Skip to content

Why and How You Should Build a Meadow

Meadows are symphonic, dynamic, mysterious, and ever-changing. They host dragon flies, song birds, pollinating bees, butterflies; color, depth, shadow, movement, and sound. There is always something happening in a meadow; a good walk to be had, a good story about to unfold.

Meadows have their downsides too. They can be shaggy during certain times of the year. Along with the pleasant forms of wildlife, there can be unpleasant ones too. They require someone with expertise to install them correctly and get them on an effective maintenance regime. But the best things always come with their perils.  

This is a story in pictures about planting a 14,000 pollinator meadow installed on a disturbed site in late fall. The sequence of events might be different on a different site. In the course of 1 growing season this meadow grew to be 75% established. Even at 8 months old (4 of those being dormant months), it was hosting 5 different species of bees plus many other beautiful insects.

The species were selected and landscape plugs were ordered from North Creek Nursery.
The species were selected and landscape plugs were ordered from North Creek Nursery.
The area, already disturbed from construction, was de-compacted and topsoil was spread.
The area, already disturbed from construction, was de-compacted and topsoil was spread.
Sweet peet mulch was spread.
Sweet peet mulch was spread.
The plugs arrived.
The plugs arrived.
The planting plan was sprayed out on the ground and the trays delivered to their locations.
The planting plan was sprayed out on the ground and the trays delivered to their locations.
The plugs were distributed to their proper spacing and then planted.
The plugs were distributed to their proper spacing and then planted.
Once finished, we didn't need to water because we got plenty of rain that October.
Once finished, we didn't need to water because we got plenty of rain that October.
In April it looked like this. We decided to over-seed with a native grass to knit the composition together visually and to fill in some gaps that we had in the plug planting.
In April it looked like this. We decided to over-seed with a native grass to knit the composition together visually and to fill in some gaps that we had in the plug planting.
In May, it looked better and the grass seed germinated.
In May, it looked better and the grass seed germinated.
In late May, the Penstemon digitalis bloomed. Not bad for 5 months old (actually only 4 weeks of active growing).
In late May, the Penstemon digitalis bloomed. Not bad for 5 months old (actually only 4 weeks of active growing).
By June, the rest of the plants were catching up. About 8 weeks of active growing.
By June, the rest of the plants were catching up. About 8 weeks of active growing.
Then in July there was a burst of bloom (happy 9 month b-day and only 12 weeks of active growing)!
Then in July there was a burst of bloom (happy 9 month b-day and only 12 weeks of active growing)!
And August was even better. There were so many bees and butterflies.
And August was even better. There were so many bees and butterflies.

Most people say it takes 3 years to get a meadow going, but with the right conditions and the right technique, it can be much faster. After next growing season I expect this meadow to be fully established, and need very little to no weeding. We will mow a meandering path through it so the owners can stroll along, and take it in from up close every once in a while.