I'm downsizing and I've found a lovely two-acre property, but the lawn needs some serious work. I'm 76 and would rather not spend my summers driving a tractor! I'm interested in how I can turn most of this lawn into a meadow or woodland that welcomes wildlife. Should I be thinking about seeding, adding shrubs, or getting creative with planting?
2 Answers
One great option is to naturalize your yard. Try to imitate nature as much as possible; think of it as creating a habitat for wildlife and plants. Take a hike in a local national park or nature preserve for inspiration and snap some pictures. If there's a nearby university or botanical garden, they can provide valuable advice and resources for your project. This could be an exciting endeavor in retirement!
Check out your state's university extension website. They usually have awesome resources tailored to your area about how to enhance your yard for wildlife and native plants. You might even want to reach out to them directly for more personalized advice. If your place is rural, some local farmers might even be willing to hay your lawn for you at no cost!
I live next to a cow farm, but it's not suitable for that. I might just ask the farmers what they do with all their manure before introducing myself to the neighbors!
Absolutely! Exploring nature preserves is an amazing way to gather ideas and get some physical activity at the same time.