Nature-Friendly Gardening
West Cook Wild Ones
Learn locally! Sign up for the West Cook Wild Ones enewsletter and attend their free monthly meetings.
Do you grow native plants? Register your garden with the West Cook Wild Ones Wildlife Corridor.
30x30 Program
Climate Ready Oak Park, the Village of Oak Park’s Sustainability Plan, as well as other municipalities across the globe, pledges to adhere to the 30x30 program.
Learn more about 30x30 from The Nature Conservancy
What can you plant in your yard to make it nature-friendly?
Read this first: Soft Landings by insect expert Heather Holmes. She includes plant lists and other advice.
OAK TREES & OTHER NATIVE TREES
Native oak trees – White Oak, Red Oak, Chinkapin, Burr and others—support a lot of wildlife. Other native trees—which evolved on our land over thousands of years along with native wildlife—are also good choices. Aside from trying to choose native trees when you can, choose the right size tree for the space, light and water conditions you have.
Common Oaks of the Chicago Region – Field Museum Guide
White Oak from Illinois Wildflowers
Trees for 2050 – Chicago Botanic Garden
FLOWERING SHRUBS
The middle layer, flowering shrubs, support birds and other wildlife, as they provide nectar and fruit, as well as nesting habitat. Easy to grow, and often providing 3-4 seasons of beauty, they are a great first step when thinking about your landscape.
9 Native Shrubs for Sun and Shade – Illinois Extension
Underutilized Native Shrubs – Chicago Botanic Garden
Shrubs of the Chicago Region – Field Museum
Plants and Shrubs that Attract Birds – Morton Arboretum
SEDGES & OTHER GROUND LAYER PLANTS
Birds and other wildlife need ground layer plants. Sedges are grass-like plants that are native to Illinois. Other ground layer plants include beautiful and unique spring ephemeral plants that flower before the trees leaf out.
CONEFLOWERS, MILKWEEDS & OTHER FLOWERING PLANTS
Native perennials, such as coneflowers, milkweeds and others, support insects, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Whenever possible, choose the straight species, rather than a “nativar.” Good nurseries that carry straight species and local ecotypes (seeds taken from plants in native habitats within the Chicago region) include Possibility Place and Natural Garden Natives. You can also look for native plant sales through local chapters of Wild Ones and Forest Preserve Districts.
Taking care of your trees
Don’t “volcano” mulch. Do “donut” mulch. There’s a right and wrong way to mulch your trees. Are you doing it the right way? https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/mulching-trees-and-shrubs/
Water during drought. Climate change is causing longer, deeper droughts, which stress trees. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/drought-care/#watering-and-other-tips-during-drought
Choose an arborist, especially for young trees and then every 4-5 years or so. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/choosing-an-arborist/
More information here: https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/#how-to-advice
Rain Gardens
Do you have a very wet yard, or areas of standing water after rain storms? Rain gardens are not only beautiful, they can actually keep your basement dryer, if they are designed correctly. Learn more from the University of Wisconsin and Prairie Rivers Network.
Books for further reading
Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy
Plant This, Not That by Charlotte Adelman
Native Gardens Designs by Patricia Hill
Prairie Up by Benjamin Vogt
Planting in a Post-Wild World by Claudia West
Designing Neighborhoods for People and Wildlife
This video is created by the American Society of Landscape Architects whose mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments.
Openlands: Conserving Nature for Life
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.
Get Information About:
Where to Purchase Native Plants, Chemical-Free Lawn Care Products, and Natural Lawn Care
The Conservation Foundation compiled a list of Chicago area stores selling native plants and natural lawn care products at the bottom of this webpage: here.
West Cook Wild Ones has a list of recommendations as well here: westcook.wildones.org/resources/
Two suggestions, among many:
DigRightIn Landscaping, 9100 W. Plainfield Rd., Brookfield, IL 60513, (708) 485-7751, www.digrightin.com
Pure Prairie Organics, 2405 Essington Rd. #61, Joliet, IL 60435, (630) 777-2600, www.pureprairieorganics.com
Beyond Pesticides Website
Beyond Pesticides works with allies to protect public health and the environment, leading the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.
Midwest Grows Green Website
A Guide to Growing Environmentally Friendly Lawns & Gardens
Eco-Sensitive Garden Clean-Up
Conventional garden cleanup removes organic matter and beneficial insects. Stephanie Walquist of Wild Ones West Cook recommends the following books to learn more:
Teaming with Microbes, Lowefels and Lewis
Life in the Soil, Nardi
Farming with Beneficial Insects, Xerces Society
Attracting Native Pollinators, Xerces Society