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Three Plans for taking Lawns to Gardens

Inspiring ways to transform your lawn into a thriving garden space

Lawns to Gardens

Transform ordinary lawns into productive, environmentally beneficial landscapes.

Start by Prepping Your Planting Area

Option 1: Sheet Mulching (Recommended)

This is the easiest method and causes the least soil disturbance.

Materials

  • Burlap (cardboard can have some chemical byproducts)

  • Compost

  • Topsoil

  • Mulch

Steps

  1. Mow existing grass as short as possible.

  2. Water the area thoroughly.

  3. Cover the grass with overlapping cardboard or burlap.

  4. Wet the material thoroughly.

  5. Add 2–4 inches of compost or amended topsoil.

  6. Add mulch if desired.

  7. Plant directly into the new soil layer.

Benefits

  • Preserves soil biology

  • Reduces weed pressure

  • Retains moisture

  • Requires less labor

Option 2: Traditional Bed Preparation

Suitable when immediate planting depth is needed.

Steps

  1. Remove sod, grass & weeds.

  2. Loosen compacted soil.

  3. Perform a soil test if possible, see our free soil test guide.

  4. Add compost and necessary amendments, if help is needed email our support team.

  5. Rake smooth and prepare planting areas.

  6. Mulch after planting.

Benefits

  • Immediate access to native soil

  • Easier for some root crops

  • Allows correction of soil issues found through testing

Plan 1: Front Yard Pollinator Garden

Goal: Create a beautiful landscape that supports bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.

Recommended Size: 100–300 square feet

Planting Strategy

Tall Plants (Back)

  • Native sunflowers

  • Joe-Pye weed

  • Goldenrod

Medium Plants (Middle)

  • Coneflower

  • Black-eyed Susan

  • Bee balm

Low Plants (Front)

  • Coreopsis

  • Native asters

  • Creeping phlox

Benefits

  • Supports pollinators

  • Reduces lawn maintenance

  • Improves neighborhood appearance

  • Increases biodiversity

Plan 2: Side-Yard Herb Garden

Goal: Provide fresh culinary and medicinal herbs close to the home.

Recommended Size: 50–150 square feet

Plant List

  • Basil (tall)

  • Mint (tall need containment)

  • Rosemary (very tall)

  • Sage (tall)

  • Oregano

  • Thyme

  • Chives

Design Tips

  • Place the tallest herbs toward the back.

  • Allow pathways for harvesting.

  • Add mulch to reduce weeds.

  • Position near kitchen access if possible.

Benefits

  • Fresh herbs year-round in many climates

  • Supports pollinators

  • Reduces grocery costs

Notes: Ensure your planting area gets plenty of sunlight for these sun loving herbs!

Plan 3: Backyard Food Guild

Goal: Create a small self-supporting food-producing ecosystem.

Recommended Size: 10–20 foot diameter circle

Center Plant (Choose dwarf variety for small yards)

Choose one:

  • Apple tree

  • Pear tree

  • Peach tree

  • Mulberry tree (these grow fast and have many uses)

Supporting Plants

Nitrogen Support

  • Clover

  • Vetch

Pollinator Plants

  • Bee balm

  • Echinacea

Dynamic Accumulators

  • Comfrey

Ground Cover

  • Strawberries

  • Sweet potato (warm climates)

Mulch Ring

Wood chips (aged for at least 6 months) surrounding the entire guild.

Benefits

  • Produces food

  • Supports pollinators

  • Builds soil

The Earth Care Approach

Every lawn converted into a productive landscape creates new habitat, improves soil health, increases biodiversity, and reduces dependence on resource-intensive maintenance.

You don't need a farm to make a difference.

A pollinator garden, herb bed, or small food guild can transform an ordinary yard into a living system that benefits both people and the planet.

Need more help?

Use this form to get answers fast

Global Earth Care Network

Earth care support

email: connect@earthcarenetwork.org

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