The intensively groomed, single-species lawn is gradually being replaced by a more relaxed horticultural approach which, instead, encourages various plants to co-mingle with one another. In some instances, native grasses, wildflowers, native plants and groundcovers are the “new” substitutes for lawn.

In the U.S., nearly 46.5 million acres consist of lawn. Homeowners spend approximately 35 billion dollars annually on some sort of lawn care, according to the Lawn Institute. One fifth of all water consumption is used to water lawns.

Although, these figures are staggering, the continued rising sales in native grass and wildflower seed, and the increased participation in wildlife habitat programs indicate that the number of superfluous home lawns is declining. Even those who still love their lawns and enjoy caring for them are reducing the size by enlarging garden beds or by replacing lawns with wildflower meadows.

We’ve all seen those “meadow-in-a-can” mixtures of wildflower seeds. It can be very tempting to buy these mixtures, toss them into a trouble spot or well-planned area and hope for the best. Visions of a low-maintenance landscape come to mind. Just sow and grow, right? Well, not exactly.

Successfully recreating a meadow or wildflower garden takes a little homework and prep work. While meadows and wildflowers are wonderful, they are not necessarily for everybody. They do take time to prepare and maintain. Here are a few things to consider if you want a large meadow or just a small wildflower garden.

First of all, these types of gardens are combinations of plants, grasses, annuals, perennials, and yes, weeds. If you use a store-bought mixture, a meadow or wildflower garden will not have a cultivated look or feel about it. If this particular style is what you like, then you are in good shape. But if you want something that looks more natural and indigenous to our area, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty.

Before you ever stick a shovel into the ground, however, make sure you do your research. There are many types of meadows and natural fields full of wildflowers. While Texas bluebonnets are lovely, they are, after all, native to Texas, and a southwest variety would not be the appropriate choice for our area. For those of us in southwestern PA, we need to select plant varieties that are indigenous to our region in order to have the most effective meadow or wildflower garden. Seek out information on the Internet or consult with a horticulturist about choosing plants that are tailored to our part of the country. Not only will you have better success but the plants will be acclimated to our specific growing conditions. Additionally, you will be able to control the types of plants you’d prefer.

Good meadows and wildflower gardens will grow in stages. Typically, the mix of plants includes perennial, biennial, and annual species. The first year, annual plants predominate. The following year, the biennials, annuals, and a few perennials and grasses will be the dominant plants. In succeeding years, more perennials and grasses will start to take over.

While these gardens will have ample weeds, if the meadow garden is healthy and thriving, the intended plants will prevail. In attempting to duplicate nature, we have to be diligent in preparing the area for a meadow to ensure that weeds do not dominate the setting.

In the early spring or late summer to early fall for the upcoming year, remove - either mechanically or with an herbicide application - the existing lawn, weeds, and any other plants. It’s often beneficial to start with a clean slate. Don’t spade or cultivate the area, however. There are many weed seeds that lie dormant in the ground and will germinate when the ground is disturbed. I tend to lightly rake the area using only a leaf rake.

After this prep work has been accomplished it’s time to add the organic materials. Add compost from shredded leaves or peat moss (never use topsoil) creating a top layer of about six to eight inches.

Next, sow the area with your customized mixture from a reputable source or install plant seedlings, which can be expensive to do. I usually use a combination of 60% plants and 40% seeds. Scatter some straw if you’d like, and lightly spray it down with water.

What is planted will depend upon the conditions of the site. If it is a moist, sunny area, plants that thrive in bog conditions would be the ideal choice. Hot and dry conditions would be good for most native prairie species. Determining the soil structure, i.e., clay, sandy, or shale, is also an important consideration. Be sure to adjust your plant palate accordingly. The roots of the plants will go well below the initial amended soil and into the original soil as they begin establishing themselves.

Watering and weeding must be done faithfully to stimulate the desired plants. Once the plants have established - usually in the third or fourth year - the supplemental watering can be reduced by 75% or greater.

In succeeding years, weed as necessary and mow the meadow once a year in late winter as to allow the seeds of the flowers to drop naturally and re-seed the area. This helps to replenish the plants and continue the ecological cycle.

Wildflower gardens and meadows can be challenging to start, but will take less maintenance once they are fully established. By choosing plants that are native to our region and appropriate for our conditions, you can have a seasonal garden that will do exceedingly well. Not only will you be preserving our botanical heritage but you will also be providing wildlife habitat for our birds, bees, and butterflies. This type of gardening is very rewarding. It not only nourishes the environment but it also nourishes our souls.

Richard Liberto is a landscape designer specializing in regional landscapes and garden restoration. He can be reached at LibertoDesign@comcast.net