My native pollinator garden transformed my yard – it used to be a mess of clay & weeds, I added my parents’ old plants
A GREEN thumb has totally transformed their yard and spruced up their outdoor space.
He made a native pollinator garden out of what was once a mess of clay and weeds.
Redditor Samdjr posted the improved yard on the social media platform.
He said he was looking to share his backyard transformation with others.
“When we moved in three years ago, we realized it was a mess of clay soil and weeds,” he said.
“We excavated one-and-a-half feet of clay and replaced with good soil and went from there.
“Going for a local native pollinator garden.
“Now we get all kinds of bees and birds and butterflies and it is still a work in progress but I am so happy with how everything is going.”
WEED IT OUT
The gardening enthusiast gave some more insight into how he got the job done.
“Also, my fave part is I got to replant some of my parents’ plants from their 26-year-old garden after they relocated to the other side of the country last year,” he said.
“They planted a Japanese maple when my grandma passed away and that had to stay in the family.
“She is doing wonderfully.”
He added that he was by no means seasoned in home transformations, having lived in apartments mostly.
CROWD REACTION
Several Redditors weighed in on the backyard home glow up.
“This looks incredible,” one wrote.
“I’m doing the same in my back yard, which was a gravel pit when I purchased.
“It’s taken so much time, but this is so inspiring. Great job.”
“Stunning. This is so much nicer than a patch of grass,” another added.
“It’s a little sad that you got rid of the vegetable beds, but if you’d rather grow native, I totally get that — and veggies can be a hassle.”
“The veggie beds were a temporary thing until I figured out how the yard would act,” the original poster replied.
“I loved growing veggies but all the squirrels and outdoor cats in the neighborhood were a total pain in the butt.
“They were basically a litter box. Now I just grow herbs in planters on the patio deck and hit up farmers markets lol.”
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
*If you click on a link in this article, we may earn affiliate revenue.
- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon’s Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa’s Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.