Welcome to Native Gardening

Do you have a spot where you can plant a few native species? Or maybe an older plant in your landscape is struggling or on its way out? Start there. Consider choosing keystone flowering or woody plants, as they have a significant ecological impact compared to other natives.

If you're ready to reduce your lawn space, start by creating a game plan. You don’t need to be an artist—grab your computer to research plant types, and use pencil and paper to sketch out your yard. If you’re struggling to visualize, lay a hose along the future garden's border to help.

To kill grass, we recommend laying down a generously overlapping layer of cardboard, followed by a thin layer of compost and some form of mulch. In the heat of summer, you could be planting within six weeks; in winter, it might take three months to kill all undergrowth. Learn more about the cardboard method here. If you need to plant sooner, consider renting a cultivator or tiller to remove the grass. However, be aware that tilling may leave the seed bank intact, leading to more weeds compared to the cardboard method.

Also consider that not all lawn grasses are without value — especially the Louisiana-native St. Augustine grass. Read more here: Kill Your Lawn…Maybe Better, Just Kill Your Lawn Practices.

Becoming part of a community of like-minded individuals is one of the best ways to learn and stay inspired, no matter where you are on your journey. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned landscaper, you’re welcome to be a part of our group as we regularly gather to exchange seeds and plants, while sharing knowledge and raising awareness about native plants with one another and the broader community.