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)

• Westchester County Recommended Native Tree List

• *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.

  • A Guide to Landscaping with Native Plants in Northern New Jersey

  • Gardening with climate-smart native plants in the Northeast

  • Native Garden Designs from Wild Ones
     

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?

• Video: Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann explain how to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes in sustainable ways

• Neonic pesticides — Please learn about them and totally avoid using them on your yard

We have a problem with Deer. What can I do?

• Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance (Rutgers NJAES)

HOW DO I LABEL PLANTS TO REMEMBER WHAT I PLANTED WHERE?

1. Label Stand we have used before: Garden-Mate 50 Pack Weatherproof Large Zinc Meta Plant Labels

2. 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?

1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. “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.com

• David Jakim of Botanical Biodiversity and Education Services
  david.jakim@gmail.com

• Frank Piccininni of Spadefoot Design, fpiccininni@smpilconsulting.com

• Ken Maxwell of Green Surf Design
  info@greensurfdesign.com 

• Mark Scaramucci at Permascape Designs
  m.scaramucci@gmail.com

• More 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?

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.

The Audubon Society maintains a wonderful database of plants with information on their habits and the wildlife they support.

cornell co-operative extension