FAQ and Resources
We are often asked to help new and experienced rewilders with their gardens. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. We will keep these updated, but if you notice errors, please do let us know!
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How do I Get Started on rewilding my yard?
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
Where can I find Plants that are native to my yard?
Comprehensive Native Plant Resources
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/
The Biota of North America Program: http://www.bonap.org
New York Plant Atlas: https://newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu
Bee and Butterly friendly garden: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/rewild-bee-and-butterfly-showy-sun-design-by-rusty-schmidt
Where can I find garden design ideas?
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
School Garden: Garden Obstacles: Native Plants for the School Year Garden (kmsnativeplants.com)
*Warning : OUT OF STATE Resources - Please be sure to check the plant is native to our eco-type and will work with the sun/soil/water in your yard before you proceed.
OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES: What can I learn works and does not?
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!
There are cold season fescues that are sold as “no mow” grasses, but frankly we have found them finicky. If you find success with them, please reach out and let us know.
You can search for these online … or at the ReWild Spring and Fall plant sales.
what are some alternatives to spraying? How do I control Ticks and Mosquitoes? Is spraying ok?
We have a problem with Deer. What can I do?
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 CAN I PARTICIPATE IN A FOOD SCRAP TO COMPOST PROGRAM OR HELP START ONE IN MY COMMUNITY?
Learn how you can participate in East Hampton Compost, a collaboration between ReWild Long Island and the Town of East Hampton, NY, or find out how to you might start one in your community at EastHamptonCompost.org
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. They all offer different services, and are presented in alphabetical order of first name.
Anthony Marinello of Dropseed Native Landscapes anthony@dropseednativelandscapesli.com
Daniel Tyska, Tyska Native Plants & Consulting
dttyska@outlook.comDavid Jakim of Botanical Biodiversity and Education Services
david.jakim@gmail.comFrank Piccininni of Spadefoot Design, fpiccininni@smpilconsulting.com
Ken Maxwell of Green Surf Design
info@greensurfdesign.comMark Scaramucci at Permascape Designs
m.scaramucci@gmail.comMore than Gardens
Agatha Martello <agatha@morethangardens.com>Rebecca Vargas, independent consultant peacefulplantdesigns@gmail.com
Rusty Schmidt at Nelson Pope Voorhis
RSchmidt@nelsonpope.com
What are some good books on sustainable landscaping, native plants and rewilding?
Podcast recommendations from the ReWild Community
Margaret Roach A Way to Garden: my weekly radio show & podcast - A Way To Garden
Cultivating Place with Jennifer Jewel: CULTIVATING PLACE | JEWELLGARDEN
Native Plants Healthy Planet by Pinelands Nursery in NJ Native Plants, Healthy Planet - Bleav
Benjamin Vogt’s Monarch Gardens What We Believe Monarch Gardens - Monarch Gardens
Growing Greener by Christopher Thomas Growing Greener (thomaschristophergardens.com)
Completely Arbortrary - Completely Arbortrary (arbortrarypod.com)
Jumpstart Nature Jumpstart Nature – Our Mission is to Catalyze Everyone to Make a Difference for the Environment
In Defense of Plants In Defense of Plants
Grow it Build it website and YouTube videos GrowIt BuildIT – All things Gardening, Native Plants, Flowers, DIY & Decor.
Poor Proles podcast The Poor Prole's Almanac (poorproles.com)
Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't (crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com)
Joe Gardener https://joegardener.com/podcasts/
Andrew Millison (YouTube) permaculture: Andrew Millison - YouTube
Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia: Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia - YouTube
Zen mountain monastery podcast: The Zen Mountain Monastery Podcast – Zen Mountain Monastery (zmm.org)
Some excellent websites
Please be sure to check the plant is native to our eco-type and will work with the sun/soil/water in your yard before you proceed.
deep roots guide to planting a native yard
Deep Root’s mission is to encourage the appreciation, conservation, and use of native plants in the heartland through educating, collaborating, and facilitating the planting of regenerative native landscapes that are essential for a healthy planet. Please note that while most of their techniques are relevant in your yard, it is good to validate that their species are native to your area, and more important, find a local source for seeds and plants.
find plants native to your area
The Audubon Society maintains a wonderful database of plants with information on their habits and the wildlife they support.
bringing nature home
A wonderful website on the benefits of native plant gardening by University of Delaware professor Doug Tallamy. He has a great section on finding plants native to your area. Check out Prof. Tallamy’s wonderful website “Bringing Nature Home” to learn the value of native plants.
cornell co-operative extension
Cornell's home gardening website has links to excellent resources, including Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners, deer resistant plants, composting information, Vegetable Disease Factsheets, and -to growing guides for more than 50 different vegetables.
long island native plant initiative (LINPI)
LINPI is an all-volunteer cooperative effort that aims to protect the genetic integrity and heritage of Long Island native plant populations by establishing commercial sources of genetically appropriate local (ecotypic) plant materials for use in nursery, landscaping, and habitat restoration activities.
lawn to WIldflowers
Lawn to Wildflowers helps people create habitats for these helpful insects by turning turf grass lawns into native wildflower plots. Our mobile app makes it easy to create wildflower habitats and collect data on pollinator abundance and diversity. As a public scientist, your participation will not only make your local landscape more beautiful, but also give bees and butterflies a place to thrive.