Rewilding your garden is all about stepping back and letting nature take the reins, especially during the fall when everything seems to be winding down. Instead of fighting against nature’s cycles with endless raking, pruning, and tidying, you can create a vibrant, wildlife-friendly space that supports local ecosystems and encourages a beautiful, natural balance. I know it can be hard to resist the urge to clean up every leaf or trim every shrub, but there’s something incredibly freeing about letting your garden go a little wild!
Rewilding is also a wonderful way to attract more birds, bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects to your space, all of which are crucial for a healthy garden. It’s about planting native species, creating diverse habitats, and allowing the natural processes to unfold without interference. Let’s dive into some exciting ways to embrace rewilding in your fall garden and discover how letting go of control can lead to a richer, more dynamic outdoor space.
Plant Native Wildflowers
One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to rewild your garden is by planting native wildflowers. These flowers are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil, meaning they require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. They also provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife, from pollinators like bees and butterflies to birds that feed on their seeds. I know how frustrating it can be when pests take over your garden, but native wildflowers can help attract natural predators that keep pests in check.
Native wildflowers like Black-Eyed Susan, Milkweed, and Coneflowers are excellent choices for a rewilded garden. These plants are not invasive and won’t outcompete other species, but they will bring a burst of color and life to your garden while supporting the local ecosystem. The best part? They tend to self-seed, meaning you’ll have a beautiful display of flowers each year with minimal effort. Just imagine your garden bursting with color and buzzing with life as bees, butterflies, and birds make themselves at home among the blooms!
Create a Brush Pile for Wildlife Shelter
Instead of hauling away all your garden debris this fall, consider creating a brush pile to provide shelter for wildlife. A simple pile of fallen branches, twigs, and leaves can offer a safe haven for small mammals like hedgehogs, rabbits, and even reptiles, who need protection from the colder weather and predators. Birds might also use these piles for nesting material or to find insects during the winter months. It’s such a relief to see that what might otherwise be considered “garden waste” can actually become a valuable resource for wildlife!
Creating a brush pile is easy and doesn’t require a lot of space. You can place it in an out-of-the-way corner of your garden, where it won’t be disturbed. The pile will naturally decompose over time, adding nutrients back into the soil, which benefits your entire garden ecosystem. Plus, this simple act of rewilding encourages a healthy habitat that supports a wide range of species, from insects to birds to small mammals. It’s such a win-win—minimal effort for maximum impact!
Let the Leaves Lie
Rather than raking up every last leaf in your garden, consider leaving them where they fall—or at least in some areas. Fallen leaves create a natural mulch that helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and adds nutrients back into the soil as they break down. They also provide an essential habitat for many overwintering insects, like butterflies, beetles, and moths, which use leaf litter to hide from predators and harsh weather. I know it can feel strange to leave those leaves lying around, but trust me, they’re doing a lot of good!
Allowing leaves to remain in certain parts of your garden can also benefit birds, who forage through them looking for insects to eat. While it’s understandable to want a tidy garden, leaving a layer of leaves in flower beds, around shrubs, or even in a dedicated “wild” area can create a more balanced ecosystem. And, don’t worry about invasiveness—leaves will naturally decompose, enriching your soil without any extra effort from you. It’s a simple, effective way to let nature do its thing!
Add a Log or Rock Pile
Another great way to rewild your garden is by adding a log or rock pile. These natural elements provide shelter for a variety of creatures, from amphibians like frogs and toads to beneficial insects like beetles and spiders. Logs and rocks can create microhabitats that offer shade, moisture, and protection, helping to maintain biodiversity in your garden. It’s amazing how such a small addition can make a big difference in creating a welcoming space for wildlife!
Log piles are particularly helpful in providing a home for decomposers like fungi and insects, which play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil. Rocks, on the other hand, offer basking spots for reptiles and amphibians and can even help regulate soil temperature by absorbing and releasing heat. And don’t worry—neither logs nor rocks will become invasive or problematic in your garden. They simply add another layer of complexity and interest to your outdoor space, all while supporting local wildlife.
Allow Seed Heads to Remain
Leaving seed heads on your plants instead of cutting them back in the fall is a fantastic way to support wildlife and add a bit of winter interest to your garden. Plants like Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Goldenrod produce seed heads that not only look striking when covered in frost but also provide a valuable food source for birds throughout the winter months. It’s such a bummer when your garden looks barren during the colder months, but seed heads add structure and texture that can be enjoyed year-round.
Additionally, many insects use the hollow stems of perennials to overwinter. By leaving the seed heads and stems intact, you’re providing a habitat for beneficial insects that will help pollinate your garden and keep pests in check come spring. There’s no need to worry about these plants becoming invasive if left alone; most will simply go dormant and spring back to life when the weather warms up. So, let those seed heads stand tall—they’re doing a lot of good!
Choose Native Trees and Shrubs
Integrating native trees and shrubs into your garden is a cornerstone of rewilding, and fall is the perfect time to plant them. Native species like oak, dogwood, and serviceberry are well-adapted to your local climate and provide a wealth of benefits to wildlife. Birds, for example, rely on native trees for nesting sites, while mammals use them for shelter. And let’s not forget about the bees and butterflies, which are naturally attracted to the flowers and fruits of native plants!
These native plants are generally non-invasive, meaning they won’t crowd out other species or disrupt the balance of your garden. They’re also typically low-maintenance, requiring less water and fewer resources than non-native plants. I love watching the wildlife that native trees and shrubs bring to my garden—it’s like creating a little piece of wilderness right outside my door. By choosing native plants, you’re helping to restore a more natural balance to your garden and supporting local ecosystems in the process.
Embrace “Weeds” for Their Benefits
Not all weeds are bad! In fact, many so-called weeds, like dandelions, clover, and nettles, offer significant benefits to your garden. Dandelions, for example, are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, providing vital early-season nectar for bees and other pollinators. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil, helping to nourish other plants, while nettles provide a habitat for butterflies like the Red Admiral and Painted Lady to lay their eggs. It’s such a revelation to realize that what we often consider nuisances can actually be incredibly valuable!
Rather than pulling every weed, consider leaving a few in place or designating a specific area of your garden for wild growth. Many of these plants are not invasive and will stay confined to their designated spots if you manage them carefully. Plus, allowing a bit of wildness in your garden can reduce the time and effort you spend on weeding and maintenance. Embracing these “weeds” can help foster a more diverse, resilient ecosystem that supports a wider range of wildlife.
Rewilding your fall garden is a beautiful and rewarding way to reconnect with nature and create a dynamic, thriving outdoor space. By allowing native plants to flourish, leaving some areas untamed, and providing natural habitats, you can create a haven for wildlife that’s full of life and color year-round.
