Parking Pad to Garden Transformation

These new homeowners had an idea for their backyard, and it didn't include the existing gravel parking lot.

They also had significant yard damage from a geothermal system, that was not repaired the way they had expected.

The goal was for a natural, relaxing space filled with as many edible and ecological benefiting elements as possible.

We began with three main goals- a garden, a patio and a fence.  Garden beds were high on the priority list for clean growing fresh produce!  A relaxing patio for their firepit, surrounded by a natural environment using some of their existing plants and lots of new natives.  A future fence was planned to separate the new space from alley noise and traffic.

 

Many edible plants were hoped for both in the garden area and even around the yard.  We put in as many perennial and edible plants as practical for this space.  Rhubarb, asparagus, berries and even an apple tree.

Initial site work involved removing the gravel and breaking up the compaction of years of traffic.  We left a circle of the existing pad for the base of the new paver patio.

 

A keyhole style bed maximizes growing space on a smaller overall footprint.  

Raised frame beds allowed us to bring in a fresh mix of clean soil to grow in.

We added compost to the remaining planting areas to add organic matter, build soil structure and workability, as well as encourage soil life.

With a limited space and south facing wall, this was a perfect space to espalier an apple tree.  The downspout from the garage allowed us to capture rainwater for use right by the garden.

Companion plants were included in this tree guild -

    Yarrow to attract beneficial insects

    Clover for nitrogen fixing action

    Chives to protect the trunk from rabbits

    Other herbs for their antimicrobial benefits

A decorative Japanese Maple was the focal point for the back corner with an Asian palette, a Serviceberry up front for a native edible shrub and multiple species of native woodland and savanna plants along the neighboring garage.  Bee Balm is great addition against the patio as it repels mosquitoes and feeds beneficial pollinators, and dwarf varieties soften the edge from lower to higher plantings.  Narrow evergreens will frame the future access gate and provide shades of green in the winter.

Great work on the patio from Ben's crew at Beemer Landscaping

We had just completed another project where a large amount of sod was removed.  So, after leveling the damage to the side yard we were able to upcycle it here instead of only reseeding.

The stepper path was re-laid through the damaged lawn area, using the existing pieces and we were able to match extras we needed.  The path was also extended from the back sidewalk to the patio area and gate.  

Finally, everything was mulched and finished.  A few weeks of garden care during their vacation, and then an additional Redbud tree for more afternoon shade.  It was all ready for the privacy fence install.

Paver patio backed by a Japanese maple

Raised bed garden behind the existing hedge

Pollinator friendly prairie natives benefit the garden too

A little taste of Eden in the heart of our city.  If you like this project or our others, we'd love it if you shared it with your friends!

This visitor couldn't wait for us to be done :)

Swallowtail butterfly getting a drink

Custom Grafted Apple Trees

Young bare root fruit trees are some of the lowest cost trees you can purchase.

This season we'll be offering new ‘whip & tongue’ grafted trees with your choice from a selection of varieties.  These are custom made per your order on Semi-Dwarfing rootstock. 

Order ASAP and they will be available for pickup this Spring (end of April or May)

$25 each; or bundles of 10 for $15.00 per tree

Order Freshly Grafted Fruit Trees - Click HERE

These are ‘baby trees’ and the graft union is fragile for a season (protect from pets, kids, birds, etc)

Multi-grafted trees may occasionally be available.

Want your own rootstock to graft? Apple, Pear or Cherry

Order Rootstock

Also ask about preordering larger bare root trees as well.  They are more economical before we pot them up and begin caring for them.

Gardens vs Tree Roots

Durable block wall raised beds with...  Under Armor !?!?

These garden beds, installed this summer, were going in near an existing Hackberry tree.  Although near the current drip line, the footprint was small, and the installation shouldn't damage its roots any more than the other construction traffic.  

However, future growth would mean that the root system would be expanding.  I was concerned about these tree roots invading the raised beds and stealing water and nutrients from the plants growing there.  

Original SPROUT Garden

At the old Sprout Garden location, nearby Oak trees had nearly filled the existing raised beds with roots.  The tending gardeners said yields had gone down over the years, but guessed it was due to diminishing soil quality and fertility over the years.  

When we reclaimed the wood to use in the new project, we found that the remaining soil was almost a solid "loaf" of tree roots!

I've have also dealt with them in my own garden as well.  Maple trees love to send out exploring feeder roots!

To address this potential problem, we wanted to create an air gap to encourage air pruning of the tree roots instead of letting them invade the growing bed. 

The gap would be filled with river rock to maintain larger airspaces to discourage invading roots yet support the growing mix above.  Starting at the bottom -

1. We added heavy fabric to keep the rock separated from the existing soil.
2. Then we added a 2-4" layer of river rock, to keep air pockets open.
3. Before filling the beds with soil, another layer of fabric was added.

If the growing mix was allowed to settle into the rock it would eliminate the desired airspace.

The vegetable beds are situated just outside the house's shadow most of the year, and being elevated helps to get more sun on them too.  

Trellises were added for some vertical growing space.

More to updates to come on this project!

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!

Abundant Design Holiday Gifts

This year you might considering an alternative gift.  We'd like to offer some ideas and options that are earth-friendly and fun!

These gifts will be available for pickup mid to late spring, but you can get a printable certificate for gifting. 

Pollinator Plug 6-Pack   $30

6 pack of native plugs, wildflowers only  Order a 6-Pack

- 6 larger potted plants for $60

 

Pocket Prairie Starter   $45

15 Native prairie plugs, include wildflowers and grasses for diversity.  These plants are suitable for a 4' x 8' or similar sized planting area and include shorter species for the front and taller growers for the back.

  Order a Pocket Prairie  

- 15 larger potted plants $150

Tree Guild To-Go   $50

perennial & productive 

Newly grafted fruit tree along with companion plants; 2 chive plugs, 2 white clover plugs/seed packet, comfrey root cutting

  Order a Tree Guild To-Go

- Upgrade to 4-6' potted tree +$50

- Add strawberries, 5 large crowns +$5

 

-Newly grafted fruit tree only for $25

These Holiday Deals will go through the end of the year.  Installation is also available for next season.

Sometimes the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds can hardly wait for our plants to get in the ground!

🦋 Butterflies showing some love 💕