This must be divine intervention! I just found this site TODAY. Looking for info on my URBAN Ohio zone 6a yard. I love all the post and think this will be the place to get helpful information. I am in a "higher" class suburban neighborhood where all the neighbors have the typical beautiful landscaped yards. We have the ugliest yard as we stopped spraying chemicals in our yard years ago. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to push mow our yard. My husband and I are very busy professionals-(me, by force-I am a tree hugger by heart..lol). I want to cut down on mowing by making a potager garden right outside the back door and a natural native island "meadow" in the back of the property. I have limited composing materials -basically the neighbors 8 pine trees dropping needles in my yard. I have a blank canvas-help!...Where do I start?