A small city yard in four parts

I love plants.

From the overall look of the yard it might not seem like it. In the summer of 2023 a zoning violation notice from the city labeled the yard a “public nuisance” and insisted I get the overgrown plants under control.

I couldn’t really argue. Grasses had reached over 2 ft tall. Common milkweed dominated the space. A “bear path” crossed the front yard where we walked to get from the driveway to the mailbox. The mailbox was crowded by wild flowers, more milkweed, and a Clematis. It was decidedly not the same as the yards up and down the street. Manicured lawns are the norm, along with some truly well cared for, and beautiful, ornamental shrubs and flower plantings.

Still, my yard was a space I loved and it broke my heart just a bit to know it was considered a nuisance.

I stopped mowing my lawn because I appreciate the wild look of grasses and native plants. There are also climate benefits as meadow plants absorb more carbon than a lawn. With the arrival of the zoning violation, however, I realized my approach of simply not mowing wasn’t the best way to achieve my ultimate goal.: an urban meadow. If I wanted something other people could at least appreciate looking at, and maybe love, it was time to be more intentional about the plants in the yard.

Welcome to Quad Meadow.

Over the next few years I’ll be working to create an urban meadow space filled with native plants and wild flowers. Come here to see the work I’m doing, meet the plants that live here (and will live here), and read more about how this small, city space can be a benefit, not an eyesore.