Understanding the Difference Between Self Care and Complete Care Prairie Packages

When you partner with Prairie in Progress to transform your lawn into a sustainable prairie paradise, you have two distinct service tiers to choose from: Self Care and Complete Care. Both options are designed to fit different levels of involvement, time commitment, and budget preferences. Let’s break down the key differences to help you decide which tier best suits your needs.

Self Care: Take the Reins

For clients who enjoy getting their hands dirty and want to be actively involved in the process, the Self Care tier offers a perfect balance of support and independence. Here’s what you can expect:

• What We Provide:

  • Initial site preparation, including soil enrichment and seeding.

  • A custom seed mix tailored to your property’s conditions.

  • Comprehensive educational materials, including detailed guides, instructional videos, and a resource list.

• What You Handle:

  • All maintenance activities for the first and second years, such as weeding, watering, and seasonal mowing.

  • Monitoring plant growth and addressing any issues like invasive species or pests.

• Who It’s For:

  • DIY enthusiasts who want to be hands-on.

  • Clients with the time and willingness to manage the prairie’s early growth stages.

• Benefits:

  • Lower cost compared to Full Care.

  • Greater personal involvement and sense of accomplishment.

COMPLETE Care: Sit Back and Enjoy

For those who prefer a hands-off approach, the Complete Care tier offers a comprehensive solution, taking care of every aspect of your prairie transformation and maintenance. Here’s what’s included:

• What We Provide:

  • Initial site preparation, including soil enrichment and seeding.

  • All maintenance for the first and second years, including weeding, watering, growth tracking, and seasonal mowing.

  • Regular updates and progress reports to keep you informed without requiring your active involvement.

• Who It’s For:

  • Clients with limited time or interest in handling maintenance themselves.

  • Those who want the reassurance of professional care for the best possible results.

• Benefits:

  • Hassle-free experience with all work handled by our team.

  • Consistent, high-quality maintenance to ensure your prairie thrives.

Which Option is Right for You?

• If you’re excited about learning the ins and outs of native landscaping and have the time to devote to maintenance, Self Care could be a rewarding choice.

• If you’d rather focus on enjoying the beauty of your prairie without worrying about the upkeep, Complete Care is the stress-free solution.

Both tiers provide a pathway to creating a vibrant, sustainable landscape that benefits pollinators, reduces maintenance, and enhances the natural beauty of your outdoor space. No matter which you choose, Prairie in Progress is here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your project and select the service tier that’s right for you!

Embracing Native Beauty: The Lupine Wildflower and the Future of Lawns

At Prairie in Progress, we're passionate about transforming traditional lawns into vibrant, sustainable landscapes filled with native plants. One such native beauty that stands out is the Lupine wildflower. With its striking visual appeal and numerous environmental benefits, Lupine is a perfect example of why shifting from Kentucky Bluegrass to native flowers is a smart and beautiful choice.

The Visual Splendor of Lupine

Lupine (Lupinus spp.) is a stunning wildflower known for its tall, spiky blooms that come in a variety of colors, including purple, blue, pink, and white. These flowers create a visually captivating display that changes with the seasons, offering a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape. The intricate, palmate leaves add an extra layer of texture and interest, making Lupine a standout in any garden.

Ecological Benefits of Lupine

1. Pollinator Support: Lupine flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By planting Lupine, you are providing essential food sources for these important species, helping to support local ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. Soil Health: Lupine is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means it helps improve soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This natural process reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting healthier soil and a more sustainable garden.

3. Erosion Control: The deep root systems of Lupine help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. This makes it an excellent choice for areas prone to soil loss, such as slopes and hillsides.

4. Low Maintenance: Once established, native wildflowers like Lupine require less water, fewer pesticides, and minimal upkeep compared to traditional lawns. This translates to lower maintenance costs and a reduced environmental footprint.

The Case Against Kentucky Bluegrass

While Kentucky Bluegrass is a popular choice for lawns, it comes with significant drawbacks:

1. High Water Usage: Kentucky Bluegrass requires frequent watering to stay green, especially during hot summer months. This can lead to excessive water use and strain on local water resources.

2. Chemical Dependence: Maintaining a lush Kentucky Bluegrass lawn often involves the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. These chemicals can harm the environment, pollute waterways, and pose health risks to humans and wildlife.

3. Biodiversity Loss: A monoculture lawn of Kentucky Bluegrass offers little habitat or food for pollinators and other wildlife. In contrast, a diverse array of native plants supports a richer, more resilient ecosystem.

Transforming Your Lawn with Prairie in Progress

By choosing to replace traditional lawns with native flowers like Lupine, you're not only enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor space but also making a positive impact on the environment. At Prairie in Progress, we specialize in creating sustainable landscapes that thrive with minimal intervention, providing beauty and ecological benefits year-round.

Join us in reimagining what a lawn can be. Embrace the future of landscaping with native plants and transform your yard into a vibrant, thriving ecosystem.

Transforming Your Lawn: A Step-by-Step Guide to Our Consultation Process

Introduction

At Prairie In Progress, we specialize in converting traditional lawns into vibrant ecosystems filled with native grasses and wildflowers. Each transformation begins with a detailed consultation to ensure that your new lawn not only looks beautiful but also thrives in its environment. Here's a look at our comprehensive seven-step consultation process:

1. Client Introduction and Discussion

Our consultation kicks off with a personal introduction where we dive into your vision and objectives for the transformation. Do you have specific plants or styles in mind? Are there functional aspects you wish to incorporate, such as areas for relaxation or play? Understanding your preferences is crucial to tailoring our approach.

2. Site Analysis

Next, we assess your yard in detail. This involves measuring the overall dimensions and noting any gradients or slopes. We analyze the soil type and compaction and observe the areas that receive full sun versus those in shade. Drainage patterns are carefully mapped, especially post-rainfall, to plan effectively for your new landscape.

3. Existing Landscaping

We discuss what you like and dislike about your current landscaping. This includes evaluating any existing plants you wish to keep and identifying potential hardscaping elements that could enhance your space.

4. Discussion of Seed Mixes

Based on the site analysis and your personal style, we present various seed mix options. Each mix is chosen for its suitability to your yard's conditions and your aesthetic preferences. We also share visuals of mature plants from each mix, helping you visualize the future of your transformed lawn.

5. Maintenance and Care

Understanding the maintenance requirements is vital. We discuss the care each seed mix needs, emphasizing how native plants can significantly reduce maintenance efforts while supporting local biodiversity.

6. Budget and Timeline

We then outline the budget and discuss a rough timeline for your project, from soil preparation to the final planting. This ensures that everything aligns with your expectations and financial plans.

7. Next Steps

Finally, we prepare a tailored design and quote. Once reviewed and finalized, we sign the agreement and schedule the project phases.

Conclusion

Transforming your lawn is a journey that redefines your relationship with nature. At Prairie In Progress, we are excited to guide you through every step of this transformation, ensuring a seamless transition to a more sustainable and beautiful landscape.

Embracing Nature’s Palette: The Beauty of Native Landscapes Over Traditional Lawns

Unearthing Our Landscape Roots: Did you know that our love for the classic lawn might stem from ancient instincts? John Falk's fascinating research dives into how our ancestors' savanna habitats shape our modern landscape preferences. It's a striking realization: our penchant for short grass and dotted trees isn't just a trend; it's a nod to our evolutionary past.

The Rising Star - Native Landscapes: But here’s the exciting part – as our environmental consciousness blooms, so does our love for native landscapes. It's not just about green; it's a burst of colors, textures, and life! These indigenous beauties do more than catch the eye; they echo the soul of our community, potentially boosting both neighborhood charm and property values. Talk about a win-win!

Smart Design - The Key to Acceptance: Enter Joan Nassauer of the University of Michigan, who brings a fresh perspective with 'cultural sustainability.' It's all about blending ecological benefits with designs that resonate with people. Think crisp edges, clear demarcations, and a harmonious mix of native plants and manicured spaces. Larger native areas? They actually charm us more! And when wildlife flutters in, the appeal skyrockets.

A New Definition of Lawn Beauty: Let's rethink what a beautiful yard looks like. Traditional lawns are like comfort food – familiar, simple. But native landscapes? They're a feast for the senses, changing with the seasons, inviting us to see our yards as thriving ecosystems. This is beauty with depth, a celebration of diversity, and an embrace of change.

Wrapping Up - More Than Just Good Looks: As we step towards more sustainable lifestyles, our idea of a picturesque yard is evolving. Native landscaping doesn't just blend with nature; it enhances it, offering a unique, dynamic beauty. Choosing native over traditional isn't just a style statement; it's a commitment to biodiversity and a sustainable future. Let's make our yards a testament to this beautiful planet we call home!

The Green Truth: Environmental Impact of Native Landscaping Vs. Turf Grass

The debate between native landscaping and traditional turf grass often revolves around aesthetics or economics, but what about the environment? The environmental cost of maintaining a typical turf grass lawn, especially Kentucky Bluegrass, is more concerning than many realize.

Air Quality and Lawn Maintenance - A Surprising Culprit: Did you know that mowing your lawn for just one hour emits pollutants equivalent to a car traveling 350 miles? This startling fact from California’s Air Resources Board puts into perspective the environmental impact of lawn care. In Nebraska, where the mowing season stretches from mid-April to November, a single gas-powered lawn mower can emit pollutants akin to a 9,800-mile car journey in a season. Native landscaping, on the other hand, requires mowing just once a year, significantly reducing air pollution.

But it's not just about exhaust emissions. Lawn mowers, weed whackers, and other maintenance tools contribute about five percent of the U.S.'s air pollution. The fuel spillage from these machines, although seemingly minor, adds up to an estimated 17 million gallons of spilled gasoline annually – a significant source of atmospheric pollutants.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Problem: While native plants thrive without artificial help, non-native turf lawns are a different story. The average American lawn receives multiple treatments of fertilizers and pesticides yearly, with over 70 million pounds of pesticides applied nationwide. This extensive chemical use not only raises concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts but also contributes to harmful runoff.

Excess fertilizer runoff leads to eutrophication in water bodies – an overgrowth of algae that depletes oxygen and damages aquatic ecosystems. Comparatively, native landscaping, with its deep-root systems, effectively absorbs and filters stormwater, reducing runoff and protecting our waterways.

Thirsty Lawns - The Water Consumption Issue: One of the most staggering environmental impacts of turf lawns is water consumption. The average Omaha lawn, about a quarter-acre in size, guzzles approximately 81,462 gallons of water in a summer. That’s the equivalent of filling a 30-foot round, 4-foot deep pool 2.5 times! Multiply this by the number of lawns in Omaha alone, and the water usage is astronomical. Native landscaping eliminates this issue, as these plants are adapted to thrive in local conditions without additional irrigation.

Conclusion - A Clear Environmental Choice: The environmental implications of choosing native landscaping over traditional turf grass are profound. From drastically reducing air pollution and chemical runoff to conserving precious water resources, the benefits are undeniable. As we continue to evaluate our impact on the planet, the choice of native landscaping stands out as a responsible, sustainable option for our yards.

In our next post, we'll explore another vital aspect of this debate: the aesthetic appeal of native landscaping compared to traditional lawns. Stay tuned for an eye-opening perspective on how beauty and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Green Savings: The Cost-Effective Choice of Native Landscaping Over Turf Grass

When it comes to landscaping, it's not just about the aesthetic appeal but also the economic impact. In Nebraska, and indeed much of America, the lush, green turf grass lawn has been the standard for decades. But is it the most cost-effective choice? Surprisingly, no. The hidden costs of turf grass, both in installation and maintenance, make a compelling case for an alternative: native landscaping.

The Upfront Investment - Installation Costs: Let's talk numbers. Initial installation costs per acre for turf grass can range from $7,800 to a whopping $14,825. In contrast, native landscaping comes in at a much more affordable $3,400 to $5,975. That's a potential saving of up to $8,850 per acre right from the start. These numbers aren't just hypothetical. Real-world studies, including one by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have consistently shown that native landscaping is kinder to your wallet.

The Long-Term View - Maintenance Costs: The savings don't stop after installation. On average, annual maintenance for turf grass can cost between $5,550 and $6,471 per acre. Compare that to native landscaping, which ranges from $1,600 to $1,788 annually. Over a decade, you could save anywhere between $3,950 and $4,683 per acre each year by choosing native plants over traditional grass.

Consider Prairie Crossings in Grayslake, Illinois, where native prairie landscaping proved to be 56% cheaper to install than turf grass. The story is the same with ongoing maintenance, with native prairie averaging $3,400 less per acre per year in costs compared to turf grass.

Case in Point - Owen Corning Campus: Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company, offers a striking real-world example. On their Toledo, Ohio campus, they maintain both turf and prairie grass areas. The annual maintenance costs for the turf grass areas are significantly higher – about $6,675 per acre, compared to a mere $140 for prairie grass. That's almost 1/50th the cost!

The 20-Year Horizon - Cumulative Costs: The long-term benefits are even more pronounced. A study by Applied Ecological Services in Broadhead, Wisconsin, found that over 20 years, the cumulative cost of maintaining prairie grasses totals approximately $3,000 per acre, compared to about $20,000 per acre for turf grass. That's a saving of $17,000 per acre over two decades!

Conclusion - Think Beyond the Lawn: Transitioning to native landscaping isn't just an environmental or aesthetic choice; it's an economically savvy one. The initial savings in installation and the drastic reductions in long-term maintenance costs make native landscaping a financially sound decision. So next time you're considering your landscaping options, remember: native plants offer not just a burst of natural beauty but a boost to your budget too.

Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we'll delve into the environmental benefits of choosing native landscaping over traditional turf grass. The savings go beyond just your wallet – they extend to the planet as well.

Give the Gift of a Greener Future This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves searching for meaningful gifts for our loved ones. This year, why not give the gift of transformation and sustainability?

Prairie in Progress is excited to offer a unique and thoughtful gift option – a Holiday Gift Certificate for a Free Lawn Consultation. This certificate is the perfect present for anyone who dreams of turning their outdoor space into a beautiful, eco-friendly prairie landscape.

Our expert team is dedicated to transforming lawns into vibrant, sustainable ecosystems that support local wildlife and reduce environmental impact. With this gift, your loved ones can embark on a journey to create their very own native prairie oasis.

To make your holiday gifting easy and impactful, we've created a downloadable PDF certificate that you can print right from home. Simply add the names, and your special gift is ready!

Download the Free Lawn Consultation Holiday Gift Certificate here!

This holiday season, spread joy and sustainability with Prairie in Progress. Let's make our world greener, one lawn at a time.

Embracing Nature’s Palette: The Rise of Native Landscaping

In the heart of Nebraska, a quiet revolution is unfolding. As we look beyond the manicured lawns that have long been a symbol of suburban success, there's a growing shift towards something more organic, more diverse, and more sustainable – native landscaping. This movement isn't just about changing aesthetics; it's about embracing nature's palette and rethinking our relationship with our environment.

Native Landscaping - A Cost-Effective and Beautiful Alternative: While traditional lawns, dominated by Kentucky bluegrass, have been the standard for generations, they come with a hefty cost – both economically and environmentally. Enter native landscaping: a practice that replaces non-indigenous plant materials and turf grasses with plants and grasses that evolved under local climate conditions. This not only means a dramatic reduction in the need for fertilizers, pesticides, mowing, and watering but also promises a yard that's aesthetically pleasing, drought-resistant, and hardy.

The Allure of Native Plants: Native landscapes offer a tapestry of color, texture, height, and seasonal variance that traditional lawns simply can't match. They change with the seasons, providing an ever-evolving backdrop to our homes. In spring, the burst of wildflowers; in summer, the sway of tall prairie grasses; in fall, a spectrum of fiery hues; and in winter, a stark, sculptural beauty.

But it's not just about looks. Native plants play a crucial role in our ecosystem. They provide crucial habitats for local wildlife, including a variety of pollinators. By choosing native plants, we're not just beautifying our space – we're actively contributing to biodiversity and environmental health.

Starting Small with a Demonstration Plot: If you're intrigued by the idea of native landscaping but not ready for a full yard transformation, consider starting with a demonstration plot. This smaller commitment allows you to experience the beauty and benefits of native landscaping in a manageable way. Whether it's a garden corner or a section by your patio, a demonstration plot can be an excellent introduction to the world of native plants.

Your Lawn, Your Legacy: Our lawns are more than just personal spaces; they're part of a larger ecological tapestry. By choosing native landscaping, we're not just making a statement about our preferences; we're taking a stand for sustainability and biodiversity. As more and more homeowners embrace native landscaping, we're slowly transforming the traditional American lawn into something that truly reflects the beauty and resilience of nature.