Turning dirt into a dream yard

[Ajebtoo_]

We're about to make an offer on our first home, and I can't stop picturing what I'll do with the backyard. It's mostly dirt from years of kids, dogs, and trampolines but to me, it's full of potential. I'm thinking of starting with native Rhode Island grasses, then slowly adding ground cover, blueberries, and milkweed. I am curious about clover too though I've read it might be invasive....total beginner here, so any tips are welcome

 

[EarthMagnet]

Wow, that's exciting! Congratulations on the big move!
Starting with native Rhode Island grasses is a fantastic approach for building a healthy foundation, and blueberries and milkweed are also excellent choices!
Clover can be quite assertive, especially if you're aiming for a diverse native garden, so you might consider other native ground covers.
For shady spots, look into wild ginger or foamflower, or perhaps some of the native sedges for sunnier areas.

 

[Ajebtoo_]

Thanks so much, I love the idea of wild ginger and foamflower for shade, and native sedges for sun. I'll research those and take it slow with clover