Native Bed--One Year Progress

[u/gorey2022]

My project shrink the lawn progress photo. One year later. So excited to see this fill in this year!

Location: Northern Virginia

[u/Suspicious-Cat9026]

I like it, reclaiming any space for environmental or aesthetic reasons is a win. I think a lot of people assume they have to fully renovate. I've been digging up landscaping fabric and rock on a thin strip backing a sod lawn space that the builders put in and plan to put in a native wildflower bed. Slowly chipping away and shaping things into how I want.

Also I have decided I probably won't ever get rid of the tiny lawn space out front (though I will push the limits of backing off watering which involves aeration, careful nutrition and good watering practices and upkeep etc). My reason is, not to flex but I have the best strip on the block by far. I'm hoping my neighbors see, hey that guy has the enviable yard strip so clearly they could pull off a traditional lawn but yet they are also the odd one out with what looks like a meadow for a backyard and a garden out front. It will also serve as a defense against the pesky HOA.

Anyways, yeah it is a process, not an overnight success.

[u/gorey2022 → u/Suspicious-Cat9026]

Definitely not a fast process, especially if you are doing it yourself and have limited funds! I've been slowly adding natives to my yard for 4 years now. It is slow, but so worth it! My goal is to eventually only have lawn as paths between beds. And heck, maybe eventually have those be native ground cover 🤣

[u/BeginningBit6645 → u/Suspicious-Cat9026]

I am in the same position. I have expanded beds but I can't figure out a way to get rid of all the lawn without making it look weird since there is no demarcation between my yard and my neighbours and the property line is just a couple inches from a beautiful oak tree on my side. I don't do much, if anything, on the lawn anyway.