Transforming our yard

When we moved to our current location, we saw tremendous potential in the large yard that surrounded the building! Over time, and thanks in part to a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant, we were able to transform every single part of the yard through naturescaping and the addition of rain gardens. Take a look through this gallery to see how the yard has changed from a dandelion-filled field to the demonstration yard it is today!

: A single green light, a grassy field, and the future site of EMSWCD!

: All trees on the property were kept, and are here to this day.

: Grass, weeds and some river rocks are all that there was for landscaping on the south side.

: Another photo of the south side… grass and an old sidewalk.

: Some landscaping features including a rain garden are mapped out on the south side.

: All the grass is removed from the field, and a rain garden’s contours are marked.

: Chris is working on the front steps!

: The landscaping begins in earnest: digging out a rain garden.

: More rain garden digging.

: Paths are laid out with landscape fabric and gravel. Note that the original trees on the property were kept.

: Gravel is added on top of the landscape fabric.

: The rain gardens are coming together! A log spans the main one in this picture.

: Meanwhile, on the south side, downspout drainage is set up for the rain garden.

: Mulch and stones are added; now it just needs some plants.

: The first plants are placed on the north side.

: Later that day! Just kidding… this photo comes from a couple years later, as the natives have begun to establish themselves.

: The native plants begin to establish themselves all around the yard.

: The yard from the north side’s sidewalk.

: A more recent photo; the plants are really beginning to fill in!

: Same day, showing the recycled concrete bench, path and trees.

: Back on the south side, the native plants are really filling in around the rain garden.

: On the southeast, the naturescaped yard is also taking shape.

: Along Williams Ave. by the front steps, it’s looking a lot more colorful!

: A ground-level shot of one of the north yard rain gardens and path.

: The bike shelter seen behind the yard features two living walls and an experimental type of green roof.

: This is a much more recent shot, showing the naturescaped yard’s full transformation!