Rewilding

"Plants take people away from the humdrum of life, help them to reminisce and inevitably evoke something for everyone."
Antoine de Lavalette winner of the Carré des Jardiniers 2023 competition. 

Rewilding was a new and curious concept to me. A word I had never heard of, but I immediately liked it. The word feels right for right now. In today's ever-evolving world, with the visible effects of climate change and the repercussions of past decisions becoming increasingly evident, it's clear that change is imperative. Thus, the notion of rewilding resonated with me, sparking excitement and curiosity. Here's what I discovered.

What is Rewilding and Why is it Important?

1. Conservation: rewilding is introducing native plants, creating a natural habitat for local wildlife and allowing the natural process to take place which in turn increases biodiversity and improves soil health. 

2. Resilience: native plants are better adaptive to local climate conditions and therefore require less water and less maintenance. 

3. Connection: as Antoine de Lavalette stated so eloquently, "Plants take people away from the humdrum of life, help them to reminisce and inevitably evoke something for everyone." Plants allow people to disconnect and reconnect in a grounded and natural way. 

 

How to do it...

1. Take a look: understand soil type, sunlight, existing plants and wildlife.

2. Set goals: start by identifying your goals. Here are a few to consider: increase biodiversity, provide habitat, improve soil health, reduce water use, increase sustainability and resilience. 

3. Pick your plants: aim for a diverse mix of natives-- trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ground cover. 

4. Create habitats: examples of this would be bird houses, bat boxes, insect hotels, rock piles, log piles, and water features like ponds, bird bathes and fountains. 

5. Ditch the grass: lawns require more water usage, fertilizer and maintenance with little ecological value as compare to native species. 

6. Let it be: allow plants to grow in their natural way. Reduce pruning and allowing self seeding to mimic the process found in nature. Some plants may take over others. 

7. Soil health: focus on soil health by limited use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. These chemicals can be harmful to insects, soil organisms, and wildlife. 

8. Adjust as you go: Observe, monitor and adapt as needed so your garden can be a thriving ecosystem.  

 

How to incorporate pottery when rewilding your project:

1. Selecting Pottery Styles: Choose pottery styles that complement the naturalistic aesthetic of the rewilded garden. Consider rustic, textured, or weathered finishes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

*Use our Favorite Finder tool to find the right size, shape and color pot. 

 

2. Placement: Strategically place pottery and planters throughout the garden to create visual balance and focal points. Cluster smaller pots together for impact or use larger planters as standalone features.

3. Container Gardening: Use planters to grow native flowers, grasses, and shrubs that attract pollinators and wildlife. Select plants that are well-suited to the growing conditions and aesthetics of the garden.

4. Vertical Planters: Incorporate vertical planters or hanging baskets to maximize space and add dimension to the garden. Vertical planters can be mounted on walls, fences, or pergolas, creating living walls or green screens.

5. Seasonal Displays: Rotate plantings in containers to create seasonal displays that reflect the changing colors and textures of the garden throughout the year. Experiment with different combinations of flowers, foliage, and ornamental grasses.

6. Functional Planters: Use larger planters as raised beds for growing vegetables, herbs, or edible flowers. Incorporate trellises or supports for climbing plants like tomatoes or cucumbers.

*Use our Homegrown Food Guide for container gardening tips. 

 

7. Water Features: Convert pottery into fountains. Create miniature ponds or bubbling fountains that attract birds, insects, and other wildlife.

*Step-by-step tutorial on how to convert your pottery into a fountain. 

 

8. Artistic Elements: Treat pottery and planters as artistic elements in the garden, incorporating them into garden designs as sculptures, focal points, or accent pieces. 

 

Pros + Cons of Rewilding

Pros:

1. Increases biodiversity

2. Provides habitat for wildlife

3. Ecologically good for our planet

4. Low maintenance

5. Aesthetic appeal

6. Fosters more connection to nature

 

Cons:

1. Time + effort

2. Perceived messiness

3. Potential for weeds

4. Open invitation for wildlife

5. Limited recreational space use with the removal of grass