ReWilding is a big buzz word in the horticultural world right now. But what does it mean for you and your garden?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, ReWilding is to restore an area of land to its natural uncultivated state, used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animal that have been driven out or exterminated. To put it simply, you are inviting wildlife in and transforming your property to more of its natural state in the process.

Yes, that means I have to deal with the depredations of squirrels, bunnies, and ground hogs, but I have learned to live with it by putting up sturdy fences around my vegetable garden. I have learned to coexist!

Douglas Tallamy, world renowned and influential ecologist/etymologist, urges Americans to go native and go natural.  Many people shorten this and call it ‘ReWilding’.  For a great article on his philosophy, read  all about him in the Smithsonian magazine.  For tips on ReWilding your own garden and making your corner of the world a better place, read on.

What is ReWilding?

ReWilding, returning your landscape back to nature, is possible for even the most urban of environments. Stepping back and allowing natural processes to occur – in these actions, reducing management of your yard – you can encourage wild plants, animals, and insects to return. ReWilding begins with recognizing native plants as the basis of the local food web that is essential for populations of native insects and other wildlife.

Even if you only have a tiny yard, these ReWilding principles are useful and easy to put into practice. If you don’t have an outdoor space to manage, consider adopting a street tree, tending a sidewalk strip or community area, or planting containers with natives. But following these steps may change the way we think about our environment and realize that we are one species among many, bound together in an intricate web of life.

1. Leave the leaves, keep the stems– Nature isn’t tidy, and by being neat and cleaning up all our garden debris, our properties become a desolate and sterile landscape to other living things. Leave those seed heads up and don’t clean every last leaf off of your lawns and planting beds. Less yard work! Rake your leaves off of the grass into your beds (don’t shred) as an instant natural mulch and leave the leaf litter where you can for a vital insulation from the cold for many animals that hide in the soil underneath or within the leaves. Think of leaves as habitat, not trash. Read this article by Xerces on other ways that leaves help the environment.

Don’t haul off dead wood on your property. Make a brush pile habitat and leave it for insects to hibernate in.

2.Ditch Chemicals-Homeowners are the biggest culprit of over-using chemical deterrents for pests which can remain in the environment long after they are used. This includes pesticides, weed killers, slug pellets, and fertilizers. Look for seeds and plants that are free of chemicals. Go to my post on pesticide free nurseries to learn more.

3. Plant Vertically– If you have mostly concrete or a paved property, think about growing native vines in containers or squeeze a vine into a crack in the concrete to grow up a wall. Several native vines, like Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) or  ‘Amethyst Falls’ Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), are frequented by hummingbirds and long-tongued insect pollinators and is a host plant to many native insects.

4. Add Water-A small basin or built in pond with some pond plants can greatly increase the biodiversity of your property. Native salamanders, frogs, toads, and other aquatic life will find it. Native toads need water, even a water filled ditch, to reproduce. I have a pond and frogs and toads populate it without me having to do anything. Simply placing a saucer of water out helps and attracts all kinds of wildlife.

5. Stop or Decrease Mowing, Plant Clover-Set aside an area of your lawn or the entire lawn that can grow up without mowing. This will increase the biodiversity with grass seed heads and wildflowers taking root and eventually trees. You can also mow pathways through your lawn for better access throughout the year or simply decrease the number of times that you mow. Oxeye daisies, goldenrod, and other wildflowers will quickly move in. Let your weeds flower in the lawn if you cut it.

Blooming clover is a great nectar source for honeybees and native bees and it stays short., only 4-8 inches tall. No mowing and it resists pet urine – so no more brown spots in your lawn!

Since turf clover remains small, it doesn’t even require mowing to serve as a functional ground cover. Unmowed Turf Clover is perfect on hillsides or in other areas that are hard to reach and maintain. You can easily buy clover seed and overseed your existing lawn with it.

If you don’t want a full blown meadow, then let your lawn go to ‘weeds’, like clover or prunella, common lawn weeds that are beneficial to pollinators.

6. Set Out the Welcome Mat for Animals-Install bird houses, bug hotels, and underground nests for bumblebees. Leave a pile of debris like sticks alone as animals will use it for shelter. Keep pithy stems up, like sunflowers or teasels, so insects can overwinter in them. Go to Bumblebee Conservation Trust to see how to make a simple Bumblebee habitat.

7. Encourage Others-Talk to neighbors and persuade local schools or governments to become wilder, with less mowing and maintenance.  If you mention less yard work, I bet they will listen! Your ammunition is that rewilding can save money by reducing the time and manpower to cut lawns every week.

8. Diversify-The more species of plants we plant, the more insects and other animals we entice in. Instead of planting a large screen of Green Giant Arborvitae, plant a mix of deciduous and evergreen shrubs as a hedge. Aim for at least 70-80% of native plant species.

After seeing the massive hedgerows in the UK, I planted my own at home when I had to remove a row of dead  evergreens. Remember, when a plant dies, an opportunity opens up! I planted a mixed deciduous and evergreen hedgerow to become a wildlife magnet with berries flowers, nectar, and shelter for animals.

9. Plant Native Trees– If you have the room, planting native species of oaks, cherries, willows, and poplars, is one of the most important choices we can do in our backyard space. Native trees produce habitat and food for insects that in turn feed our songbirds that have catastrophically declined in numbers.

For a great resource of native trees suited to your particular area, go to the Wildlife Federation. 

Not only native trees, but native vines, perennials, and shrubs are included on this list.

10. Set an Example-Set up a yard sign that informs others what you are doing and encourage curious passersby’s to stop and ask questions. Others will be inspired to follow your example.

For a great visit to see some meadow plantings in the mid-Atlantic region where I live, go to Longwood Gardens, Chanticleer, or Delaware Botanic Gardens.

Original post was posted in Jan 2021 and has been updated in February 2025.