A house and garage expansion made way for this major site renovation, which includes a large edible garden with raised beds, fire pit, paver walkways, rain gardens, permeable driveway, and a huge selection of native plants! The rain gardens, drainage and permeable driveway were critical in managing water on the site in a natural way.

This site was transformed from a wetland to a lush native wonderland. Standing water along the front landscape was remedied with the creation of two rain gardens, two seeded prairies, and the use of deeply rooted native plants appropriate for moist conditions. The rain gardens were excavated and filled with a mix of sand, topsoil, and compost. They were designed to collect runoff from the existing driveway and sidewalk. Plantings in these areas included natives such as blue flag iris, milkweed, sweetspire, red twig dogwood, rattlesnake master, and serviceberry. Plant material needed to be able to stand wet feet, absorb water, and have seasonal appeal. Layering was important for aesthetics and wildlife habitat value, and sequential blooms were essential to provide nectar sources spring through fall. The seeded prairie included five native grasses and 16 native forbs. In addition to reducing runoff, prairie plantings reduce mowing needs and add habitat. Cohesiveness was created by massing native perennials and shrubs and repeating them throughout along the front of the house, with the landscape getting progressively wilder spanning away from the house. Layers of native trees also were added throughout for height, structure, and habitat. These trees aided with screening from the neighbors and also from headlights along the nearby road. Small trees including serviceberry and hornbeams were used for height accents and seasonal interest and were chosen so that no shadows were cast on the house for future solar panels. Invasive pear trees that initially lined the driveway also were replaced with diverse native species.

The rear landscape offers entertainment around the fire pit, multiple raised cedar and corten steel beds for edibles, custom cedar arbors and a pergola. The most recent phase of this eco-friendly project included invasive removal and an additional prairie as well as rewilding of the back.
The permeable paver driveway is constructed of Techo-Bloc Pure paver and bordered by exposed aggregate to coordinate with the rest of the project. The paver walkway and custom cedar “Davinci” arbor invite friends and family to the backyard and lead them to a small paver patio and fire pit. A few years later we added corrugated Corten raised edible beds, a coordinating cedar arbor for vining edible plants, and relocated cedar edible raised beds to the same area. In addition, asparagus, blueberries and other perennial edible favorites were incorporated into the garden. A compost bin was also added. Home to several dogs, the backyard was reclaimed with another fence to separate dogs and nice landscape area, while the new cedar pergola doubled as a food structure and shade and entrance to the deck for the dogs.

The newest phase of the project includes invasive removals around the property, a low grass prairie in the front yard for pollinators, birds and general love of the environment, as well as another prairie in the back.

Overall, this project is a environmentalist’s dream come true and is a pleasure to be in. Homegrown food, natives, per