Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice on what to do with a section of our yard that’s more like an overgrown forest (?). We live in Alaska, for context. That area of the backyard is filled with native plants, ferns, and a lot of invasive or fast-spreading species, it’s completely untended at the moment.
I’d love to keep the ferns, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. I still want it to feel wild and natural, but I’d like it to be more intentional and manageable. Right now it’s just chaotic.
What are some steps I could take to start reclaiming and caring for this area without losing its natural beauty? Should I try mulching, clearing everything by hand, or something else?
Any ideas, tips, or inspiration would be really appreciated. I’ve attached a photo for context!
Thanks so much in advance!
by Valentina_From_Chile
41 Comments
Cut a circuitous path through it, then work on pulling invasives selectively from either side until it looks more managed. Along the way you can plant native wildflowers and in a few years you’ll have a nice path to stroll on, maybe even clear a few spots to chill? Bench, hammock, fire pit area… let your imagination run wild! But a path is a good way to start getting a lay of the land and picturing what you want
Looks like great native landscape, I’d let the native plants flourish
If i had the blessing of having land i would try to regrow native grasslands/woodlands to your area
Uh leave her alone.
Please leave it be
Absolutely gorgeous
Bee hives and other stuff
How about growing things wildlife might eat? I have wild apple trees and the drops put my woods on the daily rounds of local deer.
Nothing.
Nothing. Enjoy.
I’d put in a mini disc golf course!
I suppose dancing in the sun beams isn’t the answer you’re looking for?
Food forest
Don’t feel overwhelmed… Try looking at just a section at a time – not the whole project.
Work at your pace & just each section at a time. Try not to take too much of the habitat away so the creatures have a place to live.
Cut it down and build some really expensive apartments.
It’s gorgeous. If there’s no way to sit or lie and just enjoy this that is all I’d focus on, like someway to easily get to and use a hammock. Otherwise let it be.
I’d let that that stay as is, it’s beautiful.
Or maybe try to improve the area a bit, ensure no invasive species (if so, remove and replace with local wild flower or grasses) probably throw up a few bat houses too. Maybe get into population dynamics and bug/bird/small mammal identification so I can track if I’m doing any good. A Beautiful forest so my kids and maybe future grandkids can play in and explore.
Raise sasquatches
Sick MTB trails is what I’d do
I agree with Teknodruid – divide into workable areas and restore it. Remove invasive plants. If you end up with large empty areas, put some native plants in.
Ide are doing exactly that in a 120 acre park right now. We’re about 20 – 25 acres in to it by now.
I agree with those who say to let the natives do their thing, while eliminating invasives. If the costs aren’t prohibitive I would add some boulders and a wildlife pond.
Cut it down, and put some new trees on it. Would not want to have any part of land I own be left truly natural.
Just let it be a forest
Leave it!! It’s beautiful
zip line
relaxing’
Set up a dayz server and dont get sniped while walking through the open field
If you have sword ferns you can easily transplant them in fall or early spring. Be sure to plant them before the fronds begin to unfurl. I would suggest laying out a gently curving path to shape the area into pleasing islands of green. wood chips will make a nice surface for the path. Use the transplanted ferns to form groups of three or five ferns in groups that are shaped by the curves of the path. I would also use the trees as anchors for the groups of ferns and curves of the path.
I’d remove the invasives and otherwise do nothing else but add more natives
Build a tiny house for whatever u like. A wood shed, a she shed?? My dad is constantly building little sheds on our property up north WI. We have a wood shed, a blueberry shack it’s next to the blueberry patch, and the bunkhouse which I call the drunk house. We make anyone who gets drunk sleep in it. It’s actually really nice inside but no heat or ac. Hopefully next will be the weed shack… or weed house?? Just a bunch of cute tiny houses for me to have to fix later in life.
Chop it all down and pave it duh
I’d just build a little path through it.
Nothing. Maybe a simple gravel or stone pathway to appreciate it.
I would build a path through my favorite part and install a natural looking bench in the very best spot. Might as well have a place to sit and appreciate the beauty all around you!
Protect it. You have a responsibility.
I think God has handled that for you.
Burn it.
But for real though. Years of controlled burns will eliminate invasives and help fuel natives
disk golf? slack line?
Robinson crusoe that shit
At most, cut a trail.
Throw out native flowers