Recently I have been ruminating about how to turn a portion my one-acre yard into natural habitat. I just read the book, Wilding, by Isabella Tree about how she and her husband restored their 3500-acre historic English estate from tired agricultural land to its natural state. It’s a fascinating read. Maybe I could go a little wild on my property.

Coincidentally, in my inbox last week was an email from Green America with information about a new book that’s now out, Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a Regenerative Landscape. Here is a description of the book…

In his new book, Lawns Into Meadows, landscape designer Owen Wormser makes a case for the generosity of meadows. “In a world where lawns have wreaked havoc on our natural ecosystems, meadows offer a compelling solution: They establish wildlife and pollinator habitats. They’re low-maintenance and low-cost. They have a built-in resilience that helps them weather climate extremes, and they can draw down and store far more carbon dioxide than any manicured lawn. It is garden landscaping that is beautiful, all year round.” Owen describes how to plant an organic meadow garden or traditional meadow that’s right for your site, whether it’s a yard, community garden, or tired city lot. He shares advice on preparing your plot, coming up with the right design, and planting—all without using synthetic chemicals. He passes along tips on building support in neighborhoods where a tidy lawn is the standard. Owen also profiles twenty-one starter grasses and wildflowers for beginning meadow builders, and offers guidance on how to grow each one.

The author will offer a free webinar on the subject on July 30, 2020, EST. Questions can be submitted in advance. I signed up

Lawns, while they look pretty, take a lot of upkeep and consume huge amounts of water . Power mowers pollute the atmosphere and various garden chemicals pollute the groundwater. Pets and children who spend time on the lawn can suffer health effects from the toxic products used to kill weeds. Even converting part of your lawn or a sidewalk strip into a meadow can help. Plus there’s the added beauty of flowers that you and wildlife will enjoy. My lawn is pretty much a carpet of mowed weeds but a meadow would be so much better. Time to think “outside the lawn.”