I used to have a lawn, but now I have...

I used to have a lawn, but now I have more...

...more plant diversity,

...more recognition and appreciation of the changing seasons, January 2009

May 2009

September 2009

...more wildlife,

...more pathways for wandering and more time for wondering.
Now, I have so much more than I could ever have with a lawn.

Earlier this month the Lawn Reform Coalition launched its website. The goal of the organization is to promote change in the American lawn.

The typical American lawn is doused with chemicals to make it green and free of insects and disease. Lawns are flooded in more of our precious drinking water than necessary to keep them green. Lawns require regular maintenance that creates noise and air pollution. After all that work, the lawn is a sterile, monoculture environment that does little to support wildlife and it looks just like the one next door.

Susan Morrison, one of the members of The Coalition, is running a contest on her blog Blue Planet Garden Blog to win a copy of John Greenlee's new book The American Meadow Garden. The premise of the contest is to fill in the blank: "I used to have a lawn, but now I have ______." Thus, the purpose of this post. I believe in the cause and I want a free book!

Check out the Lawn Reform Coalition website and Susan Morrison's website for more information.

September Bloom Day

A couple of shots from the backyard.

From left to right: Snow on the Prairie (Euphorbia bicolor), Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), and Pitcher Sage (Salvia azurea).

In this picture are Snow on the Prairie, Flowery Senna (Senna Corymbosa), Bush Sunflower (Simsia calva), Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha), Zexmenia (Zexmenia hispida), and Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea).

Evidence of Rain

It rained on my urban prairie two weeks ago. We received about 2 inches over the course of the week. The temperatures cooled from the 100s to the low 90s; creating a pleasant diversion from our typical hot, dry (but humid) summer.

The rain is just memory now. The the soil is drying out again, however the rain did leave leave its mark. Several plants on the prairie burst into bloom in appreciation of the rain. Below is evidence of the rain.

Beebrush, Aloysia gratissima, was covered in flowers and bees. It filled the backyard with a fragrance similar to vanilla.

This compact Texas sage, Leucophyllum frutescens 'Compactum', was covered in flowers. I did not think about taking a picture until most of the flowers had faded.

These rain lilies, Zephyranthes 'Prairie Sunset', are looking up to the sky for more rain.
I wish I had a steady hand when taking pictures. I like the way the sunlight glows through the center of this rain lily. I believe this one is Cooperia drummondii.
Maybe we will get another round of blooms soon. There is a slight chance of rain this week.