Apply for Lawns to Legumes Assistance

Minnesota residents are eligible to apply for Lawns to Legumes cost-share funding of up to $400 to create pollinator habitat in their yards. Applications will be chosen through a randomized drawing, though priority will be given to projects within higher priority areas (see priority map), and to equitable geographic distribution.

The application deadline for the Spring 2024 Lawns to Legumes Individual Support program is November 30. Grant recipients will be notified in mid-December. Any applications submitted on August 22, 2022 or later that were not previously awarded a grant will remain in consideration for Spring 2024 funding, and do not need to be resubmitted.

*Please note that applying for Lawns to Legumes cost-share funding does not guarantee you will receive funding. If your application is awarded funding, it will be in the form of reimbursement. We will work with awardees unable to afford the upfront cost of a project to find a way to still participate in the program.

Lawns to Legumes provides many free helpful resources on creating pollinator habitat. You can check our Lawns to Legumes page and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources website. You will find information on projects like pocket gardens, pollinator lawns, and meadows and planting trees and shrubs for pollinators, how to design your project, and more.

Lawns to Legumes comes through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Blue Thumb is BWSR’s partner for the individual support part of the program.

Apply for Lawns to Legumes Assistance

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First Last

Address*

Unless otherwise noted below, this is the location of your project. Only one application will be considered for each discrete mailing address.

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

I am the property...*

Owner

Renter

I have permission from the property owner to install pollinator habitat.*

Yes

Primary Phone*

Email*

This is the primary method we will communicate with you, and where a confirmation of your application will be sent. If you are selected as a grant recipient, you will be notified through email—and be given a couple weeks to respond—to confirm your participation, before the grant is offered to someone else.

Enter Email Confirm Email

Location of Planting

Same as above

Different location

What county is the project in?*

Enter the location of planting:*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

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Planting Type

Please note the type of project(s) you are planning. This can be added later if you don’t know at this time.

Native Pocket Planting: small native plant garden including flowers preferred by our state bee.

Pollinator Beneficial Trees and/or Shrubs: Flowering trees and shrubs with quality nectar and pollen for bees in the spring.

Pollinator Lawn: A fine fescue lawn mixed with low-growing flowers to support pollinators.

Pollinator Meadow: a relatively large expanse of native plants, reminiscent of a prairie remnant.

Planting Types
Please note the types of projects that can be reimbursed through the Lawns to Legumes program.
Native Pocket Planting: small native plant garden including flowers preferred by our state bee.
Pollinator Beneficial Trees and/or Shrubs: Flowering trees and shrubs with quality nectar and pollen for bees in the spring.
Pollinator Lawn: A fine fescue lawn mixed with low-growing flowers to support pollinators.
Pollinator Meadow: a relatively large expanse of native plants, reminiscent of a prairie remnant.

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Technical Guidance

Please note the type of technical guidance to be used for your project. This can be added later if you don’t know at this time. All grant recipients will be asked to attend a workshop or complete a webinar.

Lawns to Legumes Habitat Guide

BWSR Pollinator Planting Templates

Blue Thumb Turf Alternatives Fact Sheets

Metro Blooms Planting Templates

A separate planting plan will be developed

Technical Guidance
Please note the availability of technical guidance that is accessible to all. All grant recipients will be asked to attend a workshop or complete a webinar.
Lawns to Legumes Habitat Guide
BWSR Pollinator Planting Templates
Blue Thumb Turf Alternatives Fact Sheets
Metro Blooms Planting Templates

Would you like to hear more from us?

Lawns to Legumes and Blue Thumb are managed by the non-profit Metro Blooms. In addition to receiving Lawns to Legumes program updates and reminders, you can opt in to receive Metro Blooms' monthly newsletter, and occasional notifications about relevant events and activities. We do not sell or exchange email addresses with anyone outside of our organization, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Share Information

Check this box if you would like your contact information to be shared with local conservation or watershed districts who may be able to provide additional technical assistance or provide additional matches for projects.

Please share my contact information

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Resident Agreements

The following are requirements of the Lawns to Legumes program. Please read through and check each "I agree" or "I understand" box below.

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Match Requirement*

I Agree to provide at least a 25% match for any funding received. This match can be in the form of purchasing materials, hiring contractors or as in-kind time spent planting or maintaining plants (at $25/hr). I will document this match as part of my project and expense reporting.

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Timeline*

I Understand that if I am offered and accept a grant, my project installation will need to be completed by the deadline specified in my grant notification, to allow time for final grant reporting before the end of the grant period.

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Maintenance Period*

I Agree my project will be maintained for a minimum of 3 years. I will notify Blue Thumb in the event that the property is sold in that time, and will facilitate communication between Blue Thumb and the purchaser of the property to help ensure continued maintenance and function of the project.

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Project Type Limitations*

I Understand eligible project types are limited to “Native Pocket Plantings”, “Pollinator Beneficial Trees and Shrubs”, “Pollinator Lawns” and “Pollinator Meadows”. Each is highlighted in the program habitat guide and its appendixes. Due to their simplicity, native pocket plantings may be the best option for many landowners.

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Local Restrictions*

I Agree to ensure my project abides by local laws and ordinances. For example, if I intend to plant in a boulevard, I will follow my city guidelines, including applying for any necessary permit(s) and keeping my planting within height requirements.

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Locally Sourced, Neonicotinoid-free Native Plants*

I Agree to source my native plants and seeds from within 175 miles of my location to the extent possible, and any plants must be neonicotinoid (systemic pesticide) free. This website shows many nurseries in Minnesota that have plants that meet this criteria. The Minnesota DNR also has a list of native plant vendors (it is important to check with any vendor to ensure that their plants are neonicotinoid free).

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Scattered Bloom Times*

I Agree my project plantings will have at least three blooming species during spring, summer and fall to the extent possible, with higher diversity encouraged. Use of species beneficial to the Rusty Patched Bumblebee are encouraged, including: Monarda species, Liatris, Giant hyssop, Prairie Clover, Penstemon, Columbine, Mints, Asters and Goldenrods. Some non-native species can be used for pollinator lawn projects, including fescue grasses, white clover, alsike clover, heal-all, and creeping thyme but should be avoided near natural areas. Native species are also encouraged for pollinator lawns. Flowering trees and shrubs that provide early season floral resources and nesting resources are also eligible for funding, such as Serviceberry, Plums, Cherries, Currants, Willows and Cranberries.

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Eligible Expenses for Reimbursement*

I Understand eligible expenses for reimbursement include native plants (with a few exceptions including eligible cultivars for trees/shrubs and pollinator lawn species), compost, mulch, edging, contractor installation or DIY equipment rental, delivery fees, contractor maintenance through grant time period and, for renters, planters and raised bed materials (up to $100). Only eligible purchases made after I am notified of being awarded a grant are able to be reimbursed.

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Project Reporting Requirement*

I Understand project reporting will be required for reimbursement, and will be accomplished by identifying the project location on an interactive map, and uploading receipts, match documentation, project size information, and before and after pictures to the Blue Thumb website. Only purchases made after receiving the grant are eligible for reimbursement.

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Workshop or Webinar Requirement*

I Agree to attend a workshop or complete a webinar if awarded funding, in order to better ensure the success of my project.

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Available Technical Resources*

I Understand the technical resources available. A habitat guide and planting templates are available. Additional design assistance from conservation partners or contractors may be available depending on the scope of the project. Landowners are responsible for any costs associated with project design. More resources include BWSR’s Pollinator Toolbox as well as Xerces Society resources, and Blue Thumb turf alternative resources for additional design guidance. For additional public outreach tools see BWSR’s brochure on “Protecting Minnesota’s Pollinators”, fact sheet on ”How You Can Help Pollinators”, and Featured Plant Articles that include eighty species benefitting pollinators.

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Pesticide Free*

I Understand my project must be located in an area free from pesticides to every extent possible. I will not apply pesticides to my project, or allow anyone else to do so.

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Signage*

I Understand signage will be provided for all projects that receive individual support, and will be mailed after projects are reported online.

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Project Monitoring*

I Agree my project may be monitored by Blue Thumb within the lifespan of the project, with prior notice to the landowner.

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Maintenance Commitment*

I Agree to plan for and follow through on the maintenance of my project. Maintenance is not always considered during the planning phase. Lack of maintenance often leads to complaints that projects appear “unkempt.” Unfortunately, this can harm the image of the project in the public’s mind and defeat the purpose of utilizing the newly planted project as a community beautification and learning tool.

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Watering Commitment*

I Agree to ensure my planting receives 1 inch of water twice a week. Thereafter and continuing for the next two years, plants should receive 1 inch of water each week. In times of drought, water garden as necessary. After the first two years, plants will be established and able to withstand drought on their own.

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Weeding Commitment*

I Agree to ensure my planting is periodically weeded. Weeding should occur at least three times per year: in the spring, mid-summer, and early fall. Pollinator lawns can also be mowed to control weeds.

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Email Communication Commitment*

I Confirm the email address I've provided is valid and in use. I understand that important program communication, including a notification of award if I am selected for the grant will be sent to this email address, and I am responsible for reading and responding (if requested) to emails sent to me in a timely manner. I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in removal from the program.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.