Back in 2019 we had to cut down a dying ash tree and regrade our backyard, so I decided to start converting our Minneapolis (zone 5) yard to native meadow plants and fruit trees/bushes. I’m 7 years into this project and in love with this grand experiment.
Some things have failed (lost the plum tree and native viburnum to pests, squirrels get most of our apples, and the patch of “no mow” grass seed ended up overrun by creeping charlie), but I can’t recommend meadow seed mixes enough for affordable and fascinating yard transformation (I got mine from Prairie Moon). Right now I’m watching monarch butterflies visiting the milkweed, the elderberry bushes are in bloom, and I’m hoping the chipmunks leave enough sour cherries for me to make a cherry cobbler.
Kill your lawn!
by TealToucan
7 Comments
Elderberry bushes look fantastic! If you can bear to cut off a bunch of the elderflower I’d highly recommend boiling them with a bunch of sugar and water to make a syrup. Lovely with some club soda (or wait and do the same with the berries)
That’s awesome. What’s that super bushy tree with the white flowers? Almost looks like a gray dogwood to me.
Very impressive!
As someone who just moved to the twin cities, this is my aspiration
I love the elderberries! I have two baby ones in my yard. They’ll take years to fill in, and it’s great to see what they’re capable of!
What got your plum? I planted an American plum a couple years ago, and it’s finally taking off this year.
That looks like a little slice of heaven!
I bet the fire flies are going WILD in your yard right now ❤️