Book Give-Away: Beautiful No-Mow Yards, by Evelyn J. Hadden

Beautiful No - Mow Yards : 50 Amazing Lawn Alternatives , by Evelyn J. Hadden ( Timber Press ) has it all : A compelling principle for disregard the siren birdsong of the “ perfect ” lawn , inspirational storiesfrom gardener and interior decorator enthusiastically embracing this timely trend , and tone - by - step instruction for creating easy - charge , satellite - friendly patches of paradise . That ’s why we ’re dedicate a copy away . The back cover of this attractively photographed , idea - packed book provocatively asks , “ What has your lawn done for you lately ? Is it really worth the time , effort , and imagination you shower on it ? ”

I ’ll give you a minute . close up your eyes ( unless you ’re tug while reading on your fresh earphone ) andponder these questionsthat many otherwise reasonable gardener overlook . Though Hadden is n’t a zero - tolerance , anti - lawn drumbeater ( she makes the case that as a recreational surface , sensitive “ smarter lawns ” are the still good option of garden floors ) , it ’s hard to study this book and not need to run out of doors and Kevorkianize that patch of putting surface that sucks the life out of precious weekends and strains checkbooks .

Evelyn is a passionate gardener with a hard connection to the natural environs . In party favour of the often chemically - treat , paralyzinglyboring monoculturethat is turfgrass , she remind us of the effervescent diverseness of a mixed meadow . She lure us to see the subtle stunner of a live carpet of ground covers , the utility of weewee - sublimate rainwater gardens , and the family fun that comes from a quad where child can play and explore .

In part one , Design Inspiration : The Many Possibilities , Evelyn taps into her hands - on experience working on her own 5 - acre mountain on the outskirt of the Minneapolis - St. Paul domain . She ’s been using this living research laboratory to refine her ideas for creating a naturalistic landscape , and doing it with achemical - loose approach . She also includes the experiences and words of dozens of gardener and designers from every grow zone , tender examples of no - mow solutions for every situation . ( I ’m honored to have one of my favorites designs included in the Xeric Gardens discussion section . ) Among the ten other approaches are sections titledliving carpets , shade gardens , rainwater gardens , gambol arena , edible gardens , and for those not uncoerced to completely sever their sward attachment , smart lawns .

It ’s one matter to volunteer impassioned news of inspiration , and quite another to get down to the contaminating , person - satisfying work of bringing the imaginativeness to reality . Part two , How to Get There , put up ways to convince an existing lawn into a no - haymow garden usingeco - friendly methods . And since these types of cubic yard might be a new conception for folk who ’s gardening experience is limited to breathing lawn mower exhaust , there ’s mountain of advice for getting started . Hadden is no Pollyanna , and face head - on some of the initial bumps ( or clods ) on the path to a lawnless garden . The key is what the generator calls “ partnering with nature . ”

“ The most successful no - hayloft yards work like a natural system , made up of not just plant life that are native to the area , but based on the environmental science of the situation , ” Hadden says . “ I compound plants that would of course associate with each other . By understanding how plant life grow on their own , it increases the chance they ’ll flourish without a lot of fuss . ”

Part three offers an encyclopaedia of flora alternative grouped by growth habit : mounding , mat - forming , fill - in , and minglers . Each plant ’s listing include the recommended zone , place of descent , outgrowth habits and character , behavior , and preferred soil and lighting .

I have n’t mentioned the luscious photography that adorns every twist of the pageboy , many by superstar garden photographerSaxon Holt . These images provide design inspiration as well as internal details of scores of beautiful plants .

I ’m especially grateful that Evelyn write this rule book , not me . Rather than araging rantabout the evils of these pernicious Blades of the Devil ( I ’m beware my manners in type there are children present ) , the author approaches her topic with eloquence and tolerance for those who are n’t yet prepare togo cold turkey . She ’s a skilled writer , weave her natural storytelling ability with fact - filled , practical gardening selective information . This ledger will benefit any gardener quick to step into a new adventure .

you’re able to larn more about Evelyn Hadden ’s work and regain out how to schedule a talk , at her website , LessLawn.com .

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