Do you garden or have a yard? If so, consider replacing your grass and ornamental plants with native plants to save money and time. Here’s why:

• Less maintenance: Native plants are already adapted to the local environment so your plants will require minimal attention and maintenance.
• Help local wildlife and pollinators: Local wildlife need resting areas between home habitats. Native plants can provide those safe havens along with food. Even better, you’ll get a wildlife viewing area right in your own yard or garden.
• Use less water: Once established, many native plants need minimal watering beyond normal rainfall.
• Freedom from pesticides: Native plants already have defenses in place to minimize damage from pests and diseases. They can also be homes to beneficial insects that would otherwise be killed by pesticides, which can help protect any food-growing plants that you also have growing.

For more information about plants native to Southern Oregon and water wise landscaping tips, check out the Siskiyou chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon and Ashland Water Wise Landscaping.

Do you want all the latest news and updates from Sustainability at SOU delivered straight to your inbox? Click here to subscribe to the Sustainability at SOU News group to be the first to receive monthly sustainability tips, quarterly newsletters, and occasional updates on campus sustainability programs and events. Don’t worry, we won’t spam your inbox with daily (or even weekly) emails, and you can choose to unsubscribe at anytime.