A new landscaping movement is gaining traction as homeowners slowly realize their monoculture lawn of green grass may be more trouble than it’s worth. And I get it; who wants to spend their Sunday pushing a lawn mower? These turf yards require costly maintenance, generate stormwater runoff, and do little to support local wildlife.
So why not convert your greenspace to a field of native wildflowers? In a year or two, you could have your Sundays back to sit and watch bees and butterflies flying among the flowers.
But change is hard and where do you even begin?
Before you start spreading wildflower seeds, you need a clean slate; eliminate what you already have whether that be grass or unwanted invasive plant species. If you’re like me, the thought of using herbicides to remove grass or unwanted invasive species makes you cringe. These substances are known to be carcinogenic and can run off your property and into storm drains if not applied properly. As a father, I shudder to think of kids and pets playing in treated areas.
Thankfully, there are chemical-free options for removing unwanted, widespread plant life.
The first is tilling. For best results, till the area then let it sit for two to three weeks before tilling it again to prevent any regrowth from occurring. This method has downsides though. For starters, tilling is hard work and not everyone has access to a rototiller. Not to mention that tilling can lead to erosion (depending on the topography) and can severely damage the mycorrhizal networks beneath the surface, reducing soil health.
I recommend trying a second, chemical-free option: tarping. That’s right, resetting your lawn, or portions of it, can be as simple as laying down a tarp! No fancy equipment needed, just grab one from your garage or purchase one from your local hardware store.
There is, however, a method to the tarping approach.
First, consider timing. The best time to lay your tarp is in June, keeping it in place through mid-September. You could even leave it until November to avoid cooler season seeds making their way onto the plot. Second is prep. Prior to placing the tarp, cut the unwanted plants as low as possible and remove the debris.
Tarp laid down to create a new planting zone at Berks Nature’s Ontelaunee Wetlands Preserve.
With the tarp and dead vegetation removed, the space is now ready to be replanted with a native mix of wildflowers.
Finally, it’s time to replant. Remove the tarp and then scalp any dead vegetation from the area. This can be done with a weed whacker or by vigorously raking the surface, though I recommend the former. Once the debris is cleared, you can apply your seed. You may seed as early as late November, which allows seeds to naturally undergo cold stratification before germinating in the early spring (before the onslaught of summer weeds). However, you do risk losing some seeds to wildlife or weather.
The other option is to seed in the spring. While this can lead to less seed loss and more immediate results, especially from annual species, your seeds will miss the benefit of cold stratification and face competition from fast-growing weeds. Additionally, a dry spring would necessitate watering, as young seeds require consistent moisture.
If you want to create a no-mow meadow on your property, I will always recommend the tarping method. I have used it with success on Berks Nature’s preserves, but it’s also perfect for starting small in your private yard as well. A world with fewer chemicals sounds pretty good to me, and I will avoid rototilling any chance I get. After all, life is short, and we should all spend more time smelling the roses…especially on Sunday afternoons.