Re-Wilding
Lawn rewilding means taking your yard to a more natural state by providing the tools nature needs to survive.
Re-Wilding offers all the benefits of the other
techniques offered, plus it’s easier on the earth,
easier on your back, and brings you closer to our
natural world by providing a friendly haven for animals
and insects.
Bring your patch of earth to its’ basic state. In the fall,
or Spring cover your grass with newspaper or
cardboard (remove all tape and labels). Batten
it down with rocks or whatever is available. In the
Spring or Fall, voila’, you will have soil. In eastern Massachusetts you can enhance that soil by ordering compost, a soil blend, and/or leaf mulch by the yard, that will be delivered to you. Black Earth https://blackearthcompost.com/ also picks up your compostables weekly for a humble fee.
Next think about who you want to attract? Monarchs? Birds? Bees? Humming Birds? Caterpillars? Bunnies?
Foxes (good to have during a bunny infestations)! Then look at what plants attract them through a simple
internet search.
If you can evaluate the approximate amount of sun, type of soil and moisture level in your space, you have a starting point to figure out what might grow.
For rewilding your garden in Massachusetts, consider native wildflowers and species suited. to the local climate, which can be found in specialized mixes or individual seed packets.
Some common examples include purple coneflower, black-eyed susan, and wild lupine. For wetter areas, options like swamp milkweed and blue vervainare is recommended.
Growing native trees, if you have the space, has a huge positive impact..
Finding the appropriate seeds and plants:
https://www.gardenia.net/native-plants/massachusetts
https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/yards-and-gardens
Embrace Mistakes: We have all accidentally introduced an invasive! “Oh, try this. It is a great ground cover."
These are famous last words, before something starts to invade your entire garden. All one can do is either cover the area with something that will allow no sunlight or water in, or copiously dig it out, esspecialy at the start of your gardening season.
North Shore of Boston, Rewinding Support: www.wildgardensllc.org
Join a growing movement with Home Grown National Parks:
https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Create-and-Certify
It might require an adjustment to your esthetics. This not a garden choice for someone who loves topiary or British royal gardens. It is not linear or tidy, but quite beautiful and enormously beneficial.
