Planting native plants is just one step in the restoration of a native habitat that supports pollinators, wildlife, and the local food web. Some of these are truly challenging, especially in a small urban yard, but I assure you they are possible.

Skip the spring garden cleanup. Leave last years stems and leaves.

Zero pesticides.

Zero herbicides.

Zero chemical fertilizers.

Reduce your lawn. Replace a section of turf grass with native plants.

Fill planting voids with native plants instead of mulch. Don’t forget the grasses and sedges!

Remove invasive plants.

Replace ornamental \ exotic plants with native plants.

Fill gaps in your blooming schedule by planting natives that bloom March – October.

Plant a native tree.

Plant a native shrub.

Start \ maintain a compost pile \ bin to compost your kitchen scraps and yard waste.

Create a new wildlife habitat. (brush pile, rock pile, water feature, log, birdhouse, etc.)

Install or maintain a rain barrel.

Leave the leaves.