I chose this location in my yard for my new native plant area because it is a prime location for a transformation. In addition to planting new native plants, I must also remove and replace the non-native plants in the background. The removal/replacement part of the project will begin early spring. It is important to start with an area and size that you can manage so you do not become overwhelmed. Through this journal, I am sharing what methods I have chosen to use to create a new native garden space. I am not an expert so this project is a work in progress which will consist of trial and error.

Phase one- Define your work area. I created an area that is 9' x 9' in space and I chose to use the rocks that were already there for a border. Borders are entirely up to you.

Phase two- Cover the area with thin cardboard or paper. The paper products will do the work of preventing the grass from growing.

Phase three- Cover the paper product with dirt. The dirt layer will keep the cardboard in place. I relocated 13-five gallon buckets of dirt to my new area. I was fortunate to have dirt available from a French Drain project that we placed in our yard last summer.

Phase four- Cover the dirt with compost, natural mulch or soil. I used rich soil which I removed from my compost area in my yard. I spread 13- five gallon buckets on this area. This photo shows the area half covered, so you can see the difference in the color of the dirt vs. the rich, composted soil.

Phase five- Cover the soil with straw. The method I am using was given to me by a friend who has created many native plant areas in her yard. She uses straw as a final layer to her project. As I have lots of trees in my yard, I chose to use what I have on hand- leaves. I am not sure if it will make a difference or not, but I thought I would give it a go. I then covered the leaves with large branches to help keep the leaves from blowing away and tucked them in as best I could. Time will tell!