• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Go Native: Planting Backyard Habitats

I’m trying very hard to pretend that winter is over, and I’m eager to get outside with the kids and dig into the earth.  I’m poring over the plant and seed catalogs that I’ve discovered in my mailbox these past few weeks.  But things are a little different for me this year; while in years past I’ve opted for plants both showy and exotic, this year I’m going native.

Landscaping with native plants, according to Doug Tallamy in his book Bringing Nature Home, is crucial to the diversity and survival of the wildlife within our ecosystem:

“Unless we modify the places we live, work and play to meet not only our own needs but the needs of other species as well, nearly all species of wildlife native to the United States will disappear forever. This is not speculation…. It is playing out across the country and the planet as I write.”

Doug Tallamy points out that to support our ecosystems and our wildlife, it is important to be mindful of what we choose to plant in our backyards and neighborhoods. Simply put, some plants are more ecologically responsible than others. 

Native plants are preferred over alien plants, because our insects have evolved over long periods of time to be able to process the chemical makeups specific to those plants. In fact, many ornamental exotics are marketed as “pest-free” for that reason: they are not palatable to our native insects.

However, as biologist E.O. Wilson said, insects are the “little things that run the world.”  We should aim to support as many native insects as we can when we plan our gardens. Yes, that’s right; we want more bugs in our garden.  Since so many animals rely on insects as their diet (some directly, like birds and their young; some indirectly, like foxes that consume small insect-eating mammals), the health and breadth of native insect populations are closely linked to the health and diversity of our surrounding wildlife.

In addition, we should take care to support different stages of insect development. The popular butterfly bush, for example, provides nectar for adult butterflies, but not a single North American butterfly species can use this invasive plant as a larval host. Better choices for butterfly gardens include milkweeds, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, buttonbush, Joe-Pye weed, violets, Virginia creeper, and spicebush.

Recent studies confirm that native landscapes attract more birds, and more bird species, than traditional landscaping.  Last year I saw my first bluebirds, hummingbirds, and scarlet tanagers; I can’t wait to see what new species this year will bring!

Another important incentive to native plantings, in my mind, is that they are adapted to my area, and should require less attention and care. 

Other ways to encourage insect populations (and therefore all aspects of your backyard habitat):

  • Remove invasive plants, which crowd out desirable native plants
  • Reduce lawn areas, and plant more trees
  • Plant densely to provide cover
  • Do not remove leaf litter; it provides habitat, acts as mulch and weed suppressor, and soaks up water
  • Plant with complexity and diversity as your goal.  The more complex and diverse your plantings, the more complex and diverse an ecosystem you are able to support.

Be sure to take this time gardening with your kids to teach them about the interconnectedness of all things, and how small actions can have a large impact!

Photo Credit: simplegreenorganichappy under Creative Commons
 

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« A Review of the Eco-Positive Children's Book: The Legend of Honey Hollow
Two Green Books: Not Just For Parents »

Comments

  1. KiwiLog says

    February 25, 2009 at 7:17 am

    What an exciting post! We’ll definitely be checking out this book.

    Reply
  2. Marilyn says

    February 25, 2009 at 7:37 am

    Great post! One of my goals for the next several years is to turn my lawn space into a natural habitat that is attractive to birds, bees, and snakes.

    Reply
  3. Katherine says

    February 25, 2009 at 11:55 am

    Great post! I totally agree that we should provide and plant eco systems that encourage native plant and animal species to thrive.

    Reply
  4. Bethe says

    April 22, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Great post, and such an important topic!

    I like eNature’s native & Invasive Plant Guide:
    http://enature.com/native_invasive/

    Here’s a post on school gardens you might be interested in:
    http://grassstainguru.com/2009/03/30/growing-young-minds-in-school-gardens/

    Cheers- Bethe @balmeras

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Go Native With Plants | EcoSilly says:
    February 25, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    […] are planning a vegetable garden, flower garden, or just some yard improvements, it is important to consider native plants. Native plants, or with vegetables, varieties best for your area, are more suited to your natural […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

AspenClean: Premier Cleaning Products & Service for the Eco-Conscious

Naturally Clean Appliances with PurTru All-Natural Cleaners

More from the archives!

The low down on Fluoride: Cavity Prevention, Low IQ, Drinking Water

Swimming Pools, Chlorine and Asthma – What’s The Connection?

Kids Favorite (Gluten Free) Recipe with Nature's Path Cereal

Children living near major roads at greater risk for ADHD from air pollution

Fleurville Bags: Eco-friendly, Family-friendly…and Sexy?!

Vegan Creamy Cauliflower Tahini Bisque

Uniquely Scented, Soothing Hand Sanitizer with Integrity: New Vegan PlaneAire Hands with Aloe and Green Tea

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Dear President Bush: Thank You For Screwing Over My Kids

Kid-Friendly, Organic, Vegetarian Recipes: Wild Berry Crisp

"Breast Milk Satisfies" Billboards Appear in Northern Ohio

TV Increases Risk of Depression; Exercise Makes Us Happy

It's Time to Make a Call for Peace

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

What Makes a Mattress Eco-Friendly? Naturepedic Review

Founding Organization of Sesame Street Calls for a Revitalized Children’s Television Act

Folk Art Eco-Friendly Lunch Pack: Organic Cotton and Bamboo From Print*Pattern*Paper

10 Eco-Friendly Toys Under $30

5 Ways To Cut Down On The Sugar This Halloween

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.