Our front lawn became a garden in seven months.
From wood chips in October to 380 plants in May. The steps we took in our own front yard, and what we would tell anyone planning the same.
In October 2025 the front of our house was mostly lawn. By August 2026 it was a garden of native perennials, grasses and shrubs, full enough that people stop on the sidewalk. Here is how we got there.
October: cover the lawn.
We cut the grass short, marked out the beds and paths, and covered the planting area with a thick layer of wood chips from a local arborist, about 15 to 20 cm deep. We do not use cardboard. Over the winter the chips smother the lawn, and the grass and chips break down into food for the soil. You can do this at any time of year, but fall gives it the most time to work.
Winter: plan the planting.
We chose plants for each part of the yard by its light: sun lovers along the sidewalk, plants that take part shade on the sides, and woodland plants close to the house. Part of the old lawn became a St. Lawrence Lowlands demonstration bed, and another part a meadow bed that shows what a lawn alternative can look like.
May: plant through the mulch.
In May 2026 we planted 380 plants of 41 native species straight through the chips, in drifts. We mixed large potted plants with small plugs. The big pots give the garden shape and colour in its first summer, and the plugs fill in around them for much less money. That mix is the reason the garden did not look sparse for two years.
Summer: the first season.
The first summer needed watering in dry spells and some weeding. By August the garden looked full, and monarchs were feeding on the Joe-Pye weed. You can compare the before and after on our home page, and look up every plant in our plant guide.
If you want the same in your yard, a 90-minute consult is the place to start. It comes with a short written report, and the fee comes off any coaching season or garden.
