From lawn to meadow. Sustainable landscapes for people and planet.
affordable, low maintenance & good lookin'
Services
We specialize in converting underutilized lawn and fields into meadow/prairie (a dense mix of native wildflowers and grasses) using locally sourced seed with an emphasis on supporting keystone species. We take on projects of all sizes ranging from a few hundred square feet (aka mini meadow or pocket prairie) to large fields.
Our approach consists of the following:
-
Understand your project goals and priorities
-
Complete a thorough site assessment of the existing vegetation and soil/sun characteristics
-
Develop a customized plan based on your goals and characteristics of the site
-
Execute site preparation (it's critical to do this properly)
-
Seed the site and ensure successful establishment
To maintain the site, in most circumstances, you (or us) just need to mow or burn it 1x a year.
Some common project plan details include:
-
Custom seed mixes (short species, color specific, attract pollinators or birds, shade tolerant, grasses only, wet soil, etc.)
-
Planting of native plants and trees to supplement seeding
-
Installation of bird and/or bat houses
-
Integration of walking trails, benches and signs
-
Integrate eco-friendly lawn areas (can be used like a traditional lawn but are better for the environment)
Referral Bonus: Refer a friend to us and you both will receive a $50 gift card from us to any of our local native plant nursery partners (Scioto Gardens, Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, Meadow City or Keystone Flora). More details in FAQ section below.
About Us
We are a small business based in Central Ohio and our mission is to create more sustainable landscapes for people and planet. Sustainability is broadly defined as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". We apply this concept within the landscaping space as we seek to become better stewards of the land gifted to us.
Nearly 96% of the land in Ohio is privately owned. As landowners, we have a significant influence on the health of our local ecosystems through the land management decisions that we make. Our goal as a business is to help others understand how these decisions affect ecosystem health and to partner with them on implementing a more sustainable plan. Collectively, we can make a big difference.
Nick Hirsch, founder and lead laborer, is an Ohio State engineering alum with certifications in ecological restoration through studies at the University of Minnesota and Harvard. He is driven to bring others in closer connection with nature to encourage better stewardship of land and wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
> Why should I consider converting areas of my lawn to native meadow/prairie? The trending term for this is called meadowscaping. Traditional lawns do not benefit our local ecosystems in any significant way and they require constant maintenance that consume your time/money. Most landowners have areas of lawn that never see anything outside of a mower, herbicide and fertilizer - all of which pollute our environment. These areas, large and small, are perfect for a meadow/prairie which provides food and cover for wildlife, filters water, improves soil health, provides flood control, sequesters carbon and increases biodiversity. You will no longer need to water or apply fertilizer/herbicide/pesticide to your land and mowing is reduced to once a year!
> Why should I consider seeding a mini meadow or pocket prairie over traditional landscaping with potted plants? Seeding is much more affordable! For example, the seed required to cover a 500 sq. ft. area costs about $50 in comparison to $750+ for potted plants to achieve a similar density. Additionally, a meadow/prairie is lower maintenance than a traditional bed. Once established, the density of plants eliminates the need to weed and mulch. No watering, no fertilizer and no herbicide/pesticide needed. Join the meadowscaping movement!
> Will a meadow/prairie look too 'wild' in my home or business landscape? We can customize a native seed mix to align with the 'look' that you are trying to achieve/preserve (short species, specific colors, etc.). Once established, meadows/prairies are much more dense than traditional landscaping but you don't have to sacrifice aesthetic appeal. If this is a priority then we recommend integrating a border (fence, native hedge, etc.) to your meadow/prairie area to achieve a more formal look. Additionally, we ensure our projects adhere to all local municipal code requirements (max heights, sight triangles, etc.)
> What size of meadow/prairie do you install? We establish meadows/prairies of all sizes, anywhere from a few hundred square feet to 25+ acres. The project details and the equipment needed will vary based on size.
> What is the difference between a meadow and a prairie? These terms are often used interchangeably but there are differences between the two. Prairies typically contain a higher percentage of warm season grasses and are located in drier areas in comparison to meadows which favor cool season grasses and moist environments. Both prairies and meadows contain wildflowers and sedges. There are many species of native plants that flourish in both environments.
> What are keystone species? These are species (plant, animal, fungi, etc.) that are the most critical to the health of our local ecosystem. Without them, the ecosystem and its services would significantly degrade. We seed keystone plants as part of every project. The term 'keystone' comes from the central stone located at the top of an arch which locks the whole thing together and enables it to stand.
> What are ecosystem services? These are the services that healthy ecosystems provide to us for our benefit. Many are vital to our survival such as providing food (healthy soil required), clean air and clean water. We have a long history of abusing these services and taking them for granted. Increasing native vegetation (e.g. meadow/prairie) is one way that we can help strengthen them.
> What areas and types of clients do you serve? We primarily serve the Central Ohio area but are able to travel across the state depending on project details. Our clients come from all sectors including residential, commercial, non-profit, government, conservation reserve program (CRP), etc.
> How does the 'Refer a Friend' program work? If you (previous client) refer a friend to us and we complete a project for them then you and your friend each receive a $50 gift card from us to one of our local native plant nursery partners (Scioto Gardens, Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, Meadow City or Keystone Flora). Just make sure that your friend mentions you by name during the consultation and we will take it from there! Thank you for helping us grow the native plant movement!
> Do you support Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Mid Contract Management (MCM) projects? Yes - we offer site preparation, seeding and vegetation management services in support of these programs.
