“Farmland to Flowers”
John and Moira Lawrence have been FoHVOS members for decades, and active community conservation leaders for the last 7 years. John and Moira reside on a 29- acre property in Hopewell, originally a hay farm. In 2012, the Lawerence’s attended an event hosted by FoHVOS where they met and spoke with FoHVOS Stewardship Director. Our stewardship director met the Lawrences at their property to do a walk through of their land. They assisted them with direction to transform an acre of their multiflora rose and autumn olive ridden property into a native meadow. In addition, they highlighted the invasive species that were pre-existing on their property from years of overgrown shrubbery and repeated years of cultivating hay.
To make the meadow possible, The Lawrence’s worked closely with a native nursery alongside a local landscape architect to ensure their plan came to life. Working with a local native nursery was instrumental in providing species native to the Hopewell area while the landscape architect assisted with drainage of the wetland. Whitetail deer overpopulation and encroaching invasives are the major challenges to the meadow’s progress; because native plants suffer from the intensity of deer browse, aggressive invasives like garlic mustard and stilt grass reemerged without competition.
The Lawrences chose to install a deer fence on 7-acres of the property to help the livelihood of their newly planted invasives. The deer exclosure around the garden and property have helped dramatically in protecting the native species including viburnum and hydrangea which are flourishing within the exclosures.
Reflecting on the past years of hard work, Moira encourages landowners interested in planting a wildflower meadow to understand their own microenvironments and work with experts who provide localized insight on plants, soil, and environmental conditions. She admits that seemingly inextricable invasive species can be discouraging, but persistent, diligent stewardship can curb invasive growth and allow for beneficial species to flourish.
Restoring a native meadow takes time…the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, and the third year (and beyond) it leaps! Through FoHVOS native plants sales, the Lawrences have continuously introduced more native plants into their landscape to achieve a great balance of beauty and environmental benefit. The Lawrences saw a rich profusion of wildflower growth in their third year of the meadow and continue to monitor invasive species. In addition, the Lawrence’s host two Kestrel boxes along with bluebird, wren and barn swallow habitats on their property. Their conservation initiatives help reduce their carbon footprint and support local ecology, through targeted projects like the meadow restoration, and long-term investments like deer exclosures and geothermal power.
- The Lawrences were among the first private landowners to participate in the FoHVOS kestrel box program.
- The remaining field on the property is mown and baled for the neighboring horse farm.
- They are committed to expanding environmentally friendly practices and also invested in geothermal heating and 99% solar-powered electricity.