Take a stroll or a bike ride around town and you're likely to notice more and more homeowners opting for the beauty and simplicity of native landscapes.

The benefits of native landscapes

Natural landscapes can be low maintenance and very easy to maintain, but they offer a number of other environmental benefits, too. First and foremost, they require little or no, fertilizers and chemicals. Many native plants help to prevent erosion and run-off. And vitally important, native plants provide food and shelter for the insects, pollinators, birds, and small mammals that comprise our urban ecosystem. 

How to get started with your own natural yard

You don't need to transform your entire yard all at once. You can start small by converting just a small patch of your yard into a native landscape. Then, as you learn and your garden grows, you can convert a little more of your yard each year. 

The city of Madison and the DNR offer online guides that can help you choose the right native plantings for your yard, along with links to plenty of helpful resources. Both of these guides are excellent resources for learning more and getting started.