project stories

A collection of ecosystem success stories organized by budgetary implications.

what factors influence my budget?

We have identified four primary factors that influence total project cost. Below you can click through the low, medium, and high tiers of projects based on budget. 

setting & size

  • Urban Townhouse (<5k sq. ft. )
  • Urban & Suburban Home (5k sq. ft. - 1 ac.)
  • Suburban Home (1/4 ac. - 1 ac.)
  • Suburban & Rural Home (1 ac. - 2 ac.)
  • Rural Home or Farmhouse/Homestead (2+ acres)

Portion of lot impacted

  • full yard
  • partial yard
  • targeted area

Full Design or no design

  • full design:  a master plan for your entire vision (seeing is believing)
  • no design:  an accelerated concept plan more akin to a "napkin sketch" (for goal alignment and general placement)

amount & type of "feature"

  • full yard
  • partial yard
  • targeted area

suburban secret garden

0 ac
property size
$ 0 k
starting budget
0
primary features
0
plants installed
0
different species

project story

Leigh wanted to create a “secret garden” of native perennials and some food in her backyard. Her home is in a newer development where most of the topsoil has been stripped away and covered with Bermuda grass. Leigh had some planting/gardening experience but didn’t know how to work with her soil and needed someone to help who would teach her along the way. Her goal was to start eliminating mowing in her backyard entirely. She is now several steps ahead of the game after working with her perfect match, Biodesic Strategies, who made her vision real.

  • Biodesic Strategies
  • Arkansas - 38b Lower Boston Mountains
  • Rainwater Infilitration
  • Medicine
  • Food
  • Hugelkultur Beds
  • Wildflower Meadow
  • Native Pollinator Habitat

additional benefits

  • Nutrient Accumulation
  • Insectory
  • Nitrogen Fixation
  • Aromatic Pest Confuser
  • Flood Mitigation
  • Mosquito Deterrent

Designed by:  Tas Zinck & Chase Jones

rural habitat in ohio

0 ac
property size
$ 0 k
starting budget
0
primary features
0
plants installed
0
different species

project story

Doug moved to the countryside on 2 acres and wanted to create a habitat that would attract a variety of wildlife, feed pollinators, and create enough fruit and vegetables that he could eat and also even sell some locally. Throughout the design process, a pond, forest garden, pollinator habitat, and firepit area came to light as top priorities.
  • Erik Peterson
  • Ohio - 55b Eastern Corn Belt Plains
  • Water Habitat & Conservation
  • Raised Beds
  • Firepit Patio
  • Native Pollinator Habitat

The guys that Thrive Lot contracted with in Ohio are AMAZING! They're polite, knowledgeable and incredibly hard working! Everything is coming together nicely....and when they're done they'll be taking a drone photograph and walk me through the long-term care and maintenance of my amazing food-producing back yard!

Doug R.

Where once was a plain grass lawn that provided nearly zero ecological services, there’s now a diverse, multi-story #foodforest , #gardenbeds , #masonry area, #pond , and an array of other #nativepollinatorplants . Even the #monarchs love to visit now! The frogs and Dragonflies have taken to the pond already, and a Blue Heron has been seen stopping through. We simply set the table for life, and she always shows... This install was made possible by our ongoing collaborative partnership with @thrivelot . If you’d like to book us, or someone with similar ecological values in your area, give them a ring!

Erik Peterson

rural farmhouse

0 ac
property size
$ 0 k
starting budget
0
primary features
0
plants installed
0
different species

project story

Molly, her husband, and her 3 very small children moved into the property this past September. In her words, she is “not a farmer or gardener in the least” and the previous owners really let the landscape go. She read about permaculture and didn’t want to plant anything invasive or harmful and wants to make sure she is improving her land and not deteriorating the soil. Her immediate priorities were to improve the landscape bed and create an orchard. She also wanted to reduce the amount of yard for her husband to mow.

Susan Weber & Trish Clark formed the project team and delivered thoughtful solutions to meet and enhance Molly’s vision. After a successful installation, Trish is serving as Steward to cultivate and expand the holistic ecosystem.

  • Integrity Sustainable Planning & Design - Susan Weber
  • Pollination, Inc. - Trish Clark
  • Ohio - 55b Loamy, High Lime Till Plains
  • Rainwater Catchment
  • Native Pollinator Habitat
  • Fruit & Berries
  • Galvanized Planter Boxes
  • Wildflower Meadow & Cut Flowers
  • Deer Resistant Meadow
  • Flagstone & Gravel Paths

concept & design

  • Deer & Wildlife Pressure Resistance
  • Fences & Barriers
  • Dwarf Fruit Trees

Designed by:  Susan Weber