The Tale of the Ugly Front Yards
Folks who have native wildflower and native plant yards are often criticized by HOAs and neighbors who think yards should be meticulously-kept lawns, regularly cut and fertilized. A recent Facebook discussion in a Native Gardening group reminded me of what had happened to me in my neighborhood in Kingsgate, King County (suburb of Seattle) in the mid-90s.
Several folks in the group suggested I write a children’s book on the experience, so I wrote a Dr. Seuss-type poem. “The Tale of the Ugly Front Yards” is in my CyranoWriter.com creative writing blog.
Spirit Tree Farms is proud to be listed as part of “Home Grown National Park“, an idea spawned by Dr. Doug Tallamy, as well as a featured project in LDS Earth Stewardship. Turning our front yard into a wildflower-based pollinator garden took some physical as well as mental/intellectual work: When I first bought the 6-acre property that’s come to be known as Spirit Tree Farms in Northwest Georgia’s Catoosa County, my future wife Marnie Kuhns saw the wildflowers and native plants which had popped up on the property from years of non-mowing neglect, and declared: “We need to mow this all down and turn our front yard to lawn.”
As I looked at the large chunk of land covered in Frostflower / Crownbeard, I told her “NO WAY!”
She has since changed her mind! In fact, she’s discovered how to partner with God’s creations to find peace in Nature. Our front yard is now full of bird, butterfly, and other pollinator-attracting native plants and wildflowers. Marnie recently published a book on finding peace in Nature.
In addition, she’s actively writing about Nature on her CreationGirl.com blog. This is one of my favorite pieces Marnie has written recently.
As a couple, we are also available to make presentations on the topic. We believe that, from the largest ranch in the West to the smallest planter on a porch or patio in the big city, everyone can invite Nature into their lives and living spaces (aka BioPhilia) and find peace by doing so.
