b'solarized the yard, a process of layingShe wanted to give that experience to down clear plastic and letting the sunher children, even if it was only as a heat up the soil and kill the plants. Infront yard.the spring, she took up the plastic andI definitely like to see the wildlife laid down a native wildflower mix asinteractions, she says. Her curious kids her first step to creating a meadow ingo outside to observe the bees up close, her front yard.which is really cool because a fed bee Why a meadow? Miller grew up inis not looking to sting you. And also theMidwest.Herchildhoodmemo- our native bees, they dont keep hives, ries of prairies felt like home to me.so theyre not defending a hive.Jessica Miller created a meadow in her front yard to echo her childhood memory ofScott Hornes back yard is an exposed side of a cliff. He found plants that could survive prairies in the Midwest. and flourish with the thin soil and hillside erosion.24/ matters magazine / hearth + home 2024'