Knowledgebase

Natural Landscaping #831425

Asked May 22, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT

How can a townhome association research, educate assn members, and implement a natural lawn and landscaping program? Our townhome association next to the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Board has asked a few townhome owners to investigate facts on wild landscaping, including cost, cost benefits and funding options. We would like to talk to somebody in Extension about this idea, how to get started and if there are other Associations in MN that have accomplished natural landscaping.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning Lani,

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

This sounds like a wonderful project! There are many resources available for you. 

I believe you are located in Hennepin County.  Here is a link from Hennepin County about protecting natural resources in your county: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/conservation/protecting-natural-resources#:~:text=Hennepin%20County%20is%20the%20soil,and%20monitoring%20of%20conversation%20easements. This includes actions, education, organizations and potential funding resources for you.  Based on the information listed, you may find someone to come to your HOA meeting to discuss options with you. 

Here is a link to the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website that inlcudes information about sustainable landscape design: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/landscape-design If you scroll down, there are videos that explain the considerations of sustainable landscape design. You could show these videos at a meeting or share them with the home owners. 

Here is another link to planting and maintaining a bee lawn: https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn

Here is another link to growing plants to help bees and other pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/flowers-pollinators

I am not aware of other Associations that have accomplished native landscaping. 

These resources should help you get started. Thanks for asking!

Maureen Graber Replied May 23, 2023, 7:59 AM EDT
Dear Maureen Graber,

It's been a year since you sent resource links to my initial request for assistance and information.  Since then, I have been appointed to serve on the association Board; our townhomes which border the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge.  Additionally, the association board has authorized a committee to investigate the development of a comprehensive plan for native plant landscaping.  The purposes of this plan is to sustain the environment, building out native plants and pollinators, and reducing water use. 

We have researched state and local grant and cost sharing programs, mapped our community estimating current landscaping maintenance and water use costs, and met with several local companies that specialize in native plant landscaping. 

We would like to meet with you for advice on how best to educate our full community about native plant landscaping, Hennepin County resources -- people and organizations -- that would be available to assist in a varied educational plan.  We have a few ideas based upon materials we have reviewed, but we would really appreciate a meeting with someone who can assess the value of our ideas and advise us on other activities.

If you would agree to meet and send several dates/times in June, we will accommodate your schedule.  (There are a couple of association members who would like to attend a meeting.)

Thanks so much in advance for your assistance.

Lani Kawamura
10727 Lyndale Bluffs Trail
Bloomington MN  55420
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On May 23, 2023, at 6:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2024, 11:20 AM EDT

Good Morning Lani, 

How exciting! I am thrilled to hear that you went forward with the material and developed a plan. Nature will thank you! 

I am an Extension Master Gardener in Scott County. Since your location is in Hennepin County, you should contact the Hennepin County Extension Master Gardeners: https://hennepinmastergardeners.org/

There are many Extension Master Gardeners in Hennepin County. Please contact them through their website and request a meeting with someone. If they do not respond, or provide a person, I would be happy to meet with you, or I could also tag along if you have a meeting with the Hennepin County person. 

As I stated before, I am not personally familiar with any HOA's that have installed native plantings, but It's an excellent idea. We need to change the narrative from sterile turf grass! Your location could be the beginning! 

I will also send you a link to one of my favorite sites: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjeuyBhBuEiwAJ3vuoeTpRqJ2maqR0c6GDl0pTRTuINTTVHTxfnbcxSiUSASSYe6IdqL5ABoC4tYQAvD_BwE It's Homegrown National Parks. They advocate for native plantings to help nature survive. 

I will also include my personal contact information if you need to reach me directly. 

<personal data hidden><personal data hidden>. 

Great Job!

Maureen Graber Replied June 01, 2024, 9:17 AM EDT

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