the top of my yard near the woods. I’ve been using the Seek ap to identify native flowers while walking my dog. I’m going to start walking with a bag and spade to dig some up and start transplanting to see what catches. I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money. Just find what is already around you and remove things you don’t want.
If you are in the United States most states have a DNR where you can buy plants for very very cheap. I bought a bundle of 25 red oiseier dogwood plants for 22 dollars which is really cheap. Depending on your state most will have plants that are native to your area
Some areas, like mine, offer stipens or grants to go native especially with a group of you. Also, neighbors may have donations or ideas. Check what natives are available for free or cheap.ive found many natives are considered weeds and left them in zone 7 in Chester Virginia. Good luck, and thanks for helping the planet.
I like using prairie moon nursery as their prices are decent compared to other places, and they actually germinate (or survive if bare root).
They only sell native plants, bare roots, and seeds.
They also aren’t questionable like other places, mixing in something invasive in their seed mixes.
I bought bur oak, American hazelnut, and serviceberry roots from them last year. They arrived early spring and have since leafed out.
I bought trees from Arbor Day, and they arrived late spring and poorly packaged. I doubt I’ll use Arbor Day again. Even though they are “cheap”.
http://www.prairiemoonnursery.com
Aggressive native seeds is what I’d do
Goldenrod species and native sunflowers (helianthus) is the strat, just buy maybe a few pounds of those seeds, dump them out there in the fall and let them pop up and fill in the area! They’re also keystone species and bird magnets