WEBSITE UNDER DEVELOPMENT
PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE WORK ON THE GLITCHES
OUR COMMITMENT TO NATURE
Why "Beyond Milkweed"?
By now, many of us have heard the drumbeat of the importance of planting milkweed plants for supporting the monarch butterfly through its migration north and south and its life cycle as it develops into the "super butterflies" who migrate back south over the winter months. And this IS important. But, and this is the next step, there are many, many insects, amphibians, birds, mammals who are similarly challenged by a loss of key species to support either their own developing offspring OR the offspring of their prey.
My goal is to help educate clients about additional plants that support the entire threatened ecosystem by using our yards as habitats, with the ultimate goal of helping most homeowners and business owners to consider the full impact of their choices.
(Coming soon)
Who We Are
Heather Conrad, owner of Beyond Milkweed, is dedicated to transforming our urban yards into thriving ecosystems by utilizing native plants and sustainable processes as well as developing our urban foodscapes to create resilience during this next phase of climate change. Through education and guidance, she will help you learn how to integrate your yard into our ecosystem, while at the same time saving time and money on yard upkeep over the long haul.
Heather grew up in Arizona where the reality of water scarcity and using native plants in yard design was more the rule than the exception. After over 25 years of growing food and introducing pollinator friendly plants while reducing the grass in her urban spaces, she became curious about how to be more intentional about her choices. She is now a Master Gardener and an accredited Phipps Sustainable Landcare Professional, and is one class away from completing the Phipps Ecological Gardening Certificate program. Through this work, she has developed an understanding of how to integrate native plants, sustainable processes, and edible plants into an attractive urban space.
Why We Do What We Do
As humans have expanded our footprint into natural spaces by building housing and businesses, we have removed those spaces from nature, while simultaneously eliminating the plants, and the systems that go with those plants. Consequently, we have been depriving the insects, birds, and animals of their ecosystems. If, instead of planting grass and other introduced species in our yards, we use those displaced native plants as a major part of our garden (yard) landscaping, we then become PART of the natural system and help to support a balanced ecosystem. This is increasingly important as the effects of climate change worsen. By picking plants that fit with our aesthetic goals while also taking into account the soil that they are planted in, the general growing conditions of the site, and the systems that rely on plants in our region, our yards can become part of what Doug Tallamy calls the Homegrown National Park. All of this can happen while using fewer resources, and, after the planting settle in, less time from the homeowner.
Our tailored landscape designs and plant lists not only enhance the beauty of your home and support environmental sustainability, but Heather will also educate you throughout the process. Through detailed plans and education on plant selection and care, we ensure that your urban landscaping is both stunning and successful.
SERVICES
What We Offer
We provide expert consultations to help you choose the best perennial native and edible plants for your landscape. We will help you transition your yard from grass and imported plants to plants that feed the local ecosystem as well as you and your family, setting up implementation guides to steer your through the process.
Consultation
Expert Guidance
Our team is available to guide you through planning the landscaping process, offering coaching on how best to maximize the benefits of the yard you have, suggestions on what could be added and removed, insight on next steps and how to make more sustainable choices for your space.
Plants
Native Options
After extensive conversations with you, we will supply a diverse list of native (and perennial food, if requested) plants that thrive in your space. This will include tips on planting and maintenance.
Design
Personalized Plans
Heather will work with you to craft a comprehensive scaled visual design plan tailored to your vision and to your yard's parameters.