I have been maintaining a natural yard for several years - some vegetables, but mostly native wildflowers and Xerces pollinator wildflowers.

When I first moved to Pepperell 26 years ago, I wanted the landscape of my childhood! Ornamental shrubs, turf lawn, a mimosa tree!

But, I like to think I have come to my senses and now I let my senses rule. My few swaths of grass are flanked by big islands of velvety, emerald colored moss which stay surprisingly jewel-like in color even during the winter,

Being next to the woods, every spring, Lady Slippers poke their pretty heads out of the fallen leaves, and jack-in-the-pulpits and Solomon's seal sprout their interesting leaves. 

My hillside is covered with sweet fern, with an understory of sassafras close by, under beautiful oaks. I've planted lungwort and Virginia bluebells, and common wild strawberry.

There's much I'd like to tell you about!

Original house had 2000 sq ft house with NG forced hot air heating system, with no A/C.   Home also contains a roof mounted 9.0 kW DC PV system, operating under a purchased power agreement (PPA).   PV system generates electricity at 50% of the cost of National Grid deliverd cost.   The original heating system was 30+ years old and ready for replacement.   Decided on replacing unit with a Whole Home Heat Pump utilizing the $10,000 rebate available from National Grid.    Thus solution provide for a combination of heating and cooling while utilizing the existing central duct which dramatically reducing my annual CO2 footprint as most electricity is netting out through the PV system.