Each of the posts in this series has showcased sections of our yard and what we've done in each section including before and after photos.
Part 1 and Part 2: Removing Impervious Surfaces
Part 3: Removing Stone Mulch
Part 4: Removing Invasive Species and Smothering Grass
Part 5: Smothering More Grass and Planting Woodland Natives
Part 6: Planting Natives on a Steep Hillside
Part 7: Planting the Hillside
Part 8 is the area in front of our west facing deck and the top of the slope from Part 7. More stone mulch was covering this part of the garden. Interspersed in the stone mulch was some Japanese Spiraea which were removed.
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| Before photo, July 2004. View towards deck. |
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| Stone Mulch Removed in September 2004 |
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| View looking up slope. Started to remove wood timbers along steps as well. |
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| All stone mulch and wood timbers removed. Prairie plugs planted in late fall 2004. |
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| March 2009. Left plant stems and leaves all winter for overwintering insects. |
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| Early May 2009. Cut down plant stems and left on ground around plants. Prairie species emerging. |
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| Late August 2009. |
Some of the native prairie species we planted were, Little Bluestem, Kalm's Brome, June Grass, Pale Indian Plantain, False White Indigo, Black Eyed Susans, Joe Pye Weed, Pale Purple Coneflower, Butterfly Milkweed, Stiff Goldenrod, and Prairie Smoke. We also added Pasque Flower and Wild Lupine for early spring color.
Fabulous transformation Heather! I would be filled with joy each time I walked up those steps! Now tell me what became of the monkey-like sculpture?
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. It's a fun part of the yard to watch for pollinators now.
The wood sculpture was a frog and was taken by the previous homeowner.
Heather
wow what a difference. There's just so much life bursting from this corner now.
ReplyDeleteHi Marguerite,
ReplyDeleteYes it's the sunniest part of the yard so it tends to be where all the action is.
Heather
Greetings from Southern California
ReplyDeleteI added myself to follow your blog.
Please visit mine and follow back if you want too.
God bless you :-)
~Ron
You have certainly put in a lot of hard work. The results are wonderful. The property map shows there is more revitalizing to show us. I look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteHi The Old Geezer,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, I will be sure to check out your blog.
Hi Patty,
Yes the hard work is starting to pay off, I'm hoping next year we'll really see some interesting wildlife in our yard.
Heather
This is just amazing. A complete change of place. I love the stone as well. I am now completely revved up and ready to kill my entire lawn (once the snow melts). Very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Violet Fern,
ReplyDeleteI prefer the stone too. Most of it was in the yard or dug up but it works well as a retaining wall.
Hope your snow melts soon!
Heather