Want a garden that’s green and easy? Do You Part and go native in your backyard! Choosing plants and trees that are native to your area take less work, less water and fewer additives.

Native plants are accustomed to the climate and soil where you live. This means they generally don’t need extra water, fertilizers or pesticides. That makes native plants easier on your wallet and the planet at the same time. Plus, they provide habitat for the wildlife in the area.

Need help finding out what’s native where you live? Wildflower.org is my favorite website to help you search by state and it includes pictures of all the different varieties.

Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to turn your entire outdoor space into a native paradise. Instead, do what I do and put in a few new native plants every year. The other benefit is that they are perennial so they come back year after year. Most every plants in my garden is native to the area and you can tell I’ve been working at it for years.

So start small and gradually bring those beneficial native plants into your lawn and garden. It’s an easy way to work less and enjoy your garden more. Plus you’re Doing Your Part to use less water and fewer chemicals in your backyard.