You don’t need acres of land to create a positive impact on the environment – all you need is a single garden bed, boulevard strip, or backyard corner to build an impactful habitat for wildlife. You also don’t need to be a restoration professional, just someone who wants to support pollinators, conserve water, and reconnect with nature.
At any scale, native plants have the power to support ecosystem health. Even small pockets of native plants provide food, shelter and nesting sites for birds, pollinators and other insects. The long root systems of native plants also help absorb stormwater and reduce run-off in urban areas.
An important aspect of planting these small patches of pollinator habitat is, in doing so, you are creating “pollinator highways” through our urban areas. America’s obsession with the monoculture, mowed, and ‘ecologically dead’ lawn has made much of our urban areas a dead zone for pollinators. By creating these mini-gardens, we are giving pollinators and other species a place to feed, rest, and live amongst our concrete streets and herbicide-laden lawns.
We encourage you to give attention to the overlooked spaces of your yard: the boulevard strip (if local ordinances allow), sunny corners, along fences, spots where water naturally collects, edges of vegetable gardens, or even container plantings on patios. If you have any lawn that you think would look better as a beneficial layered habitat buzzing with life, this is the perfect condition for planting some natives! Your next step will be to find the native plant species that are suited to your new planting location. Presto can help you make the right decisions – simply answer some questions about your site and receive a customized list of native species that will thrive.
Keep it simple and intentional first. Start with a small area – even a 4×6-foot area can host dozens of species. Use a variety of grasses and forbs to create a more diverse, balanced habitat. The more native plant species you can add, the more native insect and animal species you are able to attract. Presto can also help you choose for bloom color, height, or seasonality to give your space a personal touch.
Your new pollinator patch will take a small amount of maintenance in the beginning, but from year to year you will see it evolve and grow into something with undeniable ecological benefits. Read our blog here about how prairies evolve and what to expect year-to-year (you can think of this, but on a smaller scale): How Long Does it Take to Establish a Prairie? Avoid fertilizing or frequent watering to let your native plants establish naturally. Also, be sure to let your native plants stand throughout the winter to provide habitat for any overwintering critters. With a bit of care and patience, your project will thrive.
Every square foot of native planting adds up – one yard, one boulevard, one patch at a time. Whether you’re restoring an acre or rethinking your backyard, you’re helping rebuild the ecosystem that once thrived here.
Discover what native plants belong in your space with Presto – and watch your micro habitat come to life.