Gardening habits plant experts say you should break this year – 5 things to ditch for a more sustainable yard

It's easy to stick to familiar gardening routines, whether that's with our watering methods, plant selection, or when prepping for the cooler season. However, some habits are worth re-addressing. And the start of spring, when we're planning for the months ahead, is a great time to do so.

Alternative approaches to the norm can have numerous benefits, from helping local wildlife to making your garden more sustainable. Some swaps will make your life easier, too, so you can spend more time enjoying your space and less time ticking off tasks.

Below, you'll find five gardening habits to reconsider, including tidying up too much in the fall. There's also advice on what to do instead, and why, explained by industry experts.

Gardening habits to reconsider, to benefit both you and the planet

If these habits apply to you, consider switching them up – whether you're new to gardening or have been tending to your yard for years.

1. Always choosing exotics over native plants

It's easy to have our heads turned by exotic plants. They can offer a riot of color, are a little more unusual, and often work beautifully in a tropical garden. However, there are many benefits to native planting – a key gardening industry trend.

Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation highlights a few of the problems exotics can cause in a garden. Firstly, they can create monocultures, and 'may become invasive and outcompete native plants for resources,' she says. They can also be more susceptible to pests and disease, she adds, and can contribute to higher maintenance costs.

Mary explains that native plants are adapted to the local climate and naturally resistant to local pests and diseases. They are 'essential for the survival of native insects, birds, and other animals that have evolved with them', providing food sources like nectar and seeds as well as shelter and nesting sites. In addition to supporting biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem, they also reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides, she adds. To put it simply, native planting can make your life easier, and is great for a wildlife-friendly garden. Mary recommends using the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder to find native plants appropriate for your region.

However, if you love exotic plants, you don't have to cut them out entirely. Rebecca Sears from Ferry-Morse says 'a thoughtful mix of native and non-invasive non-native species can maximize both ecological benefits and landscape resilience. The key is selecting varieties that contribute positively to the local environment, while meeting practical and aesthetic needs.' To help you achieve this balance, she recommends Ferry-Morse's collection of region-specific seed mixes, which offer 'various native and non-native flowers that will thrive in your area throughout the season.'

Mary Phillips

Mary Phillips is an ambassador for native plants. Her work ensures all habitat programs and resources are rooted in sustainable practices and the latest science.

Rebecca Sears

As CMO and resident green thumb for the Green Garden family of brands, Rebecca Sears nurtures the company's heritage but also looks to develop new products and solutions to help gardeners of all skill levels fuel their passion and become more successful in the garden. Rebecca has been gardening from coast to coast, first realizing her passion while living in Portland, Oregon, inspired by the public gardens throughout the city. When she relocated to the northeast, she built upon her knowledge and craft, and now her backyard garden grows larger each year.

2. Relying on chemicals for a quick fix

Some of us reach for chemical pesticides or herbicides without a second thought, in an attempt to solve plant problems. However, despite seeming like a quick fix for getting rid of weeds and pests, they can lead to other issues.

Mary warns they can kill beneficial insects, birds, and other animals, disrupting food webs and ecosystems and contributing to pollinator decline. They are also harmful to soil health, as can kill beneficial soil organisms like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, she says. 'Some pesticides can persist in the soil for years, even after discontinuing use.' There's also water contamination from runoff to think about, she points out.

On the bright side, there are plenty of alternatives suitable for organic gardening. For instance, Mary suggests planting a diverse and dense stand of native plants and ground covers to prevent weeds from rooting. Hand pulling, digging out, and using sheet mulching with cardboard or paper to kill large areas of invasives are other tactics she recommends.

There are also natural pest-control methods, such as companion planting, and natural, homemade fertilizers to try.

3. Overzealous tidying in the fall

When tackling our fall gardening checklist, it's easy to go overboard clearing up old plant debris. However, Mary points out how tidying up in the fall, or even too early in the spring, can have unintended consequences. 'We recommend you don’t tidy up garden beds in the fall, and wait until the weather warms to 50 degrees in spring to finish your clean-up,' she says.

First, it can impact your garden's wildlife by removing both habitats and food sources. 'Many beneficial insects overwinter in plant debris, such as hollow stems and fallen leaves,' Mary says. 'Seed heads provide essential food for birds and other wildlife throughout the winter when other options may be scarce.'

It can also have negative effects on your plants. 'Fallen leaves act as a natural mulch, insulating the soil and protecting plant roots from freezing temperatures,' Mary says. Decomposing leaves and plant debris also add organic matter to the soil, she adds. What's more, cutting back perennials too early can leave them more susceptible to frost damage.

4. Wasting water

Rebecca says, 'Overwatering, watering at the wrong time, or using inefficient methods like sprinklers that soak sidewalks instead of plants are common ways that gardeners can unintentionally waste water.'

Alexander Betz, landscape designer and CEO of Plant by Number, says, 'To water more sustainably, water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation, and use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target plant roots directly. Mulching also helps retain moisture and minimizes the need for frequent watering.'

Rebecca also recommends collecting rainwater as an easy way to cut down on water use. 'Plus, choosing drought-tolerant flowering plants like blanketflower or sweet William means you’ll need to water less overall.' You can shop for sweet William seeds from Ferry-Morse.

5. Reserving beds only for flowers

When we plan our garden borders, it's easy to stick to just flowers. However, there's a growing garden trend for mixing ornamental beauties with edible crops, including edimentals.

'Planting edibles among flower beds can help you make the most of your garden space while boosting biodiversity,' says Rebecca. 'It attracts pollinators, helps with natural pest control, and adds unique colors and textures alongside your flowers. Plus, having fresh herbs, greens, and fruits right in your ornamental beds makes harvesting easy and encourages healthy eating.

'Consider planting leafy greens like kale and Swiss chard, flowering herbs like basil and thyme, and edible flowers like nasturtiums among your flower beds this spring.' Ferry-Morse has a range of nasturtium seeds available to buy.

FAQs

How can you switch up your color scheme in your garden?

Do you gravitate towards the same old planting palette year after year? 2025 might be the time for something new. You could take planting inspiration from on-trend paint colors, or turn to our dedicated garden color scheme guide, which has plenty of tips. It's a good idea to play around with mood boards before you go plant or seed shopping, to find the perfect aesthetic for you.

What are some other ways to make garden maintenance easier?

Spending less time doing garden chores appeals to many of us – and there are ways to make this a reality. Our list of gardening hacks for busy growers has lots of ideas to try.

Remember, too, that container gardening is generally more time-consuming than planting in garden beds – so, if you habitually buy lots of small pots for your patio, now could be a good time to reassess (or investigate self-watering planters).

Another thing you may want to think twice about in 2025 is buying plastic yard tools – our guide explains why.