No Mow - New Construction

Another large project was started in the previous season incorporating stormwater best management practices into a full native planting that includes basically the entire property.  

The home was built for a gentleman that wanted to be very responsible and not contribute to ANY stormwater runoff, erosion and flooding.

Woodland & savanna styled plantings in the front incorporated a walking path, some native shrubs and smaller trees.  Several invasive burning bushes were taken out.   A rain garden captures the front down spouts as well as most of the driveway runoff.

Front yard #Before

Front yard - planted and mulched

The front Rain Garden was full after a storm in the night but had drained by early afternoon.

Prairie party out back!

To get the back yard looking good, designed plantings of established plants and a large rain garden up closer to the house and deck.   

The deck provides prime viewing of the eventual prairie habitat, as well as access to the paths through it.

Prairie with rain garden view from the deck

Further back targeted native seedings were planned to reduce the initial budget.  To accomplish this, 8000 square feet of yard was tilled and "Solarized" for several weeks to kill the grass and shallow weed seed bank.

Solarizing 8000sf of yard

Around September, we removed the plastic sheeting and planted an oat cover crop to hold soil and keep weeds at bay.  Prior to the cover crop seeding, we pulled and flamed the remaining weeds that took advantage of tears in the plastic caused by curious deer.

We left a ~6' strip of mowed turf lawn on the South edge to be good neighbors.  We put in some sod around the areas damaged by the construction and existing lawn behind.  The neighbors to the North were fine with the savanna and prairie plantings coming up to their fence.  They had somewhat similar plans for their backyard.  

The entire foundation area was edged with river rock for ease of maintenance and access.

This last season we returned for maintenance help and vacation weeding.  The homeowner was doing a great job keeping the seeding mowed to a height where the perennials can grow roots, yet aggressive annual weeds were kept from going to seed.  These steps are very important when establishing a new native planting from seed.

The nearer plantings really grew this last summer!

We are excited to continue watching this project grow and grow!