An Introduction on Converting Lawn to Prairie Gardens

Urban lawns are high maintenance, resource-intensive, ecologically-barren Superfund sites. We can do better when we learn from and mimic local prairie or meadow plant communities from our region. Whether you live in Pennsylvania or Georgia, Arizona or Oregon, there are prairies, grasslands, and savannas to study.

In this 28 minute video see some exciting examples and possibilities, explore the basic how-to from prep to design to management, and take the first step into a healthier future where we live, work, and play. Prairie up!

Starting Your Native Plant Garden
Green Mulching With Sedge Plugs
Fundamentals of Garden Layers
Cultivars 101
Designing With Common Nursery Plants
Encounters With Weed Authorities

We host a vibrant online community / forum of native plant gardeners, offer long-distance Zoom design consultations, and provide keynote addresses for a variety of organizations. Benjamin Vogt is the author of A NEW GARDEN ETHIC: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future, and PRAIRIE UP: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design.

[lollabells]

Thank you I have been on a CRUSADE to convince my family that grass isn’t the way to go! I just started converting our yard to a native paradise that is welcoming to the birds, butterflies, frogs rabbits & deer! My parents were sitting on our back porch last summer & they commented on how beautiful & peaceful it was! They couldn’t believe all the birds! Sometimes it’s just easier to show people- that’s how I won over my family at least & YES THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE the beauty & less work! Not to mention it’s a wonderful teaching environment for our children, they get to see frogs, newts, baby birds & owls - to see their joy is amazing. They are learning to appreciate nature & respect our environment right outside their back door! Those are lessons being lost on too many young people these days.

[TheAdventureAuto]

My wife and I bought a house in December of 2022, and the roughly .25 acre backyard was all turf grass with 2 medium sized Dogwood trees in the back corners. I went to town and in one season built a path that twists and turns around the perimeter, planted 4 small native trees, over 40 shrubs, and too many perennials to count. I created a large area reserved for milkweed to help the Monarchs. And I've dug out two ponds. Looking forward to year 2.

[adiposerex]

Our lawns are very European. It’s easy to see they don’t belong here. Grass is actually the weed. People sink lots of dollars on weeds. Too funny.

[girlintheglen]

I decided to pursue this path out of frustration with the cost of hiring someone to mow. Coming out of winter it was good timing. I was surprised to discover this subculture of meadow cultivators. In a short space of time my property is now boasting ground covers that flower and attract bees, and I'm able to use my push mower (not power), for a few paths within my new meadow inspired landscape.

[katiekruger]

“Make good trouble” thanks so much for this! I’ve had a lot of neighbor resistance (especially to our chosen method of spraying) which has been very discouraging. This was the boost I needed!! Off to go do a winter seeding and convert our MN backyard to prairie and pollinator habitat. (planning to add plugs in spring).

[Grimace]

For those that want the HOW to covert your lawn, 13:55 is where you want to go.

[jdawg]

I’m so pumped! I have a somewhat large yard to convert . Still enough in the back to have a nice turf rectangle to play on. I’m all for less watering for sure and I love seeing nature do it’s thing. Great great video!

[ziptiefighter]

I didn't set out to do this five years ago, but here I am...~3/4 of my front lawn has been converted to mostly (not all) natives. Some intermixed traditional (i.e. non-native) plants (daffodils, iris, tulips, lavender, et al) temper the anxiety of passing neanderthals.

[resrunnerwhitey]

My city just tried no mow may for one year and cancelled it! BUT here in Minnesota our glorious leaders allow us have a native prairie lawn!!!! I'm setting up a greenhouse next spring just to get as many flats of native plants going as possible and to spread the love BAHAHAHAHA

[bjo]

Great video. Great idea. We seeded about 12 acres in spring 2021. By the following autumn it already looked great and will only get better.

[katiebird]

Great video! I'm in to my first year restoring my front lawn to native plants. I'm documenting the process and will share it probably after year 3. The first year was pretty rough/weedy ugly...but I'm so glad I pushed through because I think year 2 is going to be beautiful! And I was surprised at how supportive my neighbors were. People would literally stop and tell me it was "really coming along" and it was beautiful. Your video is definitely inspiring!

[Leaflimb]

This presentation is so good, thank you, Benjamin!

[magyardeutschusa]

I've learned more from your postings on native plants than any other.

[tinyjunglejoy]

I have great success with my ‘pollinator patch’ in MI this year. I’m planning to expand it and am adding more natives to my landscape. I have almost no lawn in the front and get consistent compliments from passers by

[freeradiorulo]

Nice work brother tear up that turf! I read your book and it convinced me to put in a native pollinator plot! I made a video about it as well. Keep up the good work!

[bronwenh]

I just had my front yard completely done in natives, and working on my backyard. I’m hoping to influence the people in my development. @Benjamin Vogt, has anyone in your neighborhood changed their lawns over to native gardens? I believe most of your pictures are from your own home, and everyone around you still has nothing but lawn.

[noahejones]

Appreciate the video! One follow up: can you please expand on what “spray kill” means to you ( Round Up, vinegar, etc….) Thanks!

[samuraioodon]

we don't have HOA but my city government of plant, texas has given me a few warnings about doing a pure clover garden. i told them the reason and so far no fines. i have changed it earlier this summer to a native garden that hopefully will bring more wildlife and pollinators. i mulched on very thick to kill off unwanted weeds and as time passes i will be propagating and making it as dense as possible. i only see 1 out of 50 homes that have this style. i'm also interested in bring more monarchs to my house, probably will buy bulks of milkweed and find a place to plant them.

[melissamitarotonda]

What a great video, one of the most helpful one I have watched recently!

[awildapproach]

Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing it with us. I learned a lot.☺️