Why native gardening?

When selecting plants for your home landscaping, many gardeners choose exotic species over native ones. Although this choice is based only on personal preference, it has serious repercussions.

The view of KWRebecca Ford New Canaan when gardeners bring non-native plants into their gardens. As invasive plants re-establish themselves, their development can destabilize the environment and generate new pest populations in neighboring places.

Moreover, if pesticides or chemical fertilizers are utilized to suppress these non-native plant populations, the chemicals end up in our stormwater systems as runoff and harm water sources. This may result in species extinction, not to mention harm to human health.

Moreover, these compounds may damage soil nutrients and cause erosion.

A native landscape represents the natural habitat of our local species and contributes to biodiversity conservation. Native plants provide food, nectar, seeds, and shelter to birds, pollinators, chipmunks, and other species.

Native plants not only save money on lawn upkeep, but they also need less fertilizer and pesticides. They can also withstand drought and heat without being overwatered.

You may help reduce air pollution in our region by minimizing the usage of harmful chemicals and gas-powered instruments. A native garden may also assist in trapping carbon dioxide (the primary source of climate gases) from our environment.