The properties within Pittsboro’s beautiful Ryan’s Crossing community are spacious, luxurious, and include the perfect canvas for creative outdoor design. For many new homeowners, custom-home designs include airy entertainment spaces such as a large patio, an outdoor kitchen, an al fresco dining space, and a fire pit perfect for gatherings. In addition to functional outdoor spaces, many of today’s homeowners are incorporating “rewilding” into their yards–a concept that matches perfectly with central North Carolina’s climate. Rewilding is possible on lots of any size, but the generous ones found in Ryan’s Crossing offer an ideal space to create a playground for nature’s wonders to thrive.
What Is Rewilding?
Rewilding is the process of returning land to a more natural, unmanaged state by introducing native plants and letting Mother Nature take the reins. Unlike conventional landscaping, which often relies on exotic plants, pesticides, and mowing, rewilding encourages biodiversity by creating habitats that are good for insects, birds, and other local wildlife.
Rewilding is a simple landscaping style that can yield stunning results by:
- Replacing a well-defined section of grass with wildflowers native to North Carolina.
- Letting a low-traffic area, such as a back corner, grow “messy” to support pollinators and nesting birds.
- Defining a perimeter by planting a native hedge rather than a fence.
- Designating a spot for brush or yard waste, away from the house, to benefit small critters.
- Opting for native shrubs and perennials rather than exotic or ornamental plants.
The goal is not to let your yard go wild, but rather to rewild with intention—by making thoughtful choices that enhance the ecological function and beauty surrounding your luxury home.
The Natural Benefits of Rewilding
Everyone loves a beautiful, well-kept yard that showcases gorgeous green grass, dedicated gathering points, and unique features. As new home communities become more prevalent, “lawn culture” has caused a reduction in native habitats. Rewilding even a small section of your yard helps reverse this trend by returning a portion of your outdoor space to nature.
- Monarch butterflies migrate through central North Carolina twice a year. Rewilding offers them a delightful rest area on their journey by providing them shelter and food.
- The honeybee population has dwindled in the past decade as wildflowers have disappeared. Rewilding offers a much-needed return of natural support for these and other pollinators.
- Rewilding improves soil health by reducing erosion and stormwater runoff. Rewilding also requires less manual watering, fertilizer, and mowing.
- It’s beautiful! Rewilding offers a unique landscape that will soon be a favorite landing pad for all kinds of nature’s visitors!
Rewilding in a Few Easy Steps:
One of the best parts of rewilding is how easy it is to transform a portion of your yard into a pollinator’s paradise.
- Choose Your Space: Start small! Rewilding does not require a large, outdoor overhaul. Choose a manageable area that can easily serve as a place to experiment. Typically, rewilding works best on the back perimeter of a yard as it is away from high-traffic areas.
- Observe, Study, and Take Notes! For a few days, get to know your rewilding area by noting how much sunlight it gets, whether the soil stays damp or dry, and what kind of plants are already growing there. These clues will help you choose the right plants and layout.
- Create a “Clean” Slate: Gently remove any non-native elements, such as turf grass, ivy, or engineered mulch, without the use of chemical sprays. This can be done naturally by covering the area with cardboard or compost for several months. For quicker results, use clear plastic to “heat” the area over a few weeks during the summer months. Still not fast enough? Grab a shovel and apply some good, old-fashioned elbow grease by digging out anything that is not native to the area.
- Go Native! Central North Carolina’s native plant palette is diverse, colorful, and resilient. Once established, native plants are incredibly low-maintenance. Check your notes to determine which plants will work best in your rewilding area:
- For full sun, plant Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot, Plains Coreopsis, and Little Bluestem.
- For partial shade, plant Eastern Columbine, Golden Ragwort, River Oats, and Blue-stemmed Goldenrod.
- For low, moist spots, plant Virginia Sweetspire, Swamp Milkweed, and Cardinal Flower.
- Plant, Mulch, and Water: Did you know that pollinators prefer patches over single plants? Plant in clusters of three to five plants to create the best visual impact and ecological efficiency. Space plants based on their mature size and give them a good soaking just after you introduce them to their new home. While mulch is not necessary when rewilding, you can opt for a natural mulch such as shredded leaves or hardwood.
- Observe, Adjust, and Enjoy! The best part of rewilding is watching your yard bloom in more ways than one. It won’t be long before you notice more honeybees, butterflies, and birds as they discover this welcoming area. Don’t be afraid to rearrange, replace, or expand your rewilded zone over time and as you discover which plants thrive in your space.
Create more interest by adding a cute bath for birds to splash in or a trickling fountain for frogs to enjoy. Nesting boxes are a great addition and offer the perfect spot for your new feathered friends to raise their next generation. As your rewilding area expands, consider adding pavers to create a delightful path from which to enjoy your work.
As your confidence grows, you can have your garden rewilding certified with the National Wildlife Federation, confirming your commitment to our local ecosystem. The National Wildlife Federation even offers “Certified Wildlife Habitat” markers to let visitors and neighbors know that the area is playing an important role in the Ryan’s Crossing ecosystem.
When the footprint for the Ryan’s Crossing luxury-home community was envisioned, it included a beautiful balance of custom-built homes nestled among spacious, untouched natural areas. This nod to North Carolina’s green spaces was intentional, allowing residents to enjoy the wonder of nature through easily accessible walking paths and conservation areas.
The Ryan’s Crossing neighborhood is filled with extra-large lots that allow homeowners to use their outdoor space in a variety of ways. As rewilding has gained popularity, homeowners are discovering a new and exciting way to transform portions of their yards into vibrant mini habitats.
Reach out to the team at Ryan’s Crossing today to bring more beauty, life, and balance to your custom-built home’s landscape!