You don’t need a degree in landscape architecture and ecology to turn your backyard into a diverse ecosystem, but it is important to understand basic plant biology and the factors driving the health of an ecosystem. These resources are a combination or tools that will both inspire and teach you as you start or continue your journey toward more eco-friendly gardening.
Books
Bringing Nature Home: How You can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants
The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden
The Landscaping Revolution: Garden with Mother Nature, Not Against Her
Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation
Growing and Propagating Wildflowers
The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest
How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life
Plant Databases and Planning Tools
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Plant Database
Children’s Books
Hank’s Big Day: The Story of a Bug
Organizations
Native Plant Society of New Jersey
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Pineleands Presevation Alliance
Blogs
The State We’re In – NJ Conservation Foundation Blog
A Way to Garden – Organic Gardening and Landscaping How-to from Margaret Roach