Testimonials...

Native Meadow Restoration

Lewis County, Tennesee

In 2007, I had the pleasure of working with a land developer who wanted to do something unique with 40 acres of open space that is part of the residential land development project called Highlands at Ladd. The project is located in Franklin, Tn on the east side of I-65. The goal was to stack functions in the open space instead of creating an energy sink of high maintenance, monoculture turf grass (aka fescue).

The meadow was seeded in June of 2007 using a mixture of local eco-type seed from Roundstone Native Seeds. I highly recommend Roundstone as a source for good native seed. The field had been used for farming until the previous year. Roundup was applied to eliminate the existing weeds that had started growing in the field. Seed was applied at about 8lbs per acre with a drill seeder.

The first year there was limited germination until fall when the rain came. The germination and successful growth of the native seeds during the terrible drought of 2007 is a testament of their ability to stay dormant until the proper conditions were present, and to utilize what little moisture and nutrients were available in the existing soil.

After two years the 40 acre meadow is thriving. It is fulfilling many functions: Increased land value, beautiful scenery, and recreation for the adjacent residents, water quality protection for the Harpeth river and wildlife habitat for numerous insects, birds, reptiles and mammals.

Installation and maintenance of the native grass and wildflowers has cost about one third of that spent on previous formal open space areas that were developed with turf grass and formal plantings.