lawn alternatives in MN

[jrz]

My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of lawn.
My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a country
club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower maintenence
environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would be
involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be needed
when it's up and running.

Much of the land was woods before being developed, but I'm guessing planting
a lot of trees would be very expensive. Would be interested in that option
if it were economical, maybe it would be?

This is a cabin near Alexandria, Minnesota. If anyone has done something
similar I'd be glad to hear how it went. Thanks for any insight.

[David J Bockman]

Less expensive than you might think, although the 'transition years' between
manicured lawn and woodland might be a little unsightly. You could plant
seedling pioneer species like Siberian Elm or Silver Maple and over time
shade out the lawn.

Dave

"jrz" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of lawn.
> My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a country
> club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower maintenence
> environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
> prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would
be
> involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be
needed
> when it's up and running.
>
> Much of the land was woods before being developed, but I'm guessing
planting
> a lot of trees would be very expensive. Would be interested in that option
> if it were economical, maybe it would be?
>
> This is a cabin near Alexandria, Minnesota. If anyone has done something
> similar I'd be glad to hear how it went. Thanks for any insight.
>
>

[Tsu Dho Nimh]

"jrz" > wrote:

>My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of lawn.
>My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a country
>club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower maintenence
>environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
>prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would be
>involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be needed
>when it's up and running.

Buffalo grass?

Somewhat labor intensive at first, but after the forst couple of
years it should requite only a couple of sessions of
maintenance.

>Much of the land was woods before being developed, but I'm guessing planting
>a lot of trees would be very expensive. Would be interested in that option
>if it were economical, maybe it would be?

Consider the fire hazard too. But check with the state - they
might have a seedling tree program for people who want to plant
lots of natives.


Tsu

--
To doubt everything or to believe everything
are two equally convenient solutions; both
dispense with the necessity of reflection.
- Jules Henri Poincaré

[gregpresley]

I have seen specials on TV on creating (or recreating as the case may be) a
tall-grass prairie ecosystem, which is probably the original ecosystem of
your grandparent's place. I think the idea is that you might overseed what
is currently the lawn with some of the native species, and then do a
controlled (very controlled) burn every year or every other year. Many of
the wild-flowers and grasses require the heat of fire to either pop seeds
open or to make them germinate. There are many lovely flowers native to the
tall grass prairies, and the grasses themselves are beautiful to look at, I
think. As I recall, the guy walked around with one of those propane torches,
with someone not far behind with a hose or a bucket. Of course, it depends
on how close your neighbors are, and what the rules are in your area. The
great thing is, no watering, no mowing, and only the yearly burn after the
thing gets established.
The special I particularly remember was filmed in Wisconsin, so probably
not terribly different in soil type and species from what you have in
Minnesota. I think it may have been on an episode of Victory Garden, but I'm
not sure.
Maybe using a google search with keywords tall-grass prairie might give
you some links on species, cost, and maintenaince.
"Tsu Dho Nimh" > wrote in message
...
> "jrz" > wrote:
>
> >My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of
lawn.
> >My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a
country
> >club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower
maintenence
> >environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
> >prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would
be
> >involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be
needed
> >when it's up and running.

[patg]

"jrz" > wrote in
:


>
> This is a cabin near Alexandria, Minnesota. If anyone has done
> something similar I'd be glad to hear how it went. Thanks for any
> insight.
>
>

ok try here
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/prairierestoration/index.html
and if that doesn't work email the mn dnr from their home
page.

I'm not sure but you also might find something at
http://www.northerngardening.com/
try searching under prairie restoration or lawns.

I've help them collect seed and their are some really good
people working at the dnr in conjunction with U of MN.

Good Luck
patg
www.patswoodshop.com
(Sorry if this is posted twice...having connection problems.)

[Tom Jaszewski]

On Mon, 2 Jun 2003 17:45:05 -0500, "jrz" >
wrote:

>
>My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of lawn.
>My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a country
>club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower maintenence
>environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
>prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would be
>involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be needed
>when it's up and running.
>
>Much of the land was woods before being developed, but I'm guessing planting
>a lot of trees would be very expensive. Would be interested in that option
>if it were economical, maybe it would be?
>
>This is a cabin near Alexandria, Minnesota. If anyone has done something
>similar I'd be glad to hear how it went. Thanks for any insight.
>


gosh you've got snow most of the year.....although not the alternative
I prefer.....:>)



"Nature, left alone, is in perfect balance.
Harmful insects and plant diseases are always present,
but do not occur in nature to an extent which requires the use of poisonous chemicals.
The sensible approach to disease and insect control is to grow sturdy crops in a healthy environment."

Masanobu Fukuoka, One Straw Revolution--1978

[Shelly]

I've been slowly replacing my lawn with native plants here in central
Wisconsin... it is a bit of work for the first few years, but gets easier as
the prairie is established. I found this site to be very helpful, and their
seed prices do not seem out of line with other native plant nurseries I have
seen. I haven't ever ordered from them, though, so couldn't really tell you
what their service is like:
http://www.prairienursery.com/

From what I have been told, you really want to go for the highest
forb-to-grass ratio you can afford (forb seed is more expensive than grass),
because the grass tends to have an easier time establishing itself, and can
take over if you aren't careful. I have found that this approach worked well
for me. I also used quite a few plants; needed the instant gratification,
personally.

I haven't done a burn yet (plan to next year, since I didn't manage to get
around to applying for a burn permit this year), but understand that mowing
once a year works in areas that are too close to houses to burn

Good luck!
Shelly

"jrz" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> My family and I have taken control of our cabin with a large area of lawn.
> My grandparents used it as their summer home and kept it up like a country
> club. We're looking at economical options for creating a lower maintenence
> environment. I've been reading up on using natural plants and creating a
> prairie landscape, but I don't get a feel for how much work or $$$ would
be
> involved to get it started, and how much ongoing maintenence would be
needed
> when it's up and running.
>
> Much of the land was woods before being developed, but I'm guessing
planting
> a lot of trees would be very expensive. Would be interested in that option
> if it were economical, maybe it would be?
>
> This is a cabin near Alexandria, Minnesota. If anyone has done something
> similar I'd be glad to hear how it went. Thanks for any insight.
>
>