Native Meadow Installation Services
A native meadow is a sustainable, pollinator-friendly, low-maintenance alternative to grass turf lawns.
Grass lawns can be a good fit for the right setting, but they’re often larger than they need to be. If converting your entire lawn into a native meadow doesn’t seem ideal, there are ways to limit lawn space to what is essential while installing meadows in the other areas. We can also provide mowing services for the borders of meadows. This gives them the appearance of being intentional and well-maintained.
Low maintenance
Once these installations are established, they will have minimal maintenance requirements going forward. We recommend an annual mow in late March or April. This schedule keeps woody trees and shrubs under control while allowing for habitat over the winter.
Sustainable
Native meadows provide many important ecosystem services. These services can include water filtration, nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and create a biodiverse community for flora and fauna. Meadows consist of mostly native grasses (40% to 60% cover) with a mix of herbaceous plants. By establishing these in a dense and diverse planting, property owners can enjoy the beauty of seasonal and yearly succession while experiencing a renewed connection with nature.
Pollinator-friendly
Native wildflowers can be an excellent source of nectar and pollen. Also they are more likely to attract native pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and moths, than non-native plants.
What to expect from the first years of a native meadow:
Year One
We do not use herbicidal treatments. We prepare the site using safe and effective occultation and smother/cover cropping methods. This time and effort will provide a clean seedbed to be planted in the fall or following spring, depending on the process of weed suppression. Sites with extensive weed problems may require additional time to control weeds before planting.
Year Two
During the first year, we will provide an annual mow in early spring to ensure the proper establishment of the newly seeded meadow plants. A few annual wildflowers will emerge as the soil warms up in the spring. Some wildflowers might not germinate for 2-3 years following planting, and most grow low to the ground the first season.
Year Three
Annual mow done in early spring. New wildflowers will appear and grow much faster and larger this year. We will monitor weeds in June and August. From this point on, meadow maintenance is minimal, consisting of periodic mowing to manage weed pressure and discourage growth of woody shrubs and trees.
