Styles
Make Your Yard as Green as the Inside of Your Home:
And turn your yard into a sustainable, healthy oasis for your family, as well as butterflies, birds, bees and more.
We didn't think there was a problem either:
- 40-60% of fertilizer applied to lawns ends up in surface and groundwater, contaminating them with excess nutrients.
- We have 50% fewer birds than 40 years ago - 230 species of North American birds are at risk of extinction.
- The Monarchs are disappearing: Since 1990, about 970 million have vanished.
- Only 3 to 5 percent of the lower 48 states is undisturbed habitat for plants and animals.
- Lawns cover about 40 million acres of land.
From Our Blog:
How to Help Native Bees
with Dr. Leif Richardson.
What do we mean by green?
Create a safe environment for your children
Having a green yard is not just about the color of your grass: all of those fertilizers, pesticides, extensive watering, and non-native plants do more than just harm nature, they can harm your family too. By creating habitats you will not only bring back nature, but you will be saving your family from the dangers of the modern yard.
- A report by the National Academy of Sciences shows that the health of 1 in 7 people is negatively impacted in some form by lawn pesticides.
- Numerous studies link lawn chemicals to cancers and other long-term diseases.
- Children are especially at risk for negative health consequences due to their size, physiological development and proximity to the ground.
- Studies from Yale University, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and several others point to children's health risks associated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Great garden moments with your children and grandchildren
Explore and learn about nature in your own backyard.
What better place to “grow” special family memories than in a garden? Gardening with your kids or grandkids at home or at a community garden not only provides the tangible benefits of exercise and fresh food, it also fosters communication, builds strong relationships, and offers an opportunity to work toward a common goal.
Fall Family Gardening Project:
Erin, one of our certified Master Gardeners, purchased a house several years ago and has been wowing us with her plantings since.
Five Steps to Turning Your Yard into a Habitat:
1. Think native. Wildlife will thank you for it.
An assortment of native plants, shrubs and trees will assure that your yard is an oasis.
The wildlife you want to attract has evolved specialized, symbiotic relationships with the plants in your region. By planting native plants, you will ensure that everything from the smallest insects to the largest creatures will flourish.
Tip: a great goal is to have a minimum of 50% natives
While there are many different interpretations of what a native is, we define Natives as: A ‘Native’ plant as one that is found growing naturally in North America. 'Native' also refers to named selections of native species chosen from wild populations for improved garden performance. Our definition also includes hybrids between two native species but NOT hybrids when only one parent plant is native.
in your yard.
While there are many different interpretations of what a native is, we define Natives as: A ‘Native’ plant as one that is found growing naturally in North America. 'Native' also refers to named selections of native species chosen from wild populations for improved garden performance. Our definition also includes hybrids between two native species but NOT hybrids when only one parent plant is native.
2. Non-native plants are a deadzone for native wildlife.
Hover over the numbers on the aerial view of a typical neighborhood for more information.
Bamboo
Bamboo might seem like a great choice for your garden – it is fast growing, hardy, exotic looking and can create a great privacy screen. Unfortunately it takes over quickly, and can be nearly impossible to eradicate. Several hundred species of bamboo have been imported into this country by the horticultural industry for use as ornamental plants. The roots can travel 20 feet or more from the original clump, and can run below concrete and other barriers.
Japanese & Asian Bush Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle is often sold in American nurseries as the cultivar 'Hall's Prolific’, and it grows extremely rapidly and is virtually impossible to control in naturalized woodland edge zones due to its rapid spread via tiny fruit seeds. Plant Native Trumpet Honeysuckle instead.
Norway Maple
In the 1930s and 1940s Norway Maple was widely used as a replacement as a shade tree for Elms (which were dying because of Dutch Elm disease), because of its fast growth and deep shade. Norway Maples continue to be sold throughout the country as ornamental shade trees. They grow faster than native maples and other forest trees and its dense, shallow root system makes it difficult for native seedlings to get established. Choose to plant a native, local maple instead.
Chinese & Japanese Wisteria
Chinese Wisteria was first imported into this country in 1816, followed in 1830 by Japanese Wisteria. The vines grow fast and provide dense shade, and they were often used for porches, trellises, and gazebos. Unfortunately they have strong root systems, and can be very challenging to eradicate. Plant American Wisteria or Trumpet Honeysuckle instead.
English Ivy
This invasive is still sold at big box stores and nurseries because it grows quickly and is very hardy. It will take over trees, buildings, and woodlands and more. Be particularly careful of hanging baskets and other potted assortments that include English Ivy. Often these get planted, composted or thrown in the woods, where they take root.
Avoid these non-natives:
Bamboo, Japanese & Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Norway Maple, Chinese & Japanese Wisteria, and English Ivy.
3. Variety is key.
Plant in layers for a healthy habitat, and lower maintenance. Layered plantings mean you don’t have to worry about edging, mulching, and more..
Soil Amendments and Fertilizer:
Naturally feed and add nutrients to your soil with our organic fertilizers. Perfect for adding while planting, transplanting, or to aid a struggling plant.
Ground Covers:
Whether you are looking to prevent erosion, replace your lawn, or create a garden floor bursting in blooms, we have a wonderful variety of tough, easy-to-grow ground covers.
Perennials & Wildflowers:
Everyone wants a garden that is low maintenance with maximum results. Our wide variety of Perennials will help you transform your yard into a long lasting habitat that will make your family proud. If you are looking to cover large areas, or just love wildflowers, we have exactly what you are looking for.
Shrubs
Shrubs are a key feature of any habitat garden. They support a wide range of wildlife with their flowers, leaves, seeds and berries. Shrubs are integral to creating layers in your garden, filling the vertical space between perennials and trees.
4. Replace your lawn for instant results.
Lawns are sometimes called “Green Deserts” because they don’t support native wildlife.
You needn’t transform your entire yard overnight. For example, you might start by creating a border garden, using a few ornamental grasses with tall perennials like hollyhocks and garden phlox at the back to create a visual and sound barrier between you and your neighbors or the street. Add medium height, shrubby flowers like rudbeckia and coneflowers among the taller perennials for color, and ground-hugging plants in front to form a natural transition to your existing lawn. Choose plants with different bloom times for season-long color.
5. Stop using insecticides, pesticides and unnecessary fertilizers.
All of our seeds are Non-GMO and Neonicotinoid free.
American Meadows, supports the Safe Seed Pledge and states that we do not knowingly buy, sell or trade any genetically engineered seeds.
Shop any of our Wildflower, Vegetable and Herb seeds with confidence that all of our seeds are non-GMO.
