Before any hands go into the soil, it’s important to PLAN on many levels, including: garner

commitment from those who manage and use the site where your garden will go—without buy

in from your hosts and/or community it is unlikely your garden will get the care, consideration

and upkeep it will need. Locate funding and sources for plants, signage, and maintenance. Think

about who will see, visit and use the garden and how it will be integrated into the community.

Create a garden design based on locally native plant species that will survive best in the space

and provide the most benefit for wildlife, with attention to food, shelter, water and nesting

sources. Make sure to include signs and labels (link to ours) and have a plan for how to install

them with an eye toward visibility.