I recently bought this property and I'm hoping to get rid of all the grass. I'd like to use creeping and/or wooly thyme for the lawn areas and have plants that help support pollinators. I'd love a little vegetable garden too.
The lot has been unoccupied for 8 years. From what I can tell the soil is in rough shape, I've pulled so much out of it already, like broken pvc pipe pieces, plastic bags, and garbage. I plan to start composting as one way to improve the soil but other tips on improving the health of soil for growing plants and veggies would be appreciated!
So far I've tilled the whole thing, have used a fair amount of organic grass killer, but I feel like there could be more efficient ways to kill the remaining grass. So, any tips towards accomplishing these goals would be so greatly appreciated!
The first photo is where the yard is at currently, the second is my idea for what it could be (recs for plants/flowers for the yard appreciated!), and the last photo is what the lot looked like prior to anything, including the house being put on. If anyone has feedback on my plans for the yard I'd love to hear them! In the sketch, anything in pen is set in stone but everything in pencil is flexible!
by Bight_my_ass
4 Comments
I’m in NH, zone 5b, it’s also noted on the second photo but may be hard to see!
How to fun to get started! You can kill things off by mowing or weed eating the grass as low as possible, then cover all with mulch. There’s much better directions than that. You have a great blank slate!
If you choose some aggressive native plants they will crowd out most of the grass left.
You can also look at plants that will “amend” soils for later usage. For example, clover puts nitrogen back in the soil which is one way to start correcting the soil.
You have some good plans! You have an abundance of universities that have probably published native plants lists and care for your area.
Here is one link ( I am not familiar with zone 5b) so take it with a grain of salt!
https://www.exeternh.gov/cc/plant-native-plants
You really don’t need to kill the grass, it will die back the more you plant. I would sow Nitrogen fixers. My absolute favorite for your region is False Indigo and Yellow False Indigo.