Talking with a friend this week about his native plant landscape, he commented how he would welcome deer into his yard to prune the plants like they would be in nature. After battling deer all summer and practically running into them during walks in the neighborhood at any time of the day anymore, it really struck me. A native landscape does need these natural pruners. Sometimes we have to take their place by handling the task with clippers.

Having deer as a natural part of the landscape isn’t something we think about very often. Normally, we do everything we can to keep them out. But for David and Marilyn, they brought the natural landscape that they love directly into their backyard. This which means deer have their place along with the 70+ species of birds and myriad of native insects that utilize the space.

David and Marilyn’s Yard

I’ve known about their unique yard for years. Finally, I was able to visit at the end of August in the midst of tens of thousands of acres burning in the nearby forest. From the moment we stepped out of the car, I knew it was a special place. An enormous ant hill greeted us on the strip near the road and ants utilized the aphids on the artemisias. While this sounds like a gardener’s nightmare, everyone was doing what they should.

In the back, the tiny yard was divided into “rooms”. It ranged from a laundry area to a couple-chicken coop, to a lovely dining spot underneath the enormous native pines. Native plants, curing in their golden glory, led us through the landscape inviting us to explore what was around the corner or beyond the tree. You would never guess you were in the middle of town.

Environmental Advantages

Besides feeling like you’re out on a nature walk when you’re in their backyard, what’s really cool is how little water they use to have such an incredible landscape. David said they use a third of what a typical city resident uses since they don’t give their plants, except for their handful of magnificent vegetables, supplemental water. Plus, their place is a wildlife haven. Before buying this home, he said they rented a place just 4 blocks away. Being a biologist, he is tuned into wildlife activity. He noted they only had 4-5 different species of birds utilizing the area. Now, as previously noted, they have over 70, and an eagle flying overhead doesn’t count. These are birds using the area, whether it’s foraging in the garden or actually nesting. When you think of the monoculture landscape most of the animals find, this is a really big deal, particularly for migrating birds that need stopovers like this.

My own garden

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that we are going to have to fence off the vegetable garden with an 8-ft structure. This leaves me with several other gardens to figure out. The food forest is fending for itself for the time being. But the other garden around the patio is in for a change. There are some difficult areas near the house where I don’t water at all. It only makes sense to choose plants that thrive without it. I’m looking at tearing out the daylilies, sedum, lavender catmint, and perennial geraniums to replace them with yucca, penstamons, wild licorice, and other plants found on the prairie. This will be the same for the front garden in this space since I am terrible about watering that area. From there, I foresee dividing the area where I grew potatoes this year into a dining space and a spot to put a hammock for the boys.

The beauty of it is it won’t matter if the deer visit to nip back the native plants. Although, if our friend still really wants one, I’m sure I can coax a doe into the back of the car to bring over his very own mobile pruner!