I’m dreaming of a spring meadow or prairie! This is the perfect time to starting planning to plant. Order Here.

THE BOOK HAS BEEN REVISED!  Urban & Suburban Meadows returns with a new forward by Heather Holm, more photos and resources! The revision has been long awaited as we focused on making and distributing Hometown Habitat, Stories of Bringing Nature Home.  Urban & Suburban Meadows makes the perfect gift for your family and gardener buddies-you need one too!  Let’s make natural landscapes the new landscaping norm!!

About the book and companion video.

With over 48 million acres of lawn in the U.S., Urban & Suburban Meadows is a film aimed at helping people just say NO to thirsty, pesticide ridden, energy consuming lawns.

Author and photographer, Catherine Zimmerman combines her expertise in photography, storytelling, environmental issues, horticulture and organic practices to offer meadowscaping as an alternative to reduce lawn. Zimmerman weaves her personal journey of changing her own landscaping choices into a guide that demonstrates both the need to change current, detrimental landscaping practices and the practical know how and resources to accomplish that change. The film and book bring into focus the amazing diversity of life inhabiting meadows and prairies and the beautiful imagery inspires meadow and prairie creation!

The 60-minute video is formatted to be screened in one sitting or the viewer can click on individual chapters with meadow experts Michael Nadeau, Larry Weaner and Neil Diboll, who walk the viewer through meadow site preparation, design, planting and maintenance. In the chapter, Why Native Plants, entomologist, Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, explains the intricate connection between native plants, native insects and the soil food web.

The book also provides step-by-step instructions for meadow-making. In addition, plant lists and resource sections with local vendors, help to assist the meadow creator in bringing diversity back to urban and suburban landscapes.

What beauty does the meadow hold
Whispering breezes caress sunflowers of gold
Finches, bees and butterflies flutter and dine
On seeds and sweet nectar so divine
Bird melodies all day trill
’til twilight falls and makes them still
Sunrise sparkles on dew clad grasses
As I stroll the path with buoyant gladness
— Catherine Zimmerman