Mark Huntington

I posted something earlier today in community > personal challenges, two people responded, then about an hour later it was gone.

What did I do?

Hello,

I recently started donating to Greenpeace and NRDC and I thought I'd ask if anyone on permies does something similar. One thing I'd like to learn about environmental advocacy is which groups seem to be the most effective?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

I've heard about micro clover too, it's on my shortlist.

Thank Douglas

Hi Joyce,

We live in Vermont which means the first 2 feet of our lawn near the road will need to be left open for snow from the road plow, maybe just whatever grass alternative we go with. The hedges on the left are the boundary on that side, so I'd like this entire space to be flower/shrub garden.

The other problem is that strip of lawn between the house and hedges, it is very shaded so I'm not sure what we will plant there.

I do like your idea of wildflowers, I think we will have a fair amount of those.

I've seen several people in Montpelier VT who have vegetable gardens on their front lawn. I like that idea but my wife doesn't like it, she is one of the millions of people on this planet who cling to the old idea of a manicured lawn, at the expense of the planet.

EDIT - I'm trying to figure out how to insert an image, not going well so far.

EDIT 2 - Got it!

Hello,

I would like to make our front yard into a - flower, shrub, and maybe other types of plant - garden in order to do away with part of our lawn for environmental reasons, not to mention we like the looks of many we've seen around.

The problem is that I don't have any experience doing this sort of thing.

What I was hoping to end up with is a mix of flowers, small bushes, etc, but what I'd really like to figure out first is which grass alternative to plant between them. I've heard good things about creeping thyme and dwarf carpet of the stars. I like the idea of being able to walk on it, as well as the low-maintenance climate friendly aspect.

Wondering if anyone would share their experiences with lawn alternatives.

I'm interested as well if it's still available.

Your post makes me wish I were younger, handsome, muscular, intelligent, and a better sense of humor wouldn't hurt!

Good luck.

Hello,

I was talking to a tree farm owner today about planting everything from a simple flower garden to blueberry bushes and we walked about how to prep an area and kill any grass or weeds that might be there.  He likes to use hay, which surprised me since I've heard that hay can have a lot of weed seeds. I've also heard that wood chips can be used.

Does anyone here have an opinion on this subject? Are there any good methods you'd suggest?