Mentoring ProgramNatural Garden in Your Yard logo

The “Natural Garden in Your Yard” (NGYY) program was established in early 2005 by the Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee.  Our goal is to assist and encourage homeowners to transform traditional lawn and gardens to native plant gardens. With our help, homeowners interested in getting started with native plants can gain the needed assistance through our program.

If you’re attracted to the idea of gardening with native plants and would like to participate in this year’s program, you may register online or download an application here.  Applications are due by August 1.  Garden planning will take place in the fall with plants delivered the following spring.

As a Natural Garden participant, you’ll be paired with a mentor and given one-on-one assistance in the planning of a small native garden area.  The garden becomes a living classroom where you gain firsthand knowledge of native wildflowers as well as discover the wonders of nature in your yard. Your garden could be a rain garden, shade garden, pollinator garden, native plant border, stopover habitat for migrating birds or even a formal planting using natives. Even small backyards can contribute valuable native habitat. The program provides: 

  • Mentors – The mentor is an experienced native plant gardener.  Mentors will do site evaluations, answer questions and assist with a garden plan and plant selection.  Learn more about our mentors here.
  • Reference Materials – We provide a book on native plant gardening and a selection of additional resources.
  • Gardening Network – Explore opportunities to network with kindred spirits through yard walks and informal evening educational programs.
  • Plant Discount – Participants are given a one-time discount on plants purchased through the WPPC.   Plants are available for pick up the first week in May.

If you’ve been accepted into the program and would like to pay the program deposit (it will be applied to your plant order), you may now do it online.  Pay Now   

If you’re a member of this year’s mentoring class or a WPPC voting member, you may also submit your plant pre-order online.

Questions are welcomed!

  • Garden Walk at Perle's

Read what some of our recent Mentees have to say about the program

  • Abby Callard:  “The mentorship program through the WPPC has been invaluable in my quest to replace invasives and grassy lawn with beneficial plants…” (read more)
  • Rita Janus:  “I was able to take advantage of the WPPC plant sale pre-sale and used those plants to create my native garden.  It was thrilling to observe the plants as they grew …” (read more)
  • Ron Grochowski:“My mentor gave me some easy to follow guidelines and some basic planting tips and assured me I was quite capable of having a successful native plant garden, even though I didn’t have a green thumb yet…” (read more)
  • Shelley Gray: “My mentor really helped me plan out a garden for my shady hillside.  I had no idea so many flowers would grow and bloom in the shade. It has been a joy ever since…” (read more)