Those with farm properties reap the benefits of wide open spaces; large fields give way to wildflowers and invite animals to graze, making the area feel instantly idyllic. While not all of us can call a farm home, if you have plenty of front yard space, we believe that you can make your land feel like a meadow.
Case in point: Christie Brinkley recently rewilded her front yard, which she showed off on her Instagram page. According to her caption, there are countless benefits to the rewilding process.
'Since rewilding my property, I call my front yard my meadow!' she states in the caption. 'I’ve watched as Baby Bambis took their first wobbly steps here, and with so much to nibble on in the meadow they seemed to leave my vegetable and flower garden alone. Plus I used less water and cut my mowing cost in half (I still mow a little walking path.) Another bonus is the only leaves I sweep away, are on my terrace, the rest are left where they fall, providing shelter for beneficial insects that are becoming endangered. And naturally everything is organic. No chemicals are used to kill weeds. Instead I pick weed flower bouquets and eat the dandelions!'
According to experts, rewilding is an increasingly popular practice, with many homeowners looking for a more pastoral appearance in their yards.
'In recent years, many gardeners have turned away from manicured, pristine plots in favor of a more natural approach to their backyards,' says Gardens content editor at Homes & Gardens, Thom Rutter. 'Wild gardening has many benefits, not least welcoming wildlife into your yard.'
He continues, 'As Christie Brinkley reveals, by nurturing wild patches of grass and meadow-like planting, dragonflies, butterflies, and birds will flock to your yard, in search of food and shelter.'
As we can see in Brinkley's photo, she has a large plot of land, which clearly requires some maintenance. It is important to be mindful of the upkeep that wild gardens entail, but Rutter says that implementing them on a smaller scale is a great way to begin, giving us some wildflower garden ideas.
'If you are new to the world of wild gardening, it can seem daunting,' he says. 'My advice: start small! Why not leave one small section of lawn to grow, creating a small meadow? In this area, you can scatter wildflower seeds and enjoy the hum and buzz of pollinator activity in the summer. Flowers like cornflowers, poppies, and yellow rattle are all easy to grow and are known to be a hit with wildlife.'
Below, we have rounded up some wild garden essentials. Happy shopping!
This eclectic seed mix includes a wide assortment of 16 perennial species like Siberian Wallflower, Lance-leaved Coreopsis, Blue Flax, Purple Coneflower, and Lupine – perfect for rewilding your yard.
This flat-back rain barrel comes with a stand and is manufactured from 100% recycled polyethylene, making it extra durable. It's a sustainable method to collect water for the wildlife growing in your garden.
Containing 500 seeds, these packets are perfect for abundant gardens, with results in just days – so you can get the Brinkley look even sooner.
