Meadows 101

March 20, 2025

Meadows help make Columbia a beautiful place to live – but did you know they’re also vital ecosystems? With benefits to people, pollinators and wildlife, CA establishes new meadows to enhance our open space each year.

The benefits of meadows

A meadow is an open area without many trees where native grasses and plants can thrive. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the number of meadows in Maryland has declined. Because they increase biodiversity, CA is intentional about creating these environments. This involves replacing turf grass in under-utilized areas with a mix of beneficial native grasses and plants.

CA’s meadows are made up of “warm-weather flowers” that bloom in the summer and attract pollinators of all kinds. You may see Black-eyed Susans, bee balm, mountain mint, tickseed and more colorful natives 🌼🌸. Beyond supporting pollinators, meadows also act as natural filters for stormwater runoff.

CA’s pocket meadow at Wilde Lake in bloom during the summer

While CA’s meadows at their peak in the summer, don’t be fooled by their “messy” appearance in the winter. You’re actually looking at a vital winter habitat for critters.

“Leaving dead plant material and leaf litter is so important for protecting native species,” says CA horticulturalist Jackson Sides. “Insect eggs are laid into hollow stems in the fall and hatch in the spring. There’s a whole hidden world of critters in our meadows in the colder months.”

Another benefit is the abundance of dried seed heads, which provide food for birds when resources are scarce.

High-impact + low-maintenance

To establish a meadow, the first step is clearing out the area – which includes removing any invasives – and preparing the site for seeding.

“It may sound counterproductive, but mowing the flowers is important in the first growing season,” Jackson explains. “This actually sends energy back down to the roots and helps establish a deep, healthy root system, which helps the plants retain water in the summer and keep out invasives.”

Once the meadow is well-established, it’s fairly low-maintenance and high-impact. This process usually takes two or three years.

CA continues to establish new meadows each year. Our largest project is Hopewell Meadow, where we converted two and a half acres into meadow last winter. You can also find smaller pocket meadows at Lake Elkhorn and Wilde Lake.

Did you know you can create your own meadow, too? Despite the size of your yard, you can help the environment by replacing turf grass with pollinator-friendly native flowers and grasses. Check out this resource from our friends at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to learn more.

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