A Prairie Blooms - In My Backyard

During the pandemic, we chose to allow the 140x40-foot parcel of land on which my house stands to rewild. We sowed native prairie seeds during midwinter, letting the freeze-thaw cycle nestle the seeds in the earth while probably feeding many wild birds in the process. The yard has not been mowed in four years. This past summer, we hand-cut pathways through the abundant brown-eyed susans, golden rod, asters, Joe Pye weed, mother's wort, sedge grasses, cup plant, coneflower, and dozens of other plants that have taken root. Our basement no longer floods as the water has millions of roots to feed. The apple and cherry trees are more abundant than I ever could have imagined. Wildlife has returned in droves, including owls, crows, eagles, and hawls. Dozens of year-round and migratory songbirds, squirrels, chipmunks, voles, turtles, mice, raccoons, possums, butterflies, bees, and even an ermine pass through or make a home in our yard. Our 100+ year old elm grandmother tree thrives despite being infected with Dutch elm disease. Best yet, several of our neighbors have followed suit.