I would post signs saying something like “native ecosystem restoration in progress”. This is exciting, post updates!
NoExternal2732
Not that you should have to, but print this out and put it in a ziplock bag or sheet cover and post it in the yard…or just wait for the inevitable passive-aggressive comments and handle them case by case, like:
“Oh, looks like someone ordered too much mulch!”
Brace yourself, lol!
gottagrablunch
You don’t need to.
It’s your front yard and none of their business. You’re not concerned about their sterile monoculture.
barbsbaloney
You could stake the four corners and run a couple of lines between them. Hang a sign that says something like CAUTION or SITE PREP.
dewitteillustration
Use it as an opportunity to tell them the sins of the lawn.
ScreechinOwl
I made this mistake. Two things 1) demarcate somehow (I did a a stacking fence – I posted recently but can send pics if needed) 2) as others said a sign. Meadow in Progress or something.
I am in lawn country so there were skeptics but showing intentionality really makes a differences. Especially (I found) with older folks
lycosa13
Why do you have to explain at all?
BFrank3315
We explained the black tarps covering our front slope by painting a little sign on a balsam plank that reads “Butterfly garden coming” and using landscaping signs to pin it in a visually prominent place.
LittlePuccoonPress
I know people say you don’t have to explain at all and that’s true.
But if you do explain via signs it can have more impact than just appeasing some disgruntled people. It can “bring them in” to the process, spark curiosity, make them see planting natives in a positive light, and maybe even help them feel comfortable talking to you to ask about the process and how they can do it if they see you out in the yard. Highly recommend signs of some sort!
Lorres
First of all, I don’t think you have to/should explain anything. Pretty obvious what’s going on imo. It’s not like lawn turns into mulch from neglect.
Secondly, I’m so excited because I’m planning on embarking on the same front yard journey in a couple of months. Can you tell us more about the prep you’ve done? When are you planting? Plugs, seeds or full plants? I’ve been doing some research and am just kind of overwhelmed at this point and wondering if I’m getting in over my head spending a lot of time and money for it to end up looking like shit. Oh and how did you make that rendering?
bluestocking220
If people ask directly, I would share this visual of your ultimate goal and describe it like a closet cleanout. You’re in that phase where things have to look worse before they get better.
You can tell them to mind their own, but if you share then you might inspire others to do the same.
sam99871
I would post a sign saying “this is how I like my yard, if you don’t like it you can screw off!” That way you and your neighbors can all have a big laugh in a few months when it’s all filled in with pretty flowers.
dhgrainger
You definitely don’t *have* to do anything, but it is common courtesy. I would stick a sign up – “Work in progress, please excuse the mess!”
Fish-lover-19890
Same boat 😂. I’m paranoid every time someone walks their dog past my house haha
ScaperMan7
Nice pollinator garden in progress sign with butterflies on it.
Ok-Strawberry-2469
Instead of apologizing for the mess, why not get people excited about what’s to come?
“Pollinator habitat in progress!”
“Coming soon: homes for birds, bees, and bugs!”
I got signs made through staples. You can design and order them online.
Oh boy do I remember this phase! I live on a short dead-end with only 8 houses so I was able to just tell the neighbors that I was sorry for the mess, but the yard as it was looked gross and this is what it takes to kill all the invasive weeds (English ivy, porcelain berry, honeysuckle). I explained how solarizing works and that it’s safer than chemicals that can drift in to their yards.
Now, my yard is in its “creep” year and the neighbors can see how beautiful native gardens can be – a few even ask me for gardening advice now! One neighbor’s dad was visiting and came over to tell me how much he loves what I’ve done. That felt like such a big moment because I never gave him the educational spiel about what I was doing – he just saw a native garden and loved it!
The mess phase sucks for everyone. It’s a lot of hard work and looks terrible, but your neighbors will come around when they see that you have a plan and the plan is beautiful
SowMuchChaos
What did you use for the mock up? I would like to use something similar. It would help my brain so much.
Electronic_Finance34
How did you create that visual plan? Love it
Old-Buffalo-9222
I’m sorry if this is already in the post somewhere but how did you make this amazing mockup? I make things like this in photoshop, but it is so time-consuming because I have to first find a high quality pic of each species at maturity, but the majority of internet plant pics are either the young plant for sale, a closeup of the flower only, or mislabeled. What is this magic you have??
boogalaga
I wish there was a sign I could buy that said something like, “Native Garden in Progress. Curious? I’d love to talk your ear off about it.”
Like, engage with me on my niche interest passion project? Good luck escaping that conversation. Approach me as a grumpy skeptic? Still an excuse for me to show you photos of every plant I’m hoping will thrive in my garden, complete with a botany lesson.
Cheerful nerdiness is a useful defense for fuss pots.
26 Comments
I would post signs saying something like “native ecosystem restoration in progress”. This is exciting, post updates!
Not that you should have to, but print this out and put it in a ziplock bag or sheet cover and post it in the yard…or just wait for the inevitable passive-aggressive comments and handle them case by case, like:
“Oh, looks like someone ordered too much mulch!”
Brace yourself, lol!
You don’t need to.
It’s your front yard and none of their business. You’re not concerned about their sterile monoculture.
You could stake the four corners and run a couple of lines between them. Hang a sign that says something like CAUTION or SITE PREP.
Use it as an opportunity to tell them the sins of the lawn.
I made this mistake. Two things 1) demarcate somehow (I did a a stacking fence – I posted recently but can send pics if needed) 2) as others said a sign. Meadow in Progress or something.
I am in lawn country so there were skeptics but showing intentionality really makes a differences. Especially (I found) with older folks
Why do you have to explain at all?
We explained the black tarps covering our front slope by painting a little sign on a balsam plank that reads “Butterfly garden coming” and using landscaping signs to pin it in a visually prominent place.
I know people say you don’t have to explain at all and that’s true.
But if you do explain via signs it can have more impact than just appeasing some disgruntled people. It can “bring them in” to the process, spark curiosity, make them see planting natives in a positive light, and maybe even help them feel comfortable talking to you to ask about the process and how they can do it if they see you out in the yard. Highly recommend signs of some sort!
First of all, I don’t think you have to/should explain anything. Pretty obvious what’s going on imo. It’s not like lawn turns into mulch from neglect.
Secondly, I’m so excited because I’m planning on embarking on the same front yard journey in a couple of months. Can you tell us more about the prep you’ve done? When are you planting? Plugs, seeds or full plants? I’ve been doing some research and am just kind of overwhelmed at this point and wondering if I’m getting in over my head spending a lot of time and money for it to end up looking like shit. Oh and how did you make that rendering?
If people ask directly, I would share this visual of your ultimate goal and describe it like a closet cleanout. You’re in that phase where things have to look worse before they get better.
You can tell them to mind their own, but if you share then you might inspire others to do the same.
I would post a sign saying “this is how I like my yard, if you don’t like it you can screw off!” That way you and your neighbors can all have a big laugh in a few months when it’s all filled in with pretty flowers.
You definitely don’t *have* to do anything, but it is common courtesy. I would stick a sign up – “Work in progress, please excuse the mess!”
Same boat 😂. I’m paranoid every time someone walks their dog past my house haha
Nice pollinator garden in progress sign with butterflies on it.
Instead of apologizing for the mess, why not get people excited about what’s to come?
“Pollinator habitat in progress!”
“Coming soon: homes for birds, bees, and bugs!”
I got signs made through staples. You can design and order them online.
Why would you need to explain anything.
Get one of these, they’ll stay away.
https://preview.redd.it/kp3948snwo9f1.png?width=247&format=png&auto=webp&s=60e823093fccf11334292c18936987e94fe082ac
Oh boy do I remember this phase! I live on a short dead-end with only 8 houses so I was able to just tell the neighbors that I was sorry for the mess, but the yard as it was looked gross and this is what it takes to kill all the invasive weeds (English ivy, porcelain berry, honeysuckle). I explained how solarizing works and that it’s safer than chemicals that can drift in to their yards.
Now, my yard is in its “creep” year and the neighbors can see how beautiful native gardens can be – a few even ask me for gardening advice now! One neighbor’s dad was visiting and came over to tell me how much he loves what I’ve done. That felt like such a big moment because I never gave him the educational spiel about what I was doing – he just saw a native garden and loved it!
The mess phase sucks for everyone. It’s a lot of hard work and looks terrible, but your neighbors will come around when they see that you have a plan and the plan is beautiful
What did you use for the mock up? I would like to use something similar. It would help my brain so much.
How did you create that visual plan? Love it
I’m sorry if this is already in the post somewhere but how did you make this amazing mockup? I make things like this in photoshop, but it is so time-consuming because I have to first find a high quality pic of each species at maturity, but the majority of internet plant pics are either the young plant for sale, a closeup of the flower only, or mislabeled. What is this magic you have??
I wish there was a sign I could buy that said something like, “Native Garden in Progress. Curious? I’d love to talk your ear off about it.”
Like, engage with me on my niche interest passion project? Good luck escaping that conversation. Approach me as a grumpy skeptic? Still an excuse for me to show you photos of every plant I’m hoping will thrive in my garden, complete with a botany lesson.
Cheerful nerdiness is a useful defense for fuss pots.
Unless you have an HOA they can stfu! lol
Oh your future planning looks amazing!
“Coming soon!” W/the mockup image