If you’re trying to garden on a budget, the fastest wins usually come from doing less, not more. The smartest “less” is choosing plants that already know how to live where you live, without constant babysitting. That’s why native plants are such a frugal gardener’s cheat code: they can lower water use, reduce inputs, and…
backyard habitat
Why Some States Are Now Paying Homeowners to Plant Native Wildflowers
A few years ago, “planting for pollinators” sounded like a feel-good weekend project. Now, in some places, it can come with real money attached—rebates, cost-share grants, free coaching, or even discounted plants—because local governments are tired of paying for the same problems over and over. When a yard can soak up stormwater, reduce erosion, and…
10 Flowers That Attract Pollinators Without Extra Spending
If you want more bees, butterflies, and helpful hoverflies in your yard, you don’t need a pricey “pollinator garden kit.” The cheapest wins usually come from plants that sprout easily, self-seed, or multiply so you can share them around the yard. Once a few dependable bloomers settle in, they’ll pull in visitors all season and…


