Understanding the Site
The Little Prairie sits on a typical urban lot—a 40-foot-wide by 25-foot-deep south-facing front yard. Like many yards in the neighborhood, it was originally covered entirely with traditional turf grass.
Most of the front yard sits approximately 30 inches above the sidewalk. This elevation creates a steep slope, making lawn maintenance difficult and contributing to poor grass health. The yard naturally drains toward the sidewalk and street.
The bigger challenge came from the neighbor’s lot, which sits slightly higher and drains toward the house—leading to basement water leakage during heavy rains. Addressing side-yard runoff and redirecting water to the front yard became a key design priority.
Stormwater from the adjacent property channeled directly into the front yard.
The yard originally featured a basic lawn with standard foundation shrubs, including lilac and sand cherry, many of which were in decline.
A Pagoda dogwood tree anchored the corner near the porch. A mature Norway maple sits right in front of the house in the boulevard.
The shrub on the front yard was not sufficient in keeping visual interest during the winter.
Before condition: Sunlight condition in mid-October 2022.
The site receives a mix of full sun and partial shade. The Norway maple casts deep, shifting shade throughout the day.
Soil Conditions
The soil is sandy and fast-draining.
2 Understanding the Site
3 Revealing the Flow of Rain
4 Designing with Repurposed Materials
5 How It All Came Together
6 Tasty Natives We Love
7 Planting and Establishment Process
8 What It All Cost
9 Lessons Learned
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Saint Paul, MN