Est. Read Time: 7 minutes Winter sowing is one of the easiest—and most affordable—ways to start native plants. We hear from a lot of people who want to plant native but feel held back by cost. Native plants can be pricey when you’re buying full-grown plants from a nursery, especially if you’re trying to transform […]
Winter Sowing: A Budget-Friendly Way to Start Your Native Garden Read More »
What the heck do I do with all these leaves? (The questions everyone asks) Estimated read time: 5 minutes Maybe you’ve heard that leaving your leaves is better for nature, but you’re not sure why or where to start. You’re not alone. Most of us grew up believing that a tidy yard meant a clean
Leave the Leaves: Why Less Cleanup Means More Life Read More »
The new Wildr Score from Homegrown National Park and Plan it Wild helps you measure your impact and celebrate the nature you’ve brought home. Fall is a great time to take stock of your outdoor space. Maybe you planted a tree, added native plants, or changed how you care for your yard—every step makes a
Introducing the Wildr Score: A New Collaboration with Plan it Wild Read More »
Yes, the Era of the American Lawn Is Over. Here’s What Comes Next. On August 30, The New York Times published a guest essay with a bold declaration: “The Era of the American Lawn Is Over.” The piece reflects what so many of us already know, that the vast, manicured lawns blanketing America have become
The American Lawn Is Over. Read More »
Est. Read Time: 5 minutes This summer, we launched the very first Mosquito Bucket Challenge—a simple, pollinator-safe way to reduce fogging without harming biodiversity. And what a response it was! From decorated buckets to community giveaways, you showed just how creative and passionate this movement can be. Your suggestions are already sparking ideas for how
Mosquito Bucket Challenge 2025 Read More »
Celebrating World Firefly Day with Homegrown National Park® Think back to summer evenings from your childhood. Warm air. Bare feet in the grass. Tiny sparks drifting through the dark, blinking in gentle rhythms. Fireflies were part of the magic, a quiet reminder that nature can be full of small wonders. These days, though, many of
Bringing Back the Night Lights: Fireflies and the Power of Small Changes Read More »
By Tim Snyder, Executive Director Est. Read Time: 5 minutes One of those first warm spring days, I was sitting around with my 15- and 16-year-olds, just talking. Nothing formal, just one of those rare moments when the conversation flows and you realize they’ve actually been listening. We started chatting about Homegrown National Park®: native
This Is How Change Begins Read More »
By James Shepherd MD PhD Yale University School of Medicine Est Read Time: 6 minutes You might think that a garden full of native plants, thicker on the ground and under the trees, jumbled together in profusion, might be a better habitat for disease-carrying ticks, bugs, and mice than a closely cropped lawn of turfgrass
Homegrown Diversity and Infectious Diseases Read More »
We’ve partnered with My Home Park so you can customize your native garden and save! Custom Native Garden Design Starting at $50 My Home Park will create a complete native garden design package for your yard. $25 will go to Homegrown National Park® (HNP), and 50% of the design fee will be credited towards your
Custom Native Garden Design from My Home Park Read More »
Try these Keystone native plants instead of (non-native) chrysanthemums to support your local pollinators and other wildlife! Keystones are the most productive native plants to support the most productive species.???? These plants are also container-friendly for your patio or balcony. Find more options for the most productive plants and trees using our Keystone Plant Guides.
Support Biodiversity With These Native Fall Blooms Read More »