GARDEN INSTALLATION
A natural garden is a wild space full of native plants that support our local wildlife including their pollinators, birds, mammals, etc. We create natural gardens by either starting from scratch, as we would if we were to replace a lawn, or work with what is already there, like we often do along a property line or in a woods invaded by an aggressive shrub species. In all cases, planting by seed is a major element.
These gardens are not meant to be "pretty" in the traditional sense - the beauty in a natural garden is found in a deeper understanding of the environment we live in and our place in it. Our approach to gardening is a direct response to what we have learned about our effect on the planet and the impact that our yards can have on it. A natural garden is an effort to give back a piece of the land we occupy for the good of the planet.
GARDEN MANAGEMENT
Native plants take time to establish, and the first couple of years are crucial to the long term success of a new natural garden. Management service typically consists of 6 monthly visits throughout the growing season (May-October). We strongly suggest everyone of our clients consider at least two seasons of management by us as a necessary cost of your new garden project. Some people will decide to take on management themselves after the first two years, but we have management approaches for established natural gardens/wild spaces as well.
Although a natural garden is low-maintenance in many ways, annual management in some form will be required for the life of the garden to ensure maximum species diversity and ecological health. Historically, our native plants would have thrived in ecosystems dominated by major forces like frequent wildfire, grazing animals, and even humans. Our management technique involves emulating these forces to achieve our goals.
WHAT WE DON’T DO
Some of what separates us from other landscapers, is what we don’t do. Below is a quick list to make it easier for you to see if we offer a service you are looking for:
We don’t do hardscape installations (such as patios, concrete walkways, retaining walls, etc.). We highly recommend Twin City Landscape for this type of work.
We don’t do lawn care (sod installations, lawn fertilizing, lawn weeding). We currently DO NOT install bee lawns unless we are also creating natural gardens at that project. Most flowering bee lawns are not native.
We never use chemicals. We manage invasive plants by removing them, introducing native competition, and consistently weeding them as they return.
We don’t plant conventional garden plants or cultivars. We only plant native species. We will however keep non-invasive, non-native plants that hold special meaning to you if they are already in your yard.
We don’t management conventionally planted gardens. We only offer management of previously planted native gardens, whether we installed it or not. Let us know if you already have a native garden in your yard, and would like us to come manage it for you!