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Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard
The word “meadow” conjures images of wide expanses of land, but a mini meadow — a kind of informal flower garden started with seed sown directly into the soil — can be any size; plus, it’s fun, easy to grow, and good for the planet. With as little as 50 square feet and for less than $20, gardeners can plant a colorful meadow that demands little in the way of space, mowing, or maintenance, uses less water than a traditional lawn, and provides habitat for pollinators — not to mention a natural exploration space for children.
From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the soil, sowing evenly, and watering well, author Mike Lizotte guides readers through the process of successfully creating a miniature meadow that suits their climate, soil, and growing goals, whether planting to beautify a hellstrip, halt erosion, fill a boggy spot, or establish a nesting area for bees and butterflies. Mini Meadows offers gardeners of all levels the keys to creating, caring for, and reaping the rewards of thriving meadows through the seasons, year after year.
From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the soil, sowing evenly, and watering well, author Mike Lizotte guides readers through the process of successfully creating a miniature meadow that suits their climate, soil, and growing goals, whether planting to beautify a hellstrip, halt erosion, fill a boggy spot, or establish a nesting area for bees and butterflies. Mini Meadows offers gardeners of all levels the keys to creating, caring for, and reaping the rewards of thriving meadows through the seasons, year after year.
- GenresGardeningNonfiction
152 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 30, 2018
I absolutely love this book. I got it to review and expected to like it but that I wouldn't be able to use most of it, since we live in town and I didn't think we had enough space for any kind of meadow. I was quite wrong, as the author gives instructions for creating truly mini meadows as small as window boxes, and there are lots of examples of mini meadows in suburban yards. For instance, one house has a one foot strip of meadow flowers on either side of the front yard walkway, and others had them tucked against foundations and in corners of back yards.
There are so many helpful sections of this book, and it is filled with gorgeous color photos. There are instructions and plants listed for specific problems that meadows can solve, such as disguising trouble areas of your yard (around a septic tank, for instance), dealing with erosion, covering hills that are difficult to mow, dealing with a "hellstrip" (that section between your sidewalk and the street that you're never sure what to do with) and so on. There's an extensive section on pollinators with suggested plants for habitats and lots more. There are suggested flowers for every region, for every kind of situation (for deterring deer, for drought areas, etc.) and on and on. And there are colorful pictures of the plants suggested along with examples of these plants in meadow areas, so you can really visualize which ones you want. There are even sections telling what to expect (with pictures) 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after planting your meadow, how to troubleshoot anything that goes wrong, and how to care for it from then on.
I was happy to find that the author's gardening philosophies meshed perfectly with mine, too. He suggests lots of low-work ways to prepare the site and take care of meadows, not giving the reader overwhelming amounts of work to do. It's all attainable, and better yet sustainable, with a focus on being earth-friendly every step of the way. Best of all, he has a happy, friendly love of plants, flowers, meadows, pollinators, etc. that I adored. He talks about joining the joining the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge and about collecting seeds and journaling them with his daughter, for instance. He clearly knows his stuff and is wonderful at giving the reader both his knowledge and his enthusiasm.
I was also thrilled to find out that I can plant mini meadows this time of year (fall) and not just in spring, too. The author says that sowing seeds after a few frosts will give the seeds a head start for growing in the spring, and I have several problem areas in my yard that I'm excited to turn into small meadows now.
This is a fabulous garden resource that I highly recommend.
I received a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
There are so many helpful sections of this book, and it is filled with gorgeous color photos. There are instructions and plants listed for specific problems that meadows can solve, such as disguising trouble areas of your yard (around a septic tank, for instance), dealing with erosion, covering hills that are difficult to mow, dealing with a "hellstrip" (that section between your sidewalk and the street that you're never sure what to do with) and so on. There's an extensive section on pollinators with suggested plants for habitats and lots more. There are suggested flowers for every region, for every kind of situation (for deterring deer, for drought areas, etc.) and on and on. And there are colorful pictures of the plants suggested along with examples of these plants in meadow areas, so you can really visualize which ones you want. There are even sections telling what to expect (with pictures) 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after planting your meadow, how to troubleshoot anything that goes wrong, and how to care for it from then on.
I was happy to find that the author's gardening philosophies meshed perfectly with mine, too. He suggests lots of low-work ways to prepare the site and take care of meadows, not giving the reader overwhelming amounts of work to do. It's all attainable, and better yet sustainable, with a focus on being earth-friendly every step of the way. Best of all, he has a happy, friendly love of plants, flowers, meadows, pollinators, etc. that I adored. He talks about joining the joining the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge and about collecting seeds and journaling them with his daughter, for instance. He clearly knows his stuff and is wonderful at giving the reader both his knowledge and his enthusiasm.
I was also thrilled to find out that I can plant mini meadows this time of year (fall) and not just in spring, too. The author says that sowing seeds after a few frosts will give the seeds a head start for growing in the spring, and I have several problem areas in my yard that I'm excited to turn into small meadows now.
This is a fabulous garden resource that I highly recommend.
I received a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
February 23, 2019
I thought that Mini Meadows by Mike Lizotte would be a nice book about flowers, especially since I love flowers. However, what I didn’t realize is how useful it would be for me as a homeowner. I think of meadows as being big wide open fields which is not where my home is located. Instead, Mr. Lizotte shows many for those who have small areas to plant. I loved his ideas and recommendations. Now I am busily planning an area of my own.
Then my other misconception was that this would be more like a reference book. It does have lovely photos, close ups of flowers, lists suggestions for different US regions and ideas for flower boxes or pots besides bigger areas. Even more, it was a personable and interesting read. I read it from cover to cover, being quite taken by his tale of how he became “The Seed Man”. I do think I will use it as a reference but there was something about his style that drew me in, making me believe that I too could grow a beautiful mini meadow. I haven’t found any garden author since Jim Underwood Crockett, whose books I have enjoyed as much. Now Mike Lizotte needs a show. That is one I would watch.
Highly recommend for flower lovers everywhere.
The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
Then my other misconception was that this would be more like a reference book. It does have lovely photos, close ups of flowers, lists suggestions for different US regions and ideas for flower boxes or pots besides bigger areas. Even more, it was a personable and interesting read. I read it from cover to cover, being quite taken by his tale of how he became “The Seed Man”. I do think I will use it as a reference but there was something about his style that drew me in, making me believe that I too could grow a beautiful mini meadow. I haven’t found any garden author since Jim Underwood Crockett, whose books I have enjoyed as much. Now Mike Lizotte needs a show. That is one I would watch.
Highly recommend for flower lovers everywhere.
The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
January 31, 2019
I recently read Mini Meadows by Mike Lizotte and it has completely motivated me to add flowers in various spaces around our yard. This is a great little book that packs in a lot of helpful information in short snippets. He also features lots of quick lists, with pictures – such as “eight plants for partial shade” and “tough plants for the hellstrip.” He has good advice for putting flowers just about anywhere, and how to prepare the space to do well. There a whole section on perennial wildflowers – which I like. And he addresses the necessary host plants for pollinators that we should all be considering. Make it all the way to the end, and you find specific lists for your region of the country. All that – and the photography is gorgeous!
This review appears as part of a blog post. I received an advance copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. See link below.
https://patch405.com/2019/01/31/dream...
This review appears as part of a blog post. I received an advance copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. See link below.
https://patch405.com/2019/01/31/dream...
September 24, 2018
This book Mini Meadows by Mike Lizotte is such a great book! Explains how to provide meadows which in turn provides food and pollen to many insects not just bees and butterflies. Beautiful pictures and it's written so anyone could be able to do this. I have so many ideas now that I've just got to try! Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my honest opinion. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in not just meadows but flowers etc.
December 21, 2019
This was a wonderful resource for planting a meadow of any size. Loved all the photos of flowers and the step by step guide.
September 5, 2018
Beautiful photos and great information that even a beginner gardener can follow to create their own mini meadow. I've been looking for a way to make my own small property lower maintenance and I think this is the perfect solution. I've wanted a more natural landscape since my area is very hot and dry in the summers; keeping grass alive is a battle. I actually made a half-hearted attempt last year with wildflower seed, but now I see I went about it all wrong. I can't wait to turn my "hellstrip" and the hilly portion of my yard into lovely patches of wildflowers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful book! All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful book! All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
April 3, 2019
The word meadow brings to mind pictures of differing flowers and grasses growing together to become a pleasing site for the mind and senses. This is what we all look for when we go out in "nature". Not many of us live in areas where we can enjoy a meadow often. Mike Lizotte has given us the guidance and information to build our own slice of nature in whatever space we have available. From information on which flowers and grasses will give us the most visual and aromatic pleasure to how much space each variety will need to grow and expand, his practical advise is well written and thought out. It makes it very easy to follow and actually succeed on your first attempt. I know, I'm working on mine now.
February 21, 2019
Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard by Mike Lizotte is a nonfiction gardening book that is currently scheduled for release on March 5 2019. The word “meadow” conjures images of wide expanses of land, but a mini meadow, a kind of informal flower garden started with seed sown directly into the soil, can be any size. It can also be fun, easy to grow, and good for the planet. With as little as 50 square feet and for less than $20, gardeners can plant a colorful meadow that demands little in the way of space, mowing, or maintenance, uses less water than a traditional lawn, and provides habitat for pollinators, not to mention a natural exploration space for children. From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the soil, sowing evenly, and watering well, this book guides readers through the process of successfully creating a miniature meadow that suits their climate, soil, and growing goals, whether planting to beautify a hellstrip, halt erosion, fill a boggy spot, or establish a nesting area for bees and butterflies.
Mini Meadows is detailed and well organized, with a pleasant conversational feel. Towards the end ogf the book there are some regional planting guides that I found particularly helpful. I know my planting zone, but I think the regional breakdown is slightly more accessible. I liked getting to know a bit about the author and his family as I learned about planting, planting, and caring for meadows. I love the look of fields of flowers, but I never thought my small yard and small gardens could be anything like a meadow. This book offered me ideas and inspiration to take some of this space and enjoy some mini meadows. The fact that they can be so low maintenance fits in my my increasingly busy life, and how little I have been enjoying the summer heat each year. I like how the author gave additional resources in the endpages, including seed sources, gardens to visit, and further reading.
Mini Meadows is a book that I will be looking to revisit in the late winter. It has given me many ideas, and I think it will help other gardeners looking for some information and inspiration.
Mini Meadows is detailed and well organized, with a pleasant conversational feel. Towards the end ogf the book there are some regional planting guides that I found particularly helpful. I know my planting zone, but I think the regional breakdown is slightly more accessible. I liked getting to know a bit about the author and his family as I learned about planting, planting, and caring for meadows. I love the look of fields of flowers, but I never thought my small yard and small gardens could be anything like a meadow. This book offered me ideas and inspiration to take some of this space and enjoy some mini meadows. The fact that they can be so low maintenance fits in my my increasingly busy life, and how little I have been enjoying the summer heat each year. I like how the author gave additional resources in the endpages, including seed sources, gardens to visit, and further reading.
Mini Meadows is a book that I will be looking to revisit in the late winter. It has given me many ideas, and I think it will help other gardeners looking for some information and inspiration.
January 5, 2019
See my full review at https://mmbookshelf.wordpress.com/201...
My first review of the year is always a garden book – perfect for spending a snowy day planning your beautiful creation come spring. With this new book, not yet released, you can make plans to create a natural flower garden that puts you in mind of flower-filled meadows. No matter where you live, says Lizotte, you can recreate this effect, in a large or small space. You’ll learn to how to plant and grow the garden, harvest and store seeds, decide whether or not to mow it, and how to ensure it comes back for years of joy. Lizotte includes instructions and helpful hints – for instance, bales of straw (not seed-filled hay) will help stabilize a newly planted slope. Fully half the book is devoted to photos and lists of plants for creating a bloom-filled meadow of every kind, and there are sections to help deal with potentially challenging environments, such as slopes and small boxes. While the how-to-part is relatively simple, the stories and photos are sure to inspire you to bring some meadows into your living space. My thanks to Storey Publishing for the advance reading copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
My first review of the year is always a garden book – perfect for spending a snowy day planning your beautiful creation come spring. With this new book, not yet released, you can make plans to create a natural flower garden that puts you in mind of flower-filled meadows. No matter where you live, says Lizotte, you can recreate this effect, in a large or small space. You’ll learn to how to plant and grow the garden, harvest and store seeds, decide whether or not to mow it, and how to ensure it comes back for years of joy. Lizotte includes instructions and helpful hints – for instance, bales of straw (not seed-filled hay) will help stabilize a newly planted slope. Fully half the book is devoted to photos and lists of plants for creating a bloom-filled meadow of every kind, and there are sections to help deal with potentially challenging environments, such as slopes and small boxes. While the how-to-part is relatively simple, the stories and photos are sure to inspire you to bring some meadows into your living space. My thanks to Storey Publishing for the advance reading copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
October 27, 2018
What a wonderful book for those wishing to plant a variety of seeds in their gardens for a mass of flowers. Even though its aimed at American gardeners, the English gardens can still benefit from these methods.
The book provides details on how to prepare the ground, which seed mixes are best and how to spot fillers that are sometimes put in mixes. Also included is an explanation of plug plants. It also explains annuals, bi-annuals and when plants drop seeds plus when they start to appear again.
There is lots of colour photography showing seeds and the grown plants, meadows, seeds at 30, 60 & 90 days after planting or even small planters for.those with limited space.
Plants are split into different types by the soil, pollinators or climate to name but a few, and it shows a selection of seeds that would have been perfect this summer where we had a long dry spell. I've certainly learnt plenty from this book and is great for those starting with flower seeds.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
The book provides details on how to prepare the ground, which seed mixes are best and how to spot fillers that are sometimes put in mixes. Also included is an explanation of plug plants. It also explains annuals, bi-annuals and when plants drop seeds plus when they start to appear again.
There is lots of colour photography showing seeds and the grown plants, meadows, seeds at 30, 60 & 90 days after planting or even small planters for.those with limited space.
Plants are split into different types by the soil, pollinators or climate to name but a few, and it shows a selection of seeds that would have been perfect this summer where we had a long dry spell. I've certainly learnt plenty from this book and is great for those starting with flower seeds.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
April 4, 2019
Mini Meadow
by Mike Lozoette
From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the right soil mixture, sowing and how to water them well, Mike Lozoette helps the new gardener learn how to create a beautiful place outside. When using the word “meadow”, the though conjures images of wide expanses of land, beautifully landscaped; but, it can be any size. Mowing, and yearly maintenance that traditional lawn, mini meadows will use less water, provides habitat for pollinators and gives a natural exploration space for children to learn about nature.
Filled with wonderful, colorful pictures to help create the vision of a possible site for a spot of land so small you think that it will be wasted. I enjoyed being allowed to read this book in it’s advance reader vision, and give Mr. Lozoette two-thumbs up and a 5-start book rating.
by Mike Lozoette
From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the right soil mixture, sowing and how to water them well, Mike Lozoette helps the new gardener learn how to create a beautiful place outside. When using the word “meadow”, the though conjures images of wide expanses of land, beautifully landscaped; but, it can be any size. Mowing, and yearly maintenance that traditional lawn, mini meadows will use less water, provides habitat for pollinators and gives a natural exploration space for children to learn about nature.
Filled with wonderful, colorful pictures to help create the vision of a possible site for a spot of land so small you think that it will be wasted. I enjoyed being allowed to read this book in it’s advance reader vision, and give Mr. Lozoette two-thumbs up and a 5-start book rating.
November 6, 2018
Although quite simple and self-explanatory, I love the title. The concept is carried on into the book that proves quite informative, even for those who live in the parts of Europe that are extremely cold in Winter and hot in Summer. The colourful promise of the cover is carried into the content and, hopefully, your own subsequent garden.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2019
This is an excellent book for the beginning gardener or the person convinced they have a “black thumb” with plants.
It offers useful ideas about how to spruce up even a few feet of your yard with wildflowers, annuals, and perennials.
I’m looking forward to trying the suggested deer resistant plants in my yard next growing season—great advice!
Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF to read and review.
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
It offers useful ideas about how to spruce up even a few feet of your yard with wildflowers, annuals, and perennials.
I’m looking forward to trying the suggested deer resistant plants in my yard next growing season—great advice!
Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF to read and review.
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
February 13, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Mini Meadows as I have worked hard over the last several years to create and curate my own mini xeriscape meadow in my backyard. The tips and suggestions about planning and cultivating one’s own meadow, plus the list of suggested flowers, trees, and vines, coupled with the lovely illustrations and lively writing make this a worthy addition to any gardener’s bookshelf.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.
April 7, 2021
Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard is a nonfiction gardening book written by Mike Lizotte with photos by Rob Cardillo and published in 2019 by Story Publishing. This book serves as a detailed guide on how to successfully create a meadow in your own backyard. The book includes beautiful color images every few pages, a suggestion guide on what plants to grow broken down by region, and an appendix. Lizotte’s conversational tone and Cardillo’s vibrant photographs make this book a very enjoyable read. This book is different from a lot of previous gardening books I have read, which usually tend to be either very scientific and difficult to digest or written with young children as the intended audience. This book, however, falls in between. Lizotte’s intended audience is not children, but Lizotte also does not assume the reader is a gardening expert. Lizotte explains terms and provides instructions so that someone who is unfamiliar with plants or gardening would still be able to follow them easily. Lizotte also effectively establishes a friendly, knowledgeable voice in this book by providing his background information as owner of American Meadows and by using specific, real-life examples throughout to reinforce his explanations.
June 25, 2020
Find Mike Lizotte’s heartfelt fun and joy on every page of this book, blessed by the pleasing-to-the-eye photography of Rob Cardillo, GardenComm Media Awards winner. Together they will help you transform your garden with the wonder of wildflowers. Let Lizotte’s life-long love of seed gardening refresh you with inspiring ideas. Easy-to-follow how-to’s, beautifully illustrated flower guides, and straightforward instruction make Mini-Meadows a must-have in your gardening book library. Mini-Meadows sets our sights on succeeding seasons, and guides us to linger in continual opportunities and work them for good. The book teaches the on-going nature of cultivating nature in our yards.
April 30, 2023
Wanted to like, but gave me the vibes of the dollar tree "wildflowers for pollinators" seed packets that are full of fillers and invasives.
i wish this book would've focused a little bit more on natives- especially when so much emphasis of the book was on pollinators. 2 random pages about natives followed by a few pages on why you are allowed to shift the focus away from natives just made me a bit sad. Regions were also scarsely mentioned so some of the plants recommended actually *are* invasive where I live.
i wish this book would've focused a little bit more on natives- especially when so much emphasis of the book was on pollinators. 2 random pages about natives followed by a few pages on why you are allowed to shift the focus away from natives just made me a bit sad. Regions were also scarsely mentioned so some of the plants recommended actually *are* invasive where I live.
July 28, 2023
Lovely short nonfiction book about how to grow a meadow no matter your growing zone or space. Very colourful, lots of pictures. Direct and simple language. Clear instructions.
Doesn’t always have pictures of every single flower every time it’s mentioned which means lots of page flipping for the curious ones with poor memory.
Choice paralysis is an issue for me with all the varieties of flowers to plant.
Doesn’t always have pictures of every single flower every time it’s mentioned which means lots of page flipping for the curious ones with poor memory.
Choice paralysis is an issue for me with all the varieties of flowers to plant.
June 24, 2022
At least 1 part of our property is going to be turned into a meadow, with more human guidance than it has gotten for the last year, when it has grown weeds - and unattractive weeds at that. Looking for mostly natives but I appreciate the guidance on interspersing non-native annuals that will give faster color but not do long-term damage to the area or wider environment, like invasives.
November 28, 2019
I'd like to get this again (ILL), because it had really good references, like lists of different types of plants for your goals, specific weather, and type of soil. I really hate having a lawn, so I love all the ideas for things you can do to make your yard less ridiculous!
April 10, 2024
I love this book! It’s the perfect guide to creating mini meadows in any space or situation. The photos are lovely and the instructions are great. I will definitely be growing my own mini meadow this year because of this book!
June 7, 2019
A helpful, practical, and straightforward tool for gardeners of all levels.
August 20, 2019
Love the beautiful pictures and descriptions of the flowers. And I love the attention to attracting pollinators and trying to suggest native plants.
September 5, 2019
I love this book! It was so helpful and informative. I can’t wait to create my own meadow!
October 5, 2019
If you love wildflowers, this book will give you useful tips for starting your own little meadow. Lovely photos of plants for a variety of implementations, soil types and regions.
November 6, 2019
This is a great book. The author is very knowledgeable. It is worth owning.
December 31, 2019
Good introduction to the concepts. Specific derails are thin due to the variable nature of planting a garden in your geographic region, but it's given me a firm starting point.
April 12, 2021
Great visual book to jump-start that new meadow garden with gorgeous photos and lots of lists!
April 23, 2021
Nice book to start you on your way and give you ideas for planting a meadow,
August 28, 2021
Feeling inspired to plant my own meadows! Lots of good information on how to add natural beauty to your yard!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews