Introducing: The Backyard Meadow Project
We are excited to introduce our new Backyard Meadow Project! With this project, we will go through the process of creating a small native wildflower meadow from scratch, starting with a boring patch of mowed lawn and transforming it into a space that’s brimming with native plants, insects, and wildlife.
We’ll be testing out three methods to prepare a site for planting (sod removal, solarization, and herbicide). We will also compare two local-ecotype seed mixes, a basic mix with 5 species and a deluxe mix with 15 species.
The goal of this project is to show how anyone can start a meadow, without prior experience or any particularly fancy tools.
But before we get into all that, let’s talk about our first step – picking out a site!
Think about sunlight and moisture. This will inform the type of natives you can plant, and what kind of site preparation is most appropriate. Southern or western exposure is ideal. If the area is shaded, then a meadow may not be the best option. However, there are lots of great native shade-loving plants to replace your lawn with – check out this guide for some great suggestions.
Take a minute to identify what’s already growing there. This can help you decide how you’ll need to prepare the area for planting, and come up with a species list that’s well suited to your specific growing conditions. If you’re new to identifying plants, we highly recommend downloading the iNaturalist app – it’s free, and we can help you identify your plants if you tag us in the comments. If it’s a bigger space, consider calling on an expert (like Landowner Outreach Associate Kadiera Ingram) to come have a look.
Consider the slope. Steep slopes can be tricky to plant on, as erosion and water flow can carry native seeds downhill. Cover crops can help hold the seeds in place. If your site is on a slope, you might also want to consider planting plugs (seedlings). This generally costs more than using a native seed mix, but the benefit of using plugs is that they establish and begin to spread much quicker.
We’ll be hosting two events in the fall to show people how to use a sod cutter and properly plant wildflower seeds, so keep your eyes on our calendar.
This project is funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Native Plant Society’s Piedmont Chapter. Thank you for your support!
The site before the start of the project.
The solarization treatment plot.
The herbicide plot is in the foreground and the solarization plot is in the background.
