10 Steps to Wildlife Gardening with Native Plants

Why Native Plants?

Wildlife gardening with native plants offers a plethora of benefits for both you and the environment. It's a win-win.

Native Plant Benefits for Wildlife

• Food and shelter: Native plants provide crucial food sources like nectar, pollen, and fruits for pollinators, birds, and other animals. Their diverse structures offer shelter for nesting, hiding, and raising young.

• Habitat restoration: By fostering native species, you contribute to rebuilding fragmented ecosystems and increasing biodiversity. This creates a healthier, more resilient environment for all creatures.

• Reduced competition with non-native species: Invasive plants often outcompete native species, threatening biodiversity. Native plants create a natural balance, allowing native wildlife to thrive.

Native Plant Benefits for You

• Low-maintenance: Native plants are adapted to your local climate and soil, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. This saves you time, money, and resources.

• Beauty and diversity: Native gardens offer a vibrant display of colors, textures, and shapes, attracting butterflies, birds, and other creatures, making your space more beautiful and alive.

• Environmental benefits: Native plants help reduce soil erosion, filter pollutants from water, and promote healthy air quality, contributing to a cleaner environment.

• Educational opportunity: By nurturing native plants, you connect with the local ecosystem and learn about the delicate balance of nature.

Additional benefits:

• Pest control: By attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantises, native gardens can help control harmful pests naturally.

• Climate change resilience: Native plants are often more resistant to drought and other climate extremes, making your garden more sustainable.

Remember, even a small patch, porch or balcony with native plants can make a difference. 

Now that you understand the benefits of wildlife gardening with native plants, let's explore how to get started:

10 Steps to Wildlife Gardening with Native Plants

1. Research Your Local Ecosystem: Begin by researching the native plants and wildlife in your area. You can search native plants by zip code, or native plants by state. Identify which native species are suitable for your garden and the specific wildlife you want to attract.

2. Assess Your Garden's Conditions: Evaluate your garden's specific conditions, including sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels. This information will help you select native plants that will thrive in your garden.

3. Plan Your Garden Design: Consider the layout and design of your wildlife garden. Plan for a variety of plant types, including trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses. Diversity in plant selection will attract a broader range of wildlife. Note where you’ll place features like pathways or sitting areas. Remember, each of our collections come with a suggested design. 

4. Prepare Your Site: Before planting, prepare by removing any non-native plants and other weeds. Remove rocks from the soil that make digging difficult and outline garden beds and pathways with a garden hose before digging an edge to define them. 

5. Choose Native Plants: Select native plants that match your garden's conditions and design, like the amount of sunlight and water your chosen area receives. There are native plants that will thrive in just about any growing condition, from dry shade to full sun to wet soil. Choose species that provide nectar, seeds, berries, and foliage that wildlife can use as food throughout the seasons. 

6. Plant Carefully: Plant your native plants at the appropriate depth and spacing, following the planting instructions provided for each species. Consider the design and flow of your space. Use plants of varying height for more interest. Water them thoroughly after planting to help them establish their roots. If planting during hot season, be sure to water regularly for the first few weeks.

7. Mulch and Weed Control: Apply a layer of mulch around your native plants to help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a tidy appearance. Keep an eye on weeds and remove them promptly to prevent competition for resources. If you plant densely, eventually the native plants will fully cover the soil, suppressing weeds all on their own.

8. Water Wisely: During the establishment phase, water your native plants as needed to keep the soil consistently moist. Once they are established, reduce watering to a level that aligns with their specific needs and local rainfall patterns. In most cases, unless there’s a severe drought, you won’t need to water once your plants get established after a few months. If you received very little precipitation, drought tolerant native plants may be your best choice.

9. Provide Wildlife Features: Consider additions such as nesting boxes, or wildlife-friendly water features to enhance the really roll out the welcome mat!. These features can attract a wider range of birds and other creatures. If you have native plants and a water source like a bird bath, you're ready to apply to be a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.

10. Monitor and Maintain: Regularly monitor your wildlife garden for signs of wildlife activity, plant health, and potential issues. Keep a journal or take photographs to document the species you observe. Seasonal native plant care may include pruning, weeding, and replacing plants as needed.