Growing a Greener World Episode 1011: Creating a Meadow Garden, Anywhere Around Your Yard

[@blakegranquist481]

I really love the meadow movement. Replacing sod with Forbes is a no-brainer for me. The only thing I wished this video talked about was the importance of using native plants. When I went into American Meadows’ website eager to find a selection of seeds I was quite disappointed at the result. Only 2 out of the 28 varieties in the mix recommended for my area were native. In fact, some of the varieties are known invasives in my region. Having native plants is important for me because they function better with the local fauna. I just really wish I could find somewhere that sells native seed mix for where I live. (If you think you can help me out I live in the Denver metro area)

[@miketheseedmanlizotte1849]

Hello Blake..Did you check out our native mixtures/species that we offer? Yes, natives are very important and I would be more than happy to point you in the right direction on our site or explore a custom mix as well! Feel free to reach out to me directly at [e-mail] Thanks!

[@pamelah6431]

I agree. It's not an 'American Meadow' if it is made out of non-native plants.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

@@pamelah6431 They can make you a custom mix if you ask for it.

[@bryn4339]

Roundstone Native Seed!

[@Bluessongstress1963]

I love in Virginia Beaver Virginia -Is also love some suggestions. for me, the meadow movement is a beautiful one that helps in so many ways but one of them is that I would have less space to have to mow… As I am suffering from joint issues this would really help me… I’m also a vegetable gardener, and I would love more of the pollinators!🥰🙌🙏

[@Serendipity1160]

Honestly, I didn't want this video to end. Gloriously beautiful.

[@blahdeblaaah9445]

Wow you don’t have to do anything after you plant them? That is perfect for me. Thank you for this cideob

[@carennash9853]

Ordered my seed from American Meadows! Have a great area to plant them in.

[@anao.4528]

Thus episode made my heart sing. Went straight to order hoping I can create a beautiful meadow where I stand.

[@rickrogers4990]

Well today I learned meadows culture and inspired to grow meadows

[@stevenrantanen9621]

Great episode. I love native plants and meadows. I have my seeds already.

[@blakegranquist481]

Just so you know, most of the plants in these mixes are actually not native to the US. In fact, some of the species in the mix recommended by American Meadows for my area are known invasives. Still, using these flowers are better than saud, in my opinion.

[@stevenrantanen9621]

I did not buy seeds from the company that is featured in this episode. I bought them from a company located within my own state. The seeds that I bought are native to my area.

[@jewdd1989]

This just makes me so happy! Years ago I’d driven past a house with a wildflower garden... as it developed and grew the more sporadic and fun the textures and colors were and I’ve always preferred natural to planned out gardens, this is a brilliant movement of how gardens should be constructed and that is allowing nature to decide where a seed grows, a bloom pops up! Beautiful!!!

[@anafindlay1696]

I absolutely loved this video, if only everyone watching this video reserved an area in their yard or property to grow wild flowers this would be a better world. Growing Meadows flowers are so beneficial to our pollinators which are already struggling. in return you will attract loads of wild life to your yard which are a delight to observe! I converted my front yard into a cottage garden eliminating all the grass and planting wild flowers, perennials and host plants for butterflies! I'm in the process of trying to convince/influence some of my neighbors to perhaps do the same!! Thank you for an amazing video 🐞🐝🦋🐦💞🌷

[@ggwtv]

Thanks, Ana. I was inspired also. I'm starting to see more people add a section of their landscape to a meadow and I hope the trend is just getting started. We need more of this. Glad you loved this one! Thanks for watching.

[@theresawoodlake5769]

Can't wait to start my Meadow Garden,to see butterfly's,bees

[@Dot2TrotsLowCarbLiving]

I love this episode! I wanted to add wild flowers to my tiny garden but thought you need a lot of space. Now I know better.

[@ggwtv]

Yay! So glad this inspired you. You will love the activity that comes from your efforts. Plant it and they will come.

[@cerealkiller4248]

I’m planning a large wildflower meadow next summer. It should have been this year but a faulty tiller which had to be sent off for repairs twice prevented me turning the soil over. The tiller has now been returned and replaced with an electric one, and our 3/4 acre garden will have a few different types of meadow next year to see which works best in our conditions. These types of videos are keeping my enthusiasm going 😁

[@denisepresland6081]

This was fabulous. I have been wanting to create a meadow garden in a one acre spot. THis really got me excited!

[@ggwtv]

Wonderful, Denise! It's a very inspiring opportunity that we all have if we have a yard. I'm glad this is a trend starting to catch on.

[@soultrekcentral]

hmm, this completely changed my perspective for my plot. I was about to scythe it all down and turn it into a clean lawn :)

[@seansherlock9047]

Very well done. Can’t wait to try this

[@MommaFromScratch]

It’s so beautiful! Hoping to create this at my home next year!!

[@atefbasha1809]

And All my a great to MOM's !!All a great TO Grandma's !THANK YOU SO MUCH !!

[@thomaskarp5336]

Beautiful job Mike. Sadie is a natural. All the best Papa

[@amritagill1680]

Super helpful and educational. I enjoyed it and feel I can add a mini meadow 😊

[@sallyhenry1716]

LUV IT🌺🌸🌼...Thanks Joe and especially Sadie🤗 ...going to check out the mini meadows book ASAP😃

[@miketheseedmanlizotte1849]

Thanks for the kind words!!

[@miketheseedmanlizotte1849]

Thanks for the kind words, Sally!!

[@peterstevens6555]

W0W !!! That Looks Great, Merry Christmas from Auckland, New Zealand ...

[@martinamorgan1119]

Love flowers,,,,

[@barbararoyal6139]

Great job Sadie! Keep gardening. Mother Earth needs young people like you🌼

[@pattihabby]

I have the Perfect Spot ! Thank You for this info ! :}

[@moonpathwoman]

One word...glorious!

[@rickwalker5203]

Been planning my meadow for over a year. Used black tarp to kill grass, ordered seeds from American Meadows, last week. Going for the perennial meadow, not as showy as the annual meadow, but at 67 yrs old, perennial is great. May add some plug plants nest year.

[@nautilus2612]

How's the meadow coming along?

[@rickwalker5203]

We moved in March 2023, to West Virginia, so my Ohio meadow is under control of new owners. I’m working on starting a new mini meadow here in Charleston, 6’ wide x 50’. 😊

[@MyClutteredGarage]

This was fantastic!

[@ambulocetusnatans]

I just made an order with American Meadows. I am replacing the grass in my lawn with native ground covers. It's hard because that grass doesn't give up, but it will be the best yard on the block when I'm done. And I never need to water or mow.

[@atefbasha1809]

TO The Love..To The Love !! If threre's The Love!! 🍅🐱🐩🐶😆😅😄🍓🍒🍉🍎🍏🏛🌐🎷🌮🇺🇸🎧🕭🎏🗺🎤🎸🎻🎆🍖🌮🌭

[@rambukah76]

What a beautiful episode 👌🏻❤️

[@homesteadlady3acrehomestead]

Another GREAT video. Great job Sadie :)

[@alisonburgess345]

I had been thinking of doing this - we have a very nasty woody weed though, called cape broom which I’m going to have to eradicate before I do. It throws a lot of seed so it’s going to take a while. I’m determined to do it - the local bees etc will love it! Wonderful video guys.

[@ggwtv]

It will be worth it. No doubt you'll have some work ahead of you but it sounds like you need to get that weed out of there anyway so other beneficial plants and flowers have a chance to fill that space. Good luck!

[@justkate158]

I just love this so much.

[@rebeccazody1278]

Great video. I have now ordered seeds from Mike. Can’t wait to get them planted.

[@tannenbaum3444]

I didn't hear you talk about stratification of wild flower seed, i.e, the seed needs to go through a cold period in order to germinate. Seeding in the Spring would not germinate that seed, so seeding just before winter would take care of that need, the seed would then germinate in the Spring. Or alternative one could refrigerate it if freeze for 2-3 weeks and then seed.

[@umiluv]

He did in the sense that he said the perennials will show up the following year. Annuals don’t need cold stratification typically. It’s the perennials that do and why they show up the following year.

[@leslieollerhead1114]

Yayyy first time ever .. first comment .. very interesting awesome video ty .. now I want a small meadow patch in my garden!! 🥰

[@ggwtv]

Hi, Leslie. Thanks for your comment. You will really enjoy your little meadow plot. It was fun to see how many butterflies and pollinators show up when you plant a meadow garden, even a very small one. Thanks for watching.

[@vhoy7899]

Beautiful

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

Beautiful thank you

[@magdalen5108]

The spots without growth are important for ground nesting bees

[@asubstantiallife7557]

This was so great! I really LOVE meadow gardens, but wonder if I'd be able to plant one in my very dry, rocky (hard!) ground surrounded by California Oak Trees??? Zone 9B???

[@justkate158]

Sadie Rocks!!

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

I would have wanted to know about care after season ends

[@katiekane5247]

Often, a once a year mowing, not too low, is done to discourage tree growth. Ideally, this would be early spring to allow the birds to have seed through the winter. Check your counties Agriculture Extension, it's free information supported by area colleges & trained staff. Horticultural, food & even livestock information is there. A list of native plants & invasives to avoid are a great start. Good luck! I also use the inaturalist app for identification & to see what else is around me. It's free & run by a university. Another favorite channel of mine is Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't, a self taught, sometimes crude, botanist from Chicago. His knowledge & passion for native plants is unparalleled.

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

@@katiekane5247 thanks for the advice!

[@YayaHortus]

I would love to have this meadow style in my front and backyard, but because I have pets who love to go outside and they bring in the fleas and ticks inside my house. to the point we’re mowing 2x a week in the summer. My daughter and I had to get tested for Lyme disease because of these bugs.

[@mona3367]

awesome!!!

[@oldmanjimh3165]

Thank you.

[@websurfer44]

When you talk about the leveling rake and say, you have probably seen landscapers using this tool; I would say most of us recognize it from watching professional baseball, lol

[@ninastone9054]

Do I just have to accept it when my wildflowers bend over, break or lay down after a heavy rain?? I guess if I had more land and a larger plot of wildflowers i wouldnt notice it. But it hurts me when my beautiful flowers are damaged. Fyi I am currently reading mini meadows thanks to my local library

[@emkn1479]

Just thinking out loud here... could you fashion (or purchase) some kind of support in which chicken wire or another thin mesh is hovering above the soil space on vertical supports, so plants can grow through it and use it for support during rain or wind? We did this with some metal grating for our peonies and it has worked wonders. (PS You’ve inspired me and I might add this to my husband’s project list, as we also have a small patch of wildflowers that suffers in extreme weather.)

[@emkn1479]

I’ve read that to get better spreading the seed should be mixed with damp sand or something to hold it in place so it doesn’t blow away. That would also make the seed go further, when I’m just slinging seed I always grab too much.

[@skylady64ish93]

Birds and squirrels don’t pilfer the seeds without mulch or compost on top of them?

[@lesliekendall5668]

So funny, I just ordered from American Meadows earlier today.

[@cliffdariff74]

I live in California, where of course we don’t get the rain as many other states. Do you have ideas for a dry meadow planting?

[@itsyreverafter]

Plant right before a rain

[@katiekane5247]

Use native plants, they are adapted to the climate & rain fall. Your county Extension service likely can offer help.

[@awebb470]

Hi I just like to say a fantastic video the flowers were pretty and fantastic I'm going to try and do a Small Meadow I hope it is good as yours thank you😍😍❤❤

[@zinnialady5153]

Got me to thinking

[@NathanShepard]

So by planting a "meadow" one requirement should be regionally native species only. Otherwise its just another ornamental garden that doesn't do much for wildlife.

[@gsacki2010]

🙌🏼

[@cwilli26]

Fantastic video! Question: should I be concerned about introducing a non-native species to my area?

[@rosaliewetzel6662]

Yes. Go for natives!

[@nautilus2612]

Better avoid non-natives, some might become too dominant, other might not survive, and they usually provide less value for wildlife

[@marymcandrew7667]

Loved this episode too, I can't wait to move to our new house where I can do a meadow. Is there a way I can figure out what zone type it would match in the USA if the property is in the Scottish Borders? It's rather wet there but not as harsh a winter as the northern US.

[@davidjames2145]

I'd ignore that if I were you; there's plenty of info and supplies on UK meadow mixes. Stick to UK provenance seeds and planting. Soil in the Borders is often acidic but native Scottish flowers provide plenty of choice. You can also add lime if you want to.

[@marymcandrew7667]

@@davidjames2145 thanks David, I have a pretty good collection of wildflowers started now in Northumberland, I'm positive all will grow well in the Borders. Are you the David I know (FB) who is into butterflies?

[@davidjames2145]

@@marymcandrew7667 Hi Mary. No, sorry, that's not me - I don't bother with social media. I do like butterflies though! Best of luck with your planting. Never give up and don't forget to use yellow rattle to suppress the grass. 🙂

[@kiaratimika2339]

I’m really nervous to do this, as I live in Australia and Brown Snakes are everywherrrre here, any info on snakes & wildflowers???

[@ABAP0724]

I would recommend researching your local area and what habitats the brown snake tend to stay in.

[@poacher7805]

Very interesting. Considering do this but my property is bordered but a forest. My question is how are the fall leaves handled? Do you just leave them lie or is there a way to clean them up without disturbing the meadow?

[@lindabarber4796]

Where can I purchase wildflower seasonal mix seeds on line?

[@Betty-qd8st]

Love it

[@southernsignatures1295]

How often do you have to replant, and what's involved in transitioning from one planting to the next? Is there any maintenance involved between seasons? Great ideas, thank you!

[@anafindlay1696]

Check out American Meadows website they have tons of great information! Good luck 🦋

[@miketheseedmanlizotte1849]

Hello SouthernSignatures...This would really depend on the lifecycle of the wildflowers that you plant. We offer a nice selection of wildflower blends, with most containing both annuals and perennials. A mix with both will provide annual color in the first growing season and perennials for the second and successive seasons, so you're getting the best of both worlds. But if you just wanted perennials or you just wanted a short term annual solution, we have those as well. Here's a link to our instructional page that will help answer a number of these questions: www.americanmeadows.com/fall-planting-wildflower-seeds Let me know if I can be of further assistance!

[@troyeager8877]

I have a 50 by 50 plus area that is wet most of the year. It is a natural spring plus where our lateral field is. I cant mow it until late fall. Any plants for this that could help?

[@ggwtv]

I would contact American Meadows for this question, Troy. They really have been doing this a long time and are well acquainted with the seeds they offer. It also depends on where you live on what they can suggest.

[@miketheseedmanlizotte1849]

Hello Troy...We actually have a number of wetland wildflowers that would thrive very well in those growing conditions. I would check out our Native Regional Mixtures that you can find here: www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/native-wildflowers

[@stillcan1871]

Where do u get the starting seeds from to make ur proprietary blend seeds?

[@thinking7667]

do you have to cut the growth back during the fall? what does it look like in the winter? is there anything that's evergreen in a meadow? thx

[@nautilus2612]

Yes, you have to cut it back after the plants set seed. During winter foliage goes yellow

[@charliezicolillo]

Iam going to talk to the Jill the President of our communitygarden about planting a meadow garden.

[@janicelembo9093]

I have 200 ft of just grass lawn which leads to a pond on a golf course Do I have to dig up all the grass first or can i just throw out seeds and water?

[@nautilus2612]

Yes, wildflowers won't be able to grow through the thick turf

[@sushigilmour9336]

Where can I buy this seed?

[@capicuaaa]

Are the seeds organic and absolutely pesticide-free?

[@atefbasha1809]

PLEASE FOR ALL!!!! My Problem !PLEASE!!!My problem!PLEASE!THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@primitiveprudence9414]

There is a very tall field behind my house. It has no color and just wanted to add wildflowers to it. Is that going to be possible. I can't clear out what is already there. Suggestions?

[@matthewcollins4764]

You could try to do edible flowers too

[@atefbasha1809]

But !! I Love ALL!!

[@great-garden-watch]

I hope to wed whack my grass all the way down, spread brown paper, throw soil on top and then seed. Way too much to dig. Combine no dig with wilding!

[@ggwtv]

Hopefully that paper will hold up long enough to prevent those weeds from coming g through! 👍

[@christinarennich5092]

Lovely, but where are the native flowers? Biodiversity would benefit so much more with native plants.

[@frankposterello1628]

I love the idea but the planting method (just putting on the surface of the dirt) makes me think I'm just going to be buying fancy seed to feed the birds with. Is that not an issue?

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

I tried just throwing seed and yes the birds had a lovely feed of it all lol I'm going to try again and make sure I cover the seeds.

[@GoodJuju420]

Why was his shirt blurred?

[@Insure57]

I saw Dames Rocket in American Meadows mix I ordered a couple of years back - that's a big no no!

[@knotweedkninja8539]

Ugh, not Meadow Knapweed!!! Very invasive.

[@leonscott543]

Is this the Joe Pesi of flowers?

[@tonyshihoutang6576]

I doubt that those seeds won't carry away from that place by ants!? Or eaten by birds

[@ggwtv]

Some probably so. But not all.

[@CaponeCabin]

One problem is snakes. I would love a meadow.....but we have poisonous snakes which love meadows

[@nautilus2612]

You can always divide meadow areas and walking areas. For example you can mow paths and open spaces in the taller vegetation so that you don't risk to encounter a hidden snake, or you could organize the meadow like it's a flowerbed

[@joansmith3492]

hogwash garden prep. Does not get rid of bermuda, nutsedge, or bindweed.

[@thealternative9580]

Some people see this and all they think about is snakes and rats.

[@atefbasha1809]

All my a great to your Babies 🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🍎😆😆😅😄🕭

[@mbchudno]

Gardening Joe Pesci :) I was waiting for him to grab a pen all video.

[@scrubfire2033]

'Plant a wildflower seed mix'. Not the most helpful how to video...

[@ejohnson3131]

What do you want? Someone to come to your house and do it for you? They explained perfectly how to do it!

[@ejohnson3131]

scrubfire - 9:10

[@scrubfire2033]

@@ejohnson3131 Perfectly? That's a stretch. No mention of soil, no mention of maintenance, plant types, potential issues, guiding principles etc etc. Etc. Chucking seeds in the ground a meadow garden doth not create 😄

[@scrubfire2033]

@@ejohnson3131 haha ok fair enough lol. It needs sun, if there's nothing growing where you want to plant you might need a soil test, and you'll have to 'do some work' on your garden. This might be enough to motivate some people who think it's too hard to make a garden, but imo it's not a good how to video :)

[@ejohnson3131]

scrubfire - OMG do I really have to do all the work for you? Here's a quick five minute video that might help you. Now leave me alone! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iou6nZ-OnbV9mqs

[@TheOnlyReynoldsWrap]

You guys purposely planted non-native wildflowers (eg Bachelor's Buttons) in the meadow? If someone plants a non-native species in the middle of a suburb or city, the chances of escaping into the wild is small, which is fine. But you guys are planting non-natives in the country side, which is irresponsible.

[@InappropriateShorts]

They put a commercial right at the beginning. You get this comment but not my 25 minutes of viewing time

[@raekwon2609]

Americans 😔 it makes me sick

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Talk about a cheesy series. The constant background music is unnecessary. Reminds me of those mid morning wildlife shows they have on the networks with the overly enthusiastic corny hosts.

[@charliethatisfairy]

Always an amazing show. I loved the philosophy. I’ll be planting a meadow and understory for our orchard soon so it’s been great information.