2023 Sustainable Backyard Tour

The Sustainable Backyard Tour takes place on ONE DAY:
SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 2024
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The FREE tour is SELF-GUIDED. There is no starting point; no tickets; and no rain date.

This year you can choose from nearly 60 yards to visit –including some in St. Charles and Millstadt!

Learn about organic gardening, permaculture, native plants, rainscaping, renewable energy, chickens, bees, composting, native plants and much more!

On Monday, June 24th, the addresses and map will be uploaded and viewable right here on our website to give you time to read the descriptions and plan your route.

We have yards that focus exclusively on Missouri native plants and others that focus on urban homesteading. You may see one that emphasizes renewable energy and has very little in the way of a formal garden. Or one that concentrates on fruit flow–a steady stream of seasonally producing fruit trees and berry bushes. Or all of the above!

In designing the tour, every year we seek to have a wide range of yard hosts so that there are options for everyone. It’s not intended to be a designer showcase, but more of an “I can do that!” day of inspiration. Some hosts are just getting started and their yards are works in progress. Others have been at this a long time– and may be expert in beekeeping, animal husbandry, solar or one of the many aspects of sustainable living that we like to spotlight. We include a “level” indicator in the online descriptions to help you choose. If you are an experienced organic gardener, you might visit the “mature” sites, or those that offer something new to you. If you’re just starting on the path of organic growing and sustainable living, talking to another newbie might be just the encouragement you need to take the first step, too.

Yard hosts will answer your questions, show you what they are growing and be happy to talk right up until 4:00, and then it’s over. We hope that all guests will respect the hosts’ generosity and not try to “squeeze in one more yard” after the event concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Also, please do not bring ANY animals of any kind to the yards you will be visiting. This includes wild animals, domestic animals, and family pets. We have good reason to ask all guests to please respect the hosts’ wishes on this matter and trust that you will understand. NO ANIMALS.

 

PLEASE REGISTER  if you plan to visit any of the yards on Sunday. By registering, you help us assess how many people attend AND you could win one of two prizes: A bundle of children’s books on Nature and the Environment or one of our new metal Sustainable Backyard outdoor yard signs. The winning numbers will be generated based on the registration form (which automatically dates and numbers all registrants). Winners will be notified promptly after the Tour.

Have good time!

 

 Backyard Tour Map

*Click/Tap the numbers to see info about each garden

GUIDE TO THE YARDS
Animals
ANIMALS: Chickens, Ducks, Rabbits, Fish, Guinea Fowl, Goats
BEES: Beekeeping/Bee Hives
BEES: Beekeeping/Bee Hives
MISSOURI NATIVES: Plants providing food and shelter to local fauna
MISSOURI NATIVES: Plants providing food and shelter to local fauna
Edibles: Fruit Trees, Organic Vegetables, Perennial Edibles, Herbs, Mushrooms
Fruit / Veggies : Plants that provide food for people/wildlife
Renewable ENERGY: Solar PV, Solar Pump, Oven, Lighting, Geothermal
Renewable ENERGY: Solar PV, Solar Pump, Oven, Lighting, Geothermal
WATER: Permeable Surfaces, Rain gardens, Rainwater Collection, Drip Irrigation
WATER: Permeable Surfaces, Rain gardens, Rainwater Collection, Drip Irrigation
Accessible-icon-for-web
ACCESSIBLE

*drag/scroll to see info for gardens on the tour!

#Number Description Address Area Wild Food Water Parking Accessible Level
1 Rogers Middle School garden contains 18 raised beds, trellises, and one large bed. We grow vegetables, herbs, raspberries, strawberries, and have several fruit trees. Next to our main bed, we have a pollinator garden. Our goal is to increase student understanding of our garden, in order to promote sustainability.
7550 MacKenzie Road 63123
 Affton
Wild Food
     Accessible Mature
2 We have converted half of our backyard to native planting underneather our oak tree. Phase one was three years ago and we just planted phase two. All plants are marked. We also have a greenhouse and vegetable gardens on site (Have raised beds; greenhouse with heater). Bird sanctuary – bubblers; cameras directed on birds to observe behavior; small water garden with frogs; transitioning to native water plants 2801 Tiara Drive 63010 Arnold   Parking is on a hill; access to backyard via steep concrete ramp AND via patio from top of ramp; and then 4 stairs to back yard. Progressing
3 Features top bar bee hives along with perennial native and wildflower plantings supporting pollinators. 157 Tortuna Dr. 63021 Ballwin       Progressing
4 Extensive native plantings, water reature, rain barrel collection system 2833 Manderly Dr 63144. Brentwood Water Accessible Mature
5 Turning my yard into a pollinator and wildlife refuge, with 24 native flower species, rain barrel, compost bin, reduced grass areas, 12 bird houses,15 bird feeders, 15-20 feet of wood area, native trees, butterfly watering station and fairy garden to appeal to neighbor kids 1801 Sumter Ridge Ct 63017 Chesterfield Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
6 Solar array, 12 acre prairie and apiary

 

 6 Old Jamestown Lane 63034 Florissant       park on grass field in designated area Mature
7 Early stages of a native restoration effort. I have a small woodland section with May apples and flocks, Celandine poppies fern. 977 Chapel Oaks 63131 Frontenac     Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
8 Visitors can expect progression. This is Julia’s Farm Stl’s second season and we have meat birds and laying hens. Along with herbs and vegetables. 7125 Beulah Ave 63033 Jennings Wild Food Water   Progressing
9  

Zero lawn native garden in Lemay. Designed for water conservation, wildlife abundance, and soil building.

 771 Pardella
63125		 Lemay Wild Food Water   Mature
10 17 acre non profit farm taking row crops out of service to plant natives 7101 State Route 158 62260 Millstadt, Illinois   Wild Food Water     Progressing
11 Observe a 4 year old suburban .5 acre (formerly 3.5 vacant lots) native plant and organic veg garden thriving on no supplemental water. This garden features two frog ponds. One pond is fed by roof run off and the other from the sky only. Large island beds with grass-only paths. 300 W. Harrison St. 62260 Millstadt, Illinois   Wild Food   Water Park on W. Harrison or Jackson St. Enter the garden off Jackson Circle. Progressing
12 This is a 3 acre property that was 90% grass lawn 2.5 years ago. Now it is in the process of being converted into a front yard full of natives, an annual garden with chickens nearby, a food forest, and 1.5 acres of native prairie in the back! 5505 Saxtown Rd. 62260 Millstadt, Illinois Wild Food Water
 Just Getting Started
13 Backyard chickens, permaculture fruit orchard and vegetable gardens, rain and wildlife gardens, composting 800 N. Price Rd 63132 Olivette   Wild Food   Water Park on Villa Ave W or E. Take sidewalk to driveway. Accessible Progressing
14 Our front yard rain garden takes in 40% of our roof runoff through underground piping and 3 downspouts. Dry creek bed along driveway has natives on either side. Pond in our rear yard features a small waterfall that I constructed over 20 years ago. We have bird and bat houses, and a slew of bird feeders. I plant only native plants in order to attract wildlife and pollinators and our yard is certified Gold by the Audubon Society Bring Nature Home certification program. 5 Green Oaks Drive 63132 Olivette   Wild Food Water Park on either side of the street without blocking neighbors driveways. Mature
15 Large lot with multiple gardens of native trees, grasses, and wildflowers. The vegetable garden utilizes composting. With a focus on birds and pollinators, no insecticides are used. Future focus will be on rainwater retention and green mulch. 5 Forsythia Lane 63132 Olivette     Wild Food   Progressing
16 At the Warren Homestead we focus on sustainably raising our own food through raising chickens and turkeys as well as using raised bed vegetable gardens and fruit orchards. 10421 Thorpe Ave 63114 Overland Wild Food     Accessible Progressing
17 Veggies, native flowers, hydroponics, small greenhouse, fire pit. In 2020 it was only lawn! 10120 Thorpe Ave 63114 Overland   Water Park in driveway or my side of the street. Please don’t block neighbors’ driveways. Accessible Progressing
18 With a combination of trial-and-error in the backyard and a designed rainscaping project (MSD grant) in the front, we’ve been replacing invasives and turf with native plants which has made a much nicer environment for pollinators and us! We also have a veggie garden, berries, and DIY compost. 7703 Weston Pl 63117 Richmond Heights Wild Food Water Progressing
19 This is a 15-ish year old mostly vegetable raisedbed garden with flowers as companion plants/to attract polinators. Strawberries, grapes, figs, pears, are in ground as well. Citrus trees (lime, pink lemon, calamondin) and potatoes are kept in containers. I have a compost area and some cold frames for winter growing.

 

 433 Lindenwood Ave 63301 St. Charles       Wild Food     Accessible Progressing
20 Welcome to ThistleDew! Learn about native gardens, sustainable stormwater management practices, dark skies, and simple, affordable habitat enhancements. 17 Doris Ave. St. Charles Wild Food Water   Mature 
21 Nestled under 3 mature oak trees and draining 10 uphill properties, Jack Hollow features multiple water management landscape features and 60+ species of native plants in full sun pocket prairies and shaded woodland plantings. Our no frills composting set up and caterpillar/butterfly insectary will be featured. 4921 Ardeth Ct. 63128 St. Louis   Wild Food   Water Progressing
22 Over half an acre of native plants with three rain gardens and a pond adjacent to 2+ acres of woodland. This micro-ecosystem is an ideal habitat for birds and other living creatures such turtles, frogs, toads, woodchucks, opossum, rabbits, etc. 11 Graeser Acres St 63146 St. Louis   Water Park along Graeser Acres street after the round about. Between 11 and 12 Graeser Acres street ‘opposite’ there’s woods with grassy parking. Look for orange cones balloons along the gravel driveway. Mature
23 At our small backyard farm, you can find chickens, a sizable vegetable garden, honeybees, native plants and a small fruit tree. Everything has been built by us, including the coop, garden, patio and retaining wall. 2740 Geyer Ave 63104 St. Louis City Wild Food     Progressing
24 Ducks and pond, native bog, chickens, and native plants chosen for food production and pollinator food and habitat. Swallowtail butterfly habitat. Front yard is converted to natives and food production. Backyard is converted to child play area, native plants, food production, and fowl habitat. Sun to shade plants featured. 2112 Victor St. 63104 St. Louis City Wild Food Accessible Progressing
25 Sunken garden, vegetables and fruit, perrenials, greenhouse 2701 Accomac St 63104 St. Louis City Wild Food Water   Progressing
26 Our farm uses regenerative agricultural practices. We have chickens and bunnies that we encourage folks to hold and cuddle with. 1832 Hogan Street 63106 Overland Wild Food Water   Accessible Mature 
27 Learn how to incorporate native plants into urban public spaces with an emphasis on naturescaping: people and nature coexisting with the landscape. 5011 Wherry Ave. 63109 St. Louis City Water Accessible Mature
28 ABC Microfarm (Always Be Composting and Caring about our Community) uses repurposed, scavenged and donated materials to DIY garden beds (wood pallets, plastic buckets, cardboard boxes, burlap bags, wine bottles) creating an ecofriendly alternative to a traditional lawn. 2022 MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Grant recipients. 6019 Lansdowne Ave 63109 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
29 Featuring vegetables, fruits, berries and Natives, the focus of this garden is participating in a native habitat and natural food web in an urban environment. This back yard creates food and shelter for people, pollinators, seed dispersers, rodents, and birds. We use ideas from the natural world. 5613 Itaska St. 63109 St. Louis City   Wild Food   Mature
30 Shaw Memorial Forest is a native forest of about 700 trees, each one a memorial to a loved one. The forest was created to bring biodiversity and native habitat to our neighborhood. We showcase rainwater management, use of quasi-public space, community engagement, and guerilla gardening to create a beautiful space. 3810 DeTonty 63110 St. Louis City Wild Food YES Water Progressing
31 We focus on permaculture, specifically the reuse of “trash” as raised beds, decore, trellises, & furniture. If you want inspiration of how to reuse something, this is your place. 4026 Castleman Ave 63110 St. Louis City   Wild Food   Water Mature
32 This yard was conceived of as an outdoor living space for gathering with friends and family. Some features include a large permeable paver patio, storm water detention, rain garden, native plants and grasses. The landscape construction and plantings were completed by the owners over three years. 3120 Providence Place 63111 St. Louis City   Water Mature 
33
As of Spring 2023, our property is lawn-free! The front yard has been planted with Missouri native species, and most of the backyard is edibles and ornamentals. We also installed a little free greenhouse in the front to share our extra plants and seeds with the community.
 3949 McDonald Ave 63116 St. Louis City   Wild Food Water   Progressing
34
Established yard still changing that promotes perennials, natives and wildlife that live together.
 4871 Goethe Avenue 63116 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Mature
35
“Postage stamp” yard mostly converted to native plants for sun/shade, Water Feature a.k.a. “Bird Magnet”, Native bee habitat, Buffalograss walkways & borders, Permeable paver walkways, Platinum Certified – Bring Conservation Home
 3910 Connecticut St. 63116 St. Louis City Water Mature
36
In 2022/23 I worked with Custom Foodscaping and MSD to receive the stormwater management grant. We installed a native/edible rain garden and rain tank. We have a small solar panel we use to power the water pump on the rain tank. We also have chicks and a vegetable garden.
 6128 Carlsbad Ave 63116 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
37
I grow a large garden with vegetables, native plants, edible flowers, and medicinal plants for my home apothecary. I focus on harvest & preservation from my garden, while emphasizing reuse of “trash” to make my treasure of a garden. Biointensive & companion planting methods used.
 2607 Michigan Ave 63118 St. Louis City Wild Food Progressing
38
See how to grow a lot of veggies in an urban yard—and how our new VegPod raised bed from Greenscape Gardens is working out great for us seniors!
 2125 McCausland Ave 63143 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Park on McCausland or in MiddleTree Church Lot AFTER 12:00 only. Accessible Mature
39
Northside Workshop is an art non-profit that educates about the importance of bees and pollinators to our food, ecology, and community. Our chemical-free teaching garden and native bee sanctuary are inspired by Missouri’s natural habitat and aim to inspire self-expression, environmental stewardship and food sovereignty.
 1306 Saint Louis Ave. 63106 St. Louis City Wild Food   Water Accessible Progressing
40
Hidden Alley Ranch. This large community garden near Tower Grove Park is a reclaimed former commercial site! It now features individual beds, orchards, an herb garden, berry bushes, grapevines, chickens, a pollinator area, woods with native Missouri trees and wildflowers, plus areas to play and gather.
 2366 Lawrence 63110 St. Louis City Wild Food Accessible Mature
41
Our 900 square foot yard welcomes humans and wildlife. Pill bugs and earthworms enjoy the compost. Songbirds hop between branches. Three watering methods keep the herbs, veggies, and new perennials thriving. Come by to enjoy our yard’s many views, and to discover that composting is easier than you might think.
 4024 Shaw Blvd 63110 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Progressing
42
Urban Flower Farm
 4736 Tennessee Ave 63111 St. Louis City Wild Food Mature
43
Urban Farm serving the community. Backyard turned farm
 931 Laurel St. 63112 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Progressing
44
Platinum Certified–Bring Conservation Home; 2017 St. Louis Wild Ones Landscape Challenge Winner; 2015 Project Clear Rainscaping Grant recipient; 130+ species of native trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, grasses & sedges; 250-gallon rain cistern; rain garden; permeable patio; various prairie, glade, and woodland beds; solar array + EVPlatinum Certified–Bring Conservation
 4170 Wyoming 63116 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Accessible Mature
45
We compost all scraps. We have a worm bin. We have raised beds made from recycled metal roofing sheets & recycled wood fence panels.
 4833 Austria 63116 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
46
I’ve used an eclectic and creative approach to sustainability in our tiny St Louis city front and backyard! No grass but instead- herbs, fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, MO native pollinator plants arranged in a cottage style design. Also 6 chickens, two children, and a dog- so multi-use space!
 3205 Hartford St 63118 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Progressing
47
Orchard on Virginia is a community garden emphasizing fruit trees
 3001-3005 Virginia Avenue 63118 St. Louis City Wild Food Progressing
48
Chickens with some customized coop features, growing beds, natural trellis of branches for beans, small green space maximized for animals, young fruit trees.
 1034 Childress Ave. 63139 St. Louis City Accessible Progressing
49
We focus on food (both community and individual members), pollinators, and water management.
 1560 Tamm Ave 63139 St. Louis City Wild Food Water Progressing
50
Certified Silver from the Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home program, on the journey to Platinum level. We enjoy native Missouri flowers and edible plants, with two raised beds for herbs and veggies. Our MSD rainscaping project is currently underway and will hopefully be installed in time for the tour.
 7307 Stanford Ave 63130 University City Wild Food Water Progressing
51
Come see a one year permaculture transformation with native landscaping, foodscaping, integrated raised beds, and ducks! I strive to balance a pet friendly oasis with food production that includes mushroom, fruit, and vegetables. Check out more at Two Toe Farm on YouTube!
 7450 Teasdale Ave 63130 University City Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing
52
When the homeowners moved here in 2015, the area outside their fenced backyard was full of invasive paper mulberry trees, honeysuckle and winter creeper. As they cleared the area, they saw an opportunity to use the sunny location for a garden that could be enjoyed by anyone walking by. Each year they work to replace more non-natives with natives (now numbering over 50.) The 2022 flood put some of the garden underwater, and a large tree fell last July. But the garden showed its resilience and survives.
 7301 Melrose Ave. 63130 University City Park on Melrose or cautiously on Midland Accessible Mature
53
With limited green space, I have focused on food production and native flowers. Thru yard sharing I am able to expand my green spaces and have four households utilizing one culinary garden.
 7472 Delmar Blvd 63130 University City Wild Food Water on Delmar or Marquards parking lot Accessible Progressing
54
We have planted more than 100 native plant species. We have a small pond. Our primary goal is to provide habitat for native species. We have several steep hills from which we’ve removed winter creeper and replaced with native plants.
 115 Oakwood Ave 63119 Webster Groves Water Mature
55
Organic no-till permaculture, native pollinator, and market gardening methods. Backyard orchard culture. Espalier. JADAM. Composting. Biochar. Regenerative Agriculture. Cover crops. Rain harvesting.
 777 Newport Avenue 63119 Webster Groves Wild Food Water Accessible Progressing