Events

My Garden: If I found myself amongst those who wouldn’t understand “mostly native, wild, crowded, and full of bugs and critters” as a good thing, I would, instead, describe my garden diplomatically as “eclectic cottage-style.” 

Where: quarter-acre lot—all garden, no lawn—in the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood .

What: predominantly-native gardens, a few 7-11 year-old mixed beds, but mostly new ‘lawn-replacement’ native gardens started in stages four years ago, the newest (last available space) just filled with 140 plugs in mid-May. 

Features for:

Neighbors: front gardens use fieldstone and steel edging, flagstone paths to look neater; a few decorative accents for utility/whimsy;

Wildlife: small log and brush piles; dry-stack stone walls; small, 33-gallon pond; compost piles; lots of messy areas;

Gardeners: organic/non-chemical upkeep; aiming towards 4-season interest; ca. 70/30 native/non-native mix: shade to sun with native stalwarts amongst very diverse beds with some odd, uncommon specimens, and useful non-natives &/or interesting volunteers in containers or left alone in beds (e.g., culinary herbs, house plants, hummingbird & pollinator-nectoring pots);

Challenges: young beds, very dynamic (i.e., kinda chaotic!); seeds/plugs/small plants leave space, soils all recently disturbed, and all edges as yet unaddressed, so ever ongoing battles with encroaching invasives and good-but-bully natives (i.e., weedy mess!); old features need reinvention (e.g., shaded out raised-caged veg beds, tree roots rendered compost unturnable, grotto area too sunny, hydrangea bed too dry—i.e., some ideas were far better on paper!); etc.

Registration is required using the link below.

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

In addition to the more formal gardens in the front yard, Donnie has converted the entire back yard into a native plant wonderland installed on a terraced slope.

This event will have two parts.  There will be a garden tour from 10 AM - Noon followed by a pot-luck lunch from Noon - 2 PM.  You can register for either or both events at the registration link below.

A few native plants will be available to share. Feel free to bring a few of your own if you wish.

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Board Meeting.

Our speaker for this meeting will be Claire Wainwright who is a Recovery Botanist in the Natural Heritage Program within the Division of Natural Areas. Claire received a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Queensland in Australia.  Claire's research has focused on community assemble, native-invasive species interactions, and restoration ecology. Details about her presentation will be available soon here.

We will continue with our Freebie/Swap Table, so please any native plants, seeds, related books and trinkets that you would like to re-home.

Everyone is welcome!

Details coming soon.

Walking Tour of The Farm Community's Prairie Barrens Preserve

restrooms, snacks/drinks available)

This is a joint hike with the Swan Conservation Trust and features the largest prairie remnant in Middle Tennessee. Native warm-season grasses and wildflowers showcase this historical grassland's summertime beauty! Richard Hitt, President of Wild Ones Middle Tennessee chapter and Cynthia Rohrbach, Biologist at Swan Conservation Trust, will be the hike leaders. This hike is easy.

Restrooms, drinks and snacks are available at The Farm Store.

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

Board Meeting.

More details soon. 

Everyone is welcome!

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

Details coming soon! 

Board Meeting.

More details soon. 

Everyone is welcome!

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

Details coming soon! 

Board Meeting.

More details soon. 

Everyone is welcome!

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

Details coming soon! 

Board Meeting.

More details soon. 

Everyone is welcome!

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

Board Meeting.