New Grand Rapids Program Helps Residents Rethink Their Lawns

If you’ve ever looked out at your front yard and thought, “Wow, this patch of grass could be doing a whole lot more,” you’re not alone.

A local nonprofit is ready to help transform your boring barren lawn into a buzzing, blooming space filled with native plants, vegetables, and pollinators. (And not to mention, gives you an excuse to get out of mowing.)

Kind Hearts Bloom is a Grand Rapids based nonprofit that’s already made a name for itself by helping residents start and sustain gardens. Now, it’s expanding its mission with a new initiative called Community Roots.

The program invites homeowners to apply for a two-year partnership where Kind Hearts Bloom provides the materials, design, and installation of a brand-new garden. In some cases it can be Michigan native plants, fresh veggies, or a little bit of both if you’re feeling crazy.

The idea sprouted (pun intended) after the group transformed one homeowner’s yard into a lush native species garden.

Within just six months, the once-ordinary lawn was overflowing with biodiversity, and attracting bees, butterflies, and birds in a way that felt magical.

The best part about native gardens is that they practically take care of themselves once established, and they offer critical habitats for pollinators and other wildlife while adding beauty to neighborhoods.

Applications for Community Roots are open now through October 6. Even if not everyone is selected this year, the nonprofit hopes the number of submissions will highlight just how much demand there is for turning our city’s lawns into thriving ecosystems, so if you’re interested make it known.

If you’ve been dreaming of trading in your plain old yard for something more alive and purposeful, this might be the chance to make it happen without taking on a massive project all by yourself.