Biodiversity and Your Lawn!

Step 1 : Native and Diverse Planting

If you're seeking to bring more diversity and wildlife activity to your yard, consider incorporating native plant communities that play a vital role in supporting local wildlife.
Plants serve as the foundation of food webs, harnessing sunlight to sustain life. Therefore, promoting the growth of native plants—rather than exotic species commonly used in home landscaping—is essential.
Native plants offer the essential nutrients and physical structure that support native pollinators, insects, birds, and other wildlife that have evolved to rely on them for survival.
By cultivating native plants, you can create a thriving ecosystem that attracts a wider array of insects, providing a rich food source for birds and contributing to a healthier and more dynamic environment for all forms of wildlife.
Tips:

Conserve existing native vegetation and plant communities.

Utilize local nurseries to identify native plants in your area.

Implement responsible landscaping techniques.

Select plants based on site conditions, such as wet or dry, shady or sunny, and acidic or basic.

Step 2 : Plant a Native Tree

Planting native trees, which are naturally adapted to local soils, climate, and conditions, requires less maintenance. Additionally, native trees support biodiversity by offering essential food and shelter to various wildlife. Furthermore, all trees contribute to our health by enhancing air quality, reducing noise, and promoting relaxation of the mind.

Tips:

Use the List of Recommend Trees for Home Landscapes to find a tree fits in your yard.

Review Tree Philly’s Yard and Planting Care page to learn more about how to plant and maintain a new tree in your yard.

Follow these general regulations when planting:

• • No person shall plant a public shade tree in or upon the public streets, highways and/or avenues within five feet from the edge of any driveway.


• • No person shall plant a public shade tree nearer to the intersection of any two or more streets than 25 feet from the point of intersection of any two public right-of-way lines. A distance of 30 feet shall be maintained on streets which are state highways.


• • No person shall pour saltwater, oil or any other deleterious material at any place in such manner that injury might result to any public shade tree.


• • Every property owner of trees standing on private property shall keep such trees trimmed so that the minimum clearance of any branches that overhang any public walks is 12 feet for mature trees and nine feet for newly planted trees, and the minimum clearance where branches overhang any public street, highway and/or avenue is 14 feet.


• • The Township Manager may order the removal of any tree on private property if said tree is diseased, dead or creating any hazard to the public.


• • On all new building sites, the owner or contractor shall plant on said building site abutting the public right-of-way at least one public shade tree for every 30 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof.



You can view the full regulations in PDF form here.

Step 3 : Pesticides

Pesticides can be an effective method of managing pests such as insects, weeds, and diseases. However, a holistic approach is the most effective way to manage pests.

Before you use:

First, start with prevention. For example, maintain healthy soil, utilize a variety of plants, and clean out diseased plants if they appear.

Next, be sure to identify the problem before taking any action. Without knowing the cause of an issue, one cannot effectively manage it or may incorrectly manage it.

Finally, give nature some time. Oftentimes, natural predators can manage pests on their own, but they need some time to do so. If you are noticing signs of damage, be patient. Nature may control the problem for you or plants may outgrow the damage.

If the pest problem persists, try out the following techniques:

Use physical controls like traps, barriers, and fabric row covers

Pull problem weeds manually

Mulch to reduce weed growth

Rotate crops annually to minimize their susceptibility to pests and diseases

Replace problem plants with a more tolerant or resistant variety or a new type entirely

If all else fails, use pesticides responsibly. Always follow the product label instructions and only treat the affected area.

Step 4 : Fertilizers

Fertilizers put essential nutrients back into the soil for plants to use. Careful use of fertilizers is necessary in order to reduce nutrient run-off (nutrients from fertilizers washing away with water) and nutrient leaching (nutrients from fertilizers infiltrating the ground in water), both of which contribute to pollution.
When fertilizing, use natural/organic or slow-release fertilizers as sparingly as possible. Additionally, avoid applying near or on hard surfaces like sidewalks, streets, and driveways.