Landscaping the Wild Way

For the last 10 years we've been working in our current yard to create a habitat for wildlife and incorporate native plants and prairie.  One of the things we like about the Ossie lot is that it has natural plant life that has not been disturbed -- until we build.   Part of the project needs to include restoring native plants to the site and attracting birds, butterflies, and wildlife to the landscape.

In addition, the landscape should survive on it's own without much need for watering and care.

Here's some of the landscaping ideas we plan to incorporate:

• Put in "no mow" grass in areas where turf is desired
• Plant prairie/native plants that do not require mowing over the septic drain field
• Keep a shoreline buffer
• Use "retention ponds" to minimize impact of stormwater and snow melt.   Direct the water where it can soak in and reduce erosions and runoff into the lake.
• Protect desired existing trees and native vegetation where possible.   The good news here is that many of the existing trees are at the end of their life.  There are only a few oaks that we hate to see go.  We may have them cut into trim boards for the house.
• Drain water away from the foundation and into landscape planting
• Use trees for proper summer shade and to reduce watering needs
• Use lake water to water the vegetable garden

Here's the photo of our prairie garden from a few summers ago:

We have learned many of these concepts from being a member of the Wild Ones.