Choose-your-color native meadow with a crisp hedged edge.
The Mix ‘N Match Meadow is a Michigan native meadow designed for single color impact. The two plant mix choices in this meadow are easy to grow, and will add color to your block while creating habitat and attracting birds and bees. This pollinator friendly design offers two color options: purple and yellow. The Mix ‘N Match Meadow is guaranteed to brighten any lot!
Ideal Location: Residential lot in full sun or part sun.
The Mix ‘N Match Meadow is a higher cost lot design that anticipates the use of volunteer labor. The majority of the cost of installing this design is from the potted plants and the seed mix. It is possible to install the lot design without access to a car. To save money, you can buy plants in smaller pot sizes or as plugs. The cost assumes that residents or volunteers have access to basic safety gear and garden tools.
The native perennials in this lot design have deep roots that help capture, hold and absorb stormwater, while providing habitat and seasonal color. This lot design will improve the infiltrating abilities of your lot.
The clean, hedge-lined borders of this meadow follow the setback of the houses on your block, approximately 10 feet from the sidewalk. The plant mix grows to a maximum height of three feet. This partially limits views from the street through to the alley.
Installing the Mix ‘N Match Meadow will make for a fun and rewarding weekend with your friends, family, or neighbors. The installation of this lot should not require professional assistance if you, with the help and support of others, would like to build this design. Please refer to the Step-By-Step section for guidance. If you are removing existing vegetation on your lot, we recommend holding one full weekend with the help of at least three to five healthy adults, or youth, for an easy time outdoors. The installation process does not require any special, mechanized equipment. The most strenuous physical tasks are removing any existing vegetation from your site, transporting your plants to your lot and scarifying, or raking, the meadow area prior to planting. Machines like a power rake might help, but for a single lot, you should be okay with rakes, some good music, and some refreshments. Always hire a professional if you are not up for the challenge, but remember, this will increase your costs. This is a relatively straightforward lot design and is appropriate for beginners curious to learn more.
Ten hands or less! With the help of friends, family or neighbors, this project could be completed in one weekend. The Field Guide assumes the lot is ‘construction ready,’ and all equipment and materials required for the lot design have been acquired and are ready to use.
A meadow requires care and maintenance to thrive. This lot design requires a medium level of maintenance to thrive. The Mix ‘N Match Meadow requires weeding, watering and mowing, particularly during the first two growing seasons while the meadow establishes itself. In the first year, cut your meadow back to four to six inches whenever it reaches above 10 inches in height. After the first year, continue weedingand mowing your meadow in late fall or early spring to keep the meadow at its best. It will take about three years for the meadow to establish. The hedge is low-maintenance; however, it will require water and weeding while it is getting established within the first two years. Once your hedge is established, it will shade out the majority of weeds. Your hedge can be pruned at any time to create the desired height. Add mulch annually to help suppress weed growth. Meadows are a work in progress. If you feel your meadow needs more color, it is okay to add additional native seed mixes and plants. Be creative and make it your own!
