The idea of keeping at least some of a garden natural and relatively uncultivated is growing in popularity. Even in traditionally well-manicured suburban enclaves, the concept is taking root.
Natural spaces in the garden add beauty, texture, and visual interest. There are also benefits to natural areas that go beyond aesthetics. Leaving natural spaces is good for the environment, it attracts and supports pollinators and wildlife, and requires minimal maintenance and cost.
There aren’t many downsides to consider. One is that neighbors might complain. Some people think natural gardens look messy and some homeowners’ associations are restrictive about what you can do with your landscaping. But, overall, natural areas are highly beneficial, and if managed correctly, are also attractive. Here are some natural garden ideas to try to get your toes wet or to go all the way in.
One of the biggest recent trends in natural gardening is choosing alternatives to turf grass. A traditional grass lawn is not natural at all. It requires a lot of maintenance, is costly to maintain, and does not support native wildlife or pollinators. There are many options for alternatives to a lawn. A simple solution is to create more garden beds to reduce the lawn footprint. Fill these beds with native species for a healthier, more natural landscape design.
Another idea that homeowners are embracing more often is creating meadows. Letting some areas of cultivated grass grow into a natural meadow with native wildflowers is both pretty and environmentally friendly. If meadows are natural in your area, remove the turf grass from the intended area and replace it with native meadow species of grass and wildflower.
Another way to be more natural in the yard is to
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