06/02/2026
Small can be mighty. This HOA townhouse front yard went from drab to fab! The original landscaping: struggling boxwoods, a tree planted in a bad spot, and various pots amid a sea of mulch. The new homeowners connected with me after they'd torn everything out - but then weren't sure what to do next. They knew they wanted to help the environment. They have 3 grandkids and wanted the space to be a place were the children could see nature up close.
Through multiple conversations I got to know these wonderful people: their needs, what kind of natural spaces they enjoyed, and the amount of time they wanted to put into the garden. I also listened to the site: how the mature oak trees echoed woodland (however faintly). How bad gutters, landscape fabric, and compaction had led to huge puddles in the yard and on the sidewalk every time it rained. One sad tulip that barely emerged and never bloomed.
The first step was fixing the stormater issue by restoring the foundation's grade, ripping out the horrible landscape fabric probably installed in the 90s, and aerating the soil. The homeowners replaced the gutters, and I had the downspout rerouted to a fountain base, with the overflow going into a dry river. This passively waters the plants and allows the water to soak into the soil instead of pouring out onto the sidewalk. Puddles begone!
For plants I used those often found in SE woodlands, with different blooming seasons and flower shapes. Different pollinators co-evolved their tongue shapes for different flower shapes (!), so it's important to have a mix of plants. Lots of carex for a calming feeling, design cohesion, and winter interest. Each plant's roots was dusted with micorrhizal fungi to help build connections in the depleted soil. The clients put all the plants in themselves after some training from me. They did great.
One year in and the result has been transformational. The plants are SO HAPPY. Neighbors comment on the beauty of the garden as they walk by. And the pollinators! Where before there was no habitat, now there are little perfect circles in the wild strawberry leaves where the leafcutter bees have been harvesting material for their nests. I've seen multiple species of native bees, flies, and beetles. Bluebirds swoop in to eat insects. Skinks drink from the fountain. A small ant colony moved into the lower yard - they will help a lot with soil health. The grandbabies eat the wild strawberries - the sweetest berries I know.
Don't let anyone tell you there's not much you can do in a small space, or that "the HOA will never allow that". Make some beauty. Help the environment in your own, small way. It's not small to pollinators.
