The Basics of Naturalizing a Landscape

Many members of a community may be interested in educating themselves about how to naturalize the areas near where they live or where they want to spend time. Whether your project is an urban lot, a traditionally landscaped park, or a suburban backyard, many of the guiding principles and challenges will be the same.

Naturalizing an area does not mean totally abandoning maintenance—some people equate naturalization with letting nature take its course while stepping back and doing little to maintain the area. Actually, using native plants and providing water sources for native wildlife may mean different—but not necessarily more difficult—tasks for the gardener to undertake throughout the year.

Traditional, formal landscaping has usually not been accommodating to local wildlife; it has often involved a great deal of energy use (water, electricity, and so on) and has relied on the use of commercial pesticides. Naturalizing means providing the conditions for an entire community of plants and animals to consistently find suitable conditions for growth, as well as food and shelter.

First, you will need to research your area—find out what Bioregion you are in, and what species are native to where you live. Some plants that may commonly be thought of as being native to an area may actually have been introduced by Europeans when they arrived in North America, so it pays to spend the time researching before you begin planning or making your first purchases. Most large nurseries will have sections reserved for native plants, and local landscapers or landscape architects may be able to help you draw up specific plans for the area.

Once you begin to let a lawn or open area become less formally maintained, you will allow succession to occur—first smaller plants will take root, and then shrubs and trees. Once the necessary nutrients have been reintroduced to the soil--and some native plants are present--insects, birds, and other wildlife will be able to move back in if they can find sufficient (and consistent) food sources and shelter.

Other than careful planning and selecting a variety of species that will mimic natural conditions, the next big job facing the steward will be to remove invasive species such as ragweed or dandelion, for example, that will want to take over the available area or the newly un-manicured lawn.

Soil preparation will also be key to helping your project succeed—turning the earth or adding new topsoil and organic matter will give seeds and roots a better chance of surviving and thriving—which in turn will be the foundation for transforming the landscape.