This yard went from compacted soil and sad gardens to a thriving ecosystem. We completed a custom design in late 2022 and this is the space in fall of 2024, only two short years later.

Here is a bit about the journey from the homeowner's perspective:

"Hello, I'm your guide to my two-year-old prairie pollinator garden. Our space is so full with life, from various bees, including our very own leaf cutter bees, to butterflies, moths, chickadees, and sparrows. The soil is alive with earthworms, ants, and other beneficial creatures improving our clay soil. The transformation in just two years has been astonishing, and I love staring at life teeming in our garden.

When my husband and I purchased our home in 2022, the garden was covered with landscaping cloth and overrun invasive plants. We removed the fabric ourselves. We enlisted Common Ground, they helped remove the dying plants, replace a large tree and shrubs, and create a dry creek to manage water flow. Taylor also guided us in plant selection. Over the past two summers, I’ve enthusiastically added more plants as I learned and found space.

We are amazed at how our garden has flourished in only two full seasons, with plants growing from tiny two-inch plugs to heights of one to three feet. We’re excited to continue this journey, adding to the garden each year and watching it evolve. This space has brought us learning, a connection to nature and our community, and immense joy. The hard work has been worth it, especially as it inspires our neighbors and allows us to share seeds with those interested."