Sustainable Garden Resources and Frequently Asked Questions
This page is not current — please go rewildlongisland.org/resources for our most updated page.
We are often asked to help new and experienced rewilders with their gardens. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. We will try to keep these updated, but if you notice errors, please do let us know!
Basics of Native Plant Gardening
How to prepare your lawn for conversion with cardboard and Mulch: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/prepare-for-spring-cardboard-and-mulch
Create a pollinator friendly garden : https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/create-a-pollinator-friendly-garden-talk-by-kimberly-simmen
How to maintain a native plant garden : https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/free-public-webinar-maintenance-for-a-weed-free-and-vibrant-native-garden
22 interesting native plants -- https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/22-native-plants-for-2022-how-to-prep-this-fall-for-next-spring
TLC for Native Plant Gardens: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/tlc-for-native-plants-how-to-maintain-your-garden
Garden designs with Native Plants
Bee and Butterly friendly garden: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/rewild-bee-and-butterfly-showy-sun-design-by-rusty-schmidt
Shade Tolerant Garden: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/rewild-bee-and-butterfly-showy-sun-design-by-rusty-schmidt-bg8nd
Wildflower Meadow; https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/rewild-wildflower-meadow-by-kimberly-simmen
Edible Garden: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/rewild-wildflower-meadow-by-kimberly-simmen-lh245
22 Great Native Plants: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/22-native-plants-for-2022-how-to-prep-this-fall-for-next-spring
Other People’s EXPERIENCES
Replace your lawn grass with Phlox: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/cut-the-grass-phlox-as-an-altnerative-for-the-median-strip-
Replace your lawn with creeping thyme: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/its-about-thyme-get-rid-of-that-lawn
Louisa's story of lawn to garden : https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/louisa-chan-first-time-rewilding-story
Janine's backyard native garden project: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/backyard-transformation-with-pond-and-native-garden
Labor of Love in Margaret's tiny front yard : https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/labor-of-love-margaret-and-charlie-on-their-first-rewilding-experience
Peggy's Bird Friendly Front Lawn Conversion: 10 years and not done! https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/peggys-project-10-years-and-not-done
Robert's mixed results on Rewilding: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/mixed-results-on-rewilding-by-robert-walzer
Hooked on ReWilding : Joanne's Story: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/hooked-on-rewilding-joannes-story
WHAT ARE SOME GROUNDCOVER ALTERNATIVES TO LAWNS?
No-Mow Grass Seed from Prairie Nursery. This has not worked well for any of us so far, so please let us know if you’re successful. https://www.prairienursery.com/no-mow-lawn/no-mow-lawn-seed-mixes.html
Creeping Thyme: Here is a blog post on how a local rewilder succeeded with Thyme. But note that it’s not native to Long Island (though an environmentally option).
Creeping Phlox: Here is a blog post on how a local rewilder succeeded with creeping phlox. This is native to Long Island and an excellent option!
You can search for these online … or at the ReWild Spring and Fall plant sales.
HOW DO I LABEL PLANTS TO REMEMBER WHAT I PLANTED WHERE?
Label Stand we have used before: Garden-Mate 50 Pack Weatherproof Large Zinc Meta Plant Labels
Printing Labels using Avery online tool: https://www.avery.com/custom-printing/labels/calculator/rectangle
Choose…Custom printed labels
Format: Sheet labels
Shape: Rectangle
Size:1 x 2 5/8
Material: Matte White Film
Label Quantity & Price (I chose two sheets of 24, total amount 48 labels for $14.00)
Then click “Start Designing”
Select “Edit All” first, designed one label which came out on all 24 labels, then edited the name of the plant and the image for each label.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT SMART IRRIGATION?
Watch the Port Washington Water District Smart Irrigation Video. For customers of the Port Washington Water District you can get a $150 rebate as well: https://pwwd.org/conservation/smart-irrigation-video/ (if the promotion is still on!)
HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH THE BOKASHI METHOD OF COMPOSTING?
ReWild Long Island Blog post about the Bokashi Composting method
HOW DO YOU CREATE A “CATIO”?
In one of the gardens, you may have noticed a beautiful, outdoor space for cats. Here is more information about the “catio”. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gc5zXyGLbmaRsRwMs5RDrdDWrDq-9E5-/edit
WHERE DID WE GET THE ITEMS THAT YOU SAW AT VARIOUS HOST GARDENS on a Rewild sustainable garden tour?
Rain Barrel
Discounted rain barrels and composters from the Town of North Hempstead (For residents only): https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/rbandcompost
Also, many available on the internet including Gardener’s Supply Rain Water Urn, 65 Gallons in Terra Cotta: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/rain-catcher-urn-65-gallon/38-683.html
Fountains
Many available on the internet — the one on display at one of the hosts was the floating solar powered birdbath fountain from Amazon.
Many available for purchase at Heritage Farm and Garden, Muttontown, NY, including a small concrete water fountain with electric pump.
Raised Garden Bed on Wheels
Many available on the internet — the one on display at one of the hosts was the 5 Tier Vertical Raised Garden Bed with Wheels, for Patio Balcony Greenhouse from Walmart.com
“Pop-up” greenhouse
Many available on the internet — the one on display at one of the hosts was the Sunbubble Greenhouse from Gardener’s Supply
Where can I get Native Plants
ReWild Spring and Fall Plant Sales -- www.rewildlongisland.org/plantsale. Register for our mailing list to be notified. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
Kimberly Simmen of KMS Natives, kmsnativeplants@gmail.com - https://www.kmsnativeplants.com
Anthony Marinello of Dropseed Native Landscapes anthony@dropseednativelandscapesli.com
Can someone help me do it? I can't figure this out myself!
Native Plant Landscape Consultants - Try out more than one, and always understand that your experience may be unique
a. Anthony Marinello of Dropseed Native Landscapes anthony@dropseednativelandscapesli.com
b. Daniel Tyska, Tyska Native Plants & Consulting, dttyska@outlook.com
c. Frank Piccininni of Spadefoot Design, fpiccininni@smpilconsulting.com
d. Mark Scaramucci at Permascape designs m.scaramucci@gmail.com
e. Rebecca Vargas, independent consultant peacefulplantdesigns@gmail.com
f. Rusty Schmidt at Nelson Pope Vorhees RSchmidt@nelsonpope.com