US native bees generally will build hives underground, under and in rotting logs and stumps, and high up in old woodpecker nest holes found in trees. While panting clover would definitely invite some activity to your lawn, unless you had a brush or log pile or a lot of snags (dead trees) they wouldn't settle down in your yard, just visit.
If you would like to attract some harmless native bees that are amazing pollinators, like carpenter bees and mason bees, you could always look into building a bee hotel or buy a cheap one
Excellent suggestions.
Bird feeders are in the plans.
I put up a bat box when we moved in about 3 years ago and it's still vacant. Maybe I put it in a bad location.
One of these:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FBQSZB9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mine is over 5 years old, but here is a link to one. It's the same brand I have, but I bought mine from home Depot or Menards or something. Can't remember exactly.
This is my neighborhood as well.
My wife and I refer to it as Richard Scarry's Busytown. Everyone here has people who do their physical work. Their loss.
Just got this on Amazon Treasure Truck. It makes quick work of my leaves. Biggest problem is I’m tall and it’s short, but if I let it hang down it works a treat.
WORX WG509 12 Amp TRIVAC 3-in-1... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MN4YCKK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I found this book really helpful. You could see if the library has it. I also scanned the Dallas portion for someone else so I could send it to you if you want. This seems really cool! Good luck! Native Texas Plants
Amazon does have location-based sales restrictions. Try shipping thisto a California zip code
>This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location.
I suggest buying and or making cute little yard signs that say something sweet like “Bees live here”, “Butterflies live here”, etc.
Then takes some beautiful, summer pictures and post over your social media, Nextdoor app. and get people on your side! Talk at your city council.
Mow it and then put down some "Slow Mow". Seem's easier to mow it than to dig it up or put in an ugly fence. What if you have a party and need to park on the grass?Slow Mow
Thats the best-looking eyesore I have ever seen! You definitely have just one harasser.
My old neighbor had a wonderful veggie garden in front too. She set up a Critter Sprinkler to deal with the animal and human 'pests'. It was very effective and provided great entertainment!
It’s this one off Amazon:
Direct Global Trading Instant... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0987RGKYM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It’s enough to bring some wildlife to the garden. I’ve got some pondweed in there, as well as marginal plants and a gorgeous pink water Lily. I’ve set up a frog house next to the pond too (currently under cover).
The idea with the pond, is that it will encourage extra wildlife and diversity to the garden. There’s lots of inspiration for small plant pot ponds out there, and I found this one for my wildlife garden.
You can get an aerator and do the aeration yourself. I have heavy clay soil, and I love my aerator. I use it to get started any time I have to dig a hole to plant something.
I have these scattered about near the cut grass border of my pollinator garden. Maybe they will help along with the sign? It makes it look more purposeful.
https://www.amazon.com/Datingday-Colourful-Butterflies-Miniature-Decoration/dp/B01HESJMBS
Try seeds? I bought this seed mix last year - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005RQKJAI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. I only planted a few (started the seeds inside then transplanted them when they were about 2 inch tall). Then in July I sprinkled some seeds outside, watered them every day for about a week, and this year I have quite a few more plants than last year! I'm in zone 4, so harsher winters than jn your area, and fewer plants are perennials. I'll probably post a picture in this sub later in the season if I get any blooms.
I bought a raspberry plant 2 years ago, now it spread out quite a bit -an area of about 9sq ft. I might have to trim it down so it doesn't take over my whole garden.
Mint is also pretty hardy - I bought one single plant, now it's spread out in my back yard too. Reminds me of creeping Charlie - it spreads out through roots.
You might need patience the most. The plants will make lots of babies, and in 2-3 years from now your garden will fill up.
Are there seed exchanges in your area? In my town, they give away free seeds and seedlings for Earth day. Right now there's a program at the co-op where they give away tree seedlings.
U of MN bee law is a tested mix of fescue, clover, self-heal and creeping thyme. It's walkable, and bee friendly!
Twin City Seed Co. Bee Lawn Seed Mixture | Pollinator Friendly, Low Maintenance, Alternative Grass Seed | 99.9% Weed Free | No Noxious Weeds | Shade Tolerant | Sustainable & Resilient | 5 lb. Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZY5RT1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_237KXA2AZY39BN8E6J4K
UofMN bee lawn, if you're wanting an easy walkable, bee friendly patch.
Twin City Seed Co. Bee Lawn Seed Mixture | Pollinator Friendly, Low Maintenance, Alternative Grass Seed | 99.9% Weed Free | No Noxious Weeds | Shade Tolerant | Sustainable & Resilient | 5 lb. Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZY5RT1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_237KXA2AZY39BN8E6J4K
Personally, I keep the bindweed and the mallows because the ones I have are native here and support local wildlife. I would encourage you to find out what you have and whether it's native before killing it. It may feel like it's going crazy when you're trying to get rid of it, but you might find that when you stop caring, it only takes up a few small patches and doesn't grow much beyond that. If you're in the US, Wildflower.org has a good native plant search that will let you search by plant family or common name and filter by state.
If you still want to get rid of it, you can pull the young mallow plants every 2 weeks or so to prevent the tap root from growing too far to easily remove. There are also weeding tools that pierce the tap root and pull up most or all of the plant and root system. This is the one I have that I used to use on dandelions: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0197TS3IK/
Bindweed is typically perennial, and roots will often be too deep to pull, but you can kill it by persistently cutting it when you see it. You could also smother or mulch the area. I've heard you can plant taller plants to shade it out, but one of the species I have is thriving in full shade under trees, so I think that depends on what you have.
You could also spot treat with vinegar and salt, either with DIY recipes or a commercial product with higher concentrations of vinegar (household is 5%). Like Roundup, this may kill surrounding vegetation; however, it will disperse and degrade more quickly and without the runoff concerns.
U of MN bee lawn! Twin City Seed Co. Bee Lawn Seed Mixture | Pollinator Friendly, Low Maintenance, Alternative Grass Seed | 99.9% Weed Free | No Noxious Weeds | Shade Tolerant | Sustainable & Resilient | 5 lb. Bag https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08CZY5RT1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WS5R2QXCXVX2BA5YBM8A
The price of this seed has risen pretty fast this spring, so for an alternative you could make your own with a mix of fescue, creeping thyme and self heal.
I’m a relative newbie here, but but this is the white clover seed I picked up from Amazon.
I am very pleased with is so far (I’ve put down a bag in fall, and one in spring) and have another ready for the warmer/wetter weather.
We have a crap ton of clovers growing now, and all I did was overseed. Literally just used my hand and threw it up in the air to disperse it and let it hit the grass. Rain pushed it to soil level, and off it goes.
I hope it works for you as well.
Tick tubes, you can make them with cotton balls, paper towel rolls and permethrin. You can also buy them premade.
I can't help with the soil part - maybe put some leaves/mulch over it?
But last year I bought these seeds from Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RQKJAI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , planted some, and this year I see them coming out again in my garden!
I'm in zone 4a, less than 100 miles south of you.
I bought this last summer Seed Needs, Butterfly Attracting All Perennial Wildflower Mixture, 30,000 Seeds Bulk Package (99% Pure Live Seed) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005RQKJAI/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_JP64MBZT9RHFCN6Y6RGV?psc=1. Black-Eye Susan is dominant, but it's very pretty. I plan to plant them on a larger area of my garden, we'll see what happens. Those seeds are very good, they all sprouted.
I think I should be ok there I already have a good amount of local clover growing, and I purchased the same kind of seed for doing the whole lawn, along with some that has red flowers too...I got this , I have always trusted Scoots products https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J5H12CH/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o05\_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here’s a great resource.
Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest https://www.amazon.com/dp/0295744154
Can also stop by a specialized native plant nursery and pick their brain: https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/stewardship/nw-yard-and-garden/native-plant-nurseries-washington.aspx
I bought seed on Amazon! Excuse there ugly link below... We actually sold that house last fall, and I'm looking at trying micro clover at the new one since there is some grass here.
On my system, I came off of a 1" mainline to this... https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Bird-PRF07530S-Irrigation-Regulating/dp/B006JZ51MC/
You will want the filter for a drip system since the holes are so small in the various drip outlets.
Thank you. A lot of these method are talked in even greater detail in the book, Garden Revolution. For example, the authors tell you all about proper weed whacking techniques, lists of many good native plant choices based on soil types and zone, and many excellent, environmentally friendly tips for halting invasives from hurting your garden. A 10/10 book for me.