Overview
The Meanders is a multifaceted land project at our home in Southwestern Ohio to transform three acres of bumpy lawn into something more.
The Meanders begins, July 2025
The Plan
Our goals are to mow less, grow fruit and flowers, and make a beautiful place for birds, bees & humans to thrive.
On her own, Nature would transform this land if we simply stopped mowing. We know from agroforestry experts and our experience that this method, while simple, will include decades of invasive species overgrowth before a place of diversity and beauty would emerge.
Removing lawn without invasive overgrowth, repeated herbicide use, or heavy equipment is not so simple.
I designed a layout of tree islands connected by a winding path, the meanders. This path will be mowed regularly. At each island, we will attempt to remove the existing grasses without disturbing the seedbed by burning brush piles throughout the fall and winter of 2025-2026.
In the early spring of 2026, we will plant native and heirloom food-bearing trees in polycultures with pollinator species.
The Meanders will evolve over time. It may become a place to memorialize loved ones, a source of wild medicine, or a backdrop to art installations.
The Meanders Latest
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Meanders Phase 1: Plan & Prep
Planning The Meanders began with listening to the land through the summer of 2025. What direction does the wind blow? What birds, insects, and wildlife are around? Where does water pool? What does Nature want…