This project was our favorite yet! And yes, literally free!
We first met the Urban Naturalist at our local farmers market. When we encountered the company, we were thrilled to finally find an idea that resonated with us and that we were passionate about supporting.
A majority of the business’s flowering plants are native to Louisiana. Native plants offer numerous advantages for sustainable landscaping, as they are naturally adapted to local conditions, require less maintenance, and promote resilience. Once established, they need less water, supporting water conservation efforts. Additionally, native plants attract wildlife, minimize the need for pesticides, and promote biodiversity. The presence of butterflies and beneficial insects around the yard highlights their positive impact.
Work for Plants
Now comes the exciting part, how we got them for free! The urban naturalist offered to trade work for plants, so Jacob and I signed up for a 2-hour slot. On the morning of Good Friday, we were surrounded by the beauty of a thriving plant nursery. Jacob bagged soil, which included mixing rabbit manure with topsoil (pee-YOO!). I transferred plugs into larger containers and placed them in their new spot in a greenhouse. It was quite a therapeutic experience.
Fortunately, the weather here in Louisiana was very cool and breezy, which is rare. Afterward, we filled our cart with lots of flowers. None of them had bloomed yet and were still very young, but we simply picked them by handfuls based on the pictures displayed and headed home to plant them.
Free Compost
For our mulch needs, we received a truckload of free “green waste” from our public works department. Thanks to our government’s composting program, Lafayette not only keeps its garbage disposal rates stable but also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. Plus, they provide tractors on-site to assist with loading, making it a convenient and environmentally friendly solution for everyone!
The next steps went smoothly. We laid down biodegradable paper to help prevent weeds, although we couldn’t ignore the inevitable backaches they’d bring. As I sorted the flowers by color, Jacob handled unloading the compost. It was gratifying to see insects thriving in the compost already. Despite the initial challenge of visualizing the flowers, I decided to let go of perfectionism and aim for a relaxed, natural garden vibe. After planting and watering everything, we felt proud of our work but definitely in need of a shower.
Finito
Watching these little plant babies thrive has been incredibly rewarding! It seems like every day brings new growth and surprises in the garden. I’ve even taken on the role of garden guardian, keeping a close eye on our toddler, Ben, who has a knack for picking flowers for Mama – though he’s still learning the difference between yard flowers and garden flowers! We’ve got plans for edging and other upgrades down the line, but for now, we’re basking in the satisfaction of checking this project off our list and tackling other priority projects. I can’t wait for our garden to be bursting with the tallest blooms to tend to! And a shoutout to my honorary garden buddy, Sully the Snail – he seems pretty pleased with his new digs too!
Special thanks to the Urban Naturalist for all they do and for making this possible. Check them out here! https://urbannaturalist-105436.square.site/
High Five 
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