How to Rewild Your Yard: Embrace Nature’s Beauty

Rewilding is a landscaping approach that focuses on restoring a piece of land to a more natural state. This means:

Using native plants: Species that have evolved in your local region

Creating habitats: Inviting birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial wildlife.

Reducing maintenance: Less mowing, watering, and fertilizing required.

Rewilding offers numerous benefits for both you and the environment:

Increased biodiversity: Rewilded spaces support diverse plant and animal life.

Enhanced ecosystem health: Stronger resilience against pests and diseases.

Reduced water use: Native plants are naturally adapted to your local climate.

Lower maintenance costs: Say goodbye to weekly mowing and fertilizing.

Pollinator support: Attract bees, butterflies, and birds which are crucial for healthy ecosystems.

Sense of peace and beauty: A wilder yard helps you connect with nature.

Assess your space: What kind of sunlight and soil conditions do you have?

Welcome wildlife: Provide natural food sources like berry-producing shrubs and seed-bearing flowers. Include water sources like birdbaths or shallow dishes.

Include pollinator favorites: Choose plants that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

Leave some areas untouched: Let some areas grow a little wild, with grasses, wildflowers, and a tangle of plants.

Create layers: Use a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers to provide diverse habitats.

Reduce or eliminate chemicals: Avoid pesticides and herbicides to protect pollinators and other beneficial creatures

Leave the leaves: Fallen leaves act as a natural mulch, suppressing weeds and enriching the soil.

Ditch the chemicals: Pesticides and herbicides harm beneficial insects and disrupt the ecosystem.

Create natural borders: Use logs, rocks, or native shrubs to define garden beds, adding structure and visual interest.

Choose native plants: Research plants that thrive in your region. Here are some popular choices: Wildflowers Black-eyed Susan’s, milkweed, coneflowers. Grasses Little bluestem, switchgrass Shrubs: Serviceberry, elderberry, viburnum 

Let it grow (a little): Resist the urge to overly tidy.

Mix and match: Create a diverse selection of plants for year-round interest.

Add features: Consider including ponds, birdhouses, or rock piles.

Rethink your lawn: If you have lawn space, consider reducing it in favor of native meadows or pollinator-friendly ground covers. If you keep the lawn, let it grow a little taller and mow it less frequently.

Start small: Begin with a section of your yard and expand over time

Connect with your community: See if there are local plant nurseries specializing in native plants or rewilding projects in your area for resources and inspiration.

Observe and adapt: Nature has its own rhythms. Pay attention to what thrives in your yard and adjust your plans accordingly.

Be okay with imperfection: Rewilding is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the beauty of nature’s resilience and adapt along the way.

Document your progress: Take photos throughout the process – you’ll be amazed at the transformation!

Example: Converting a Traditional Lawn into a Rewilded Space

Sheet mulching: Cover an area with cardboard and layers of organic material like compost and leaves to suppress weeds and create rich soil.

Plant native wildflowers and grasses: Sow seeds or plant plugs directly into your prepared area.

Include stepping stones or a winding path: Create access through your rewilded meadow.

Add focal points: Plant a flowering native tree or place a natural element like a large rock to add visual interest.

Embrace the process: Nature takes time; enjoy watching your yard evolve.

Be patient: It may take a few seasons for your rewilded space to fully flourish.

Remember, rewilding is an ongoing process and the most important thing is to have fun and connect with the natural rhythms of your outdoor space!