Habitat Gardening & Rewilding Your Backyard

Everything you need to know to get started. Your climate zone, soil, what to plant, and how to find the right information for where you live.

Oct 15, 2024

If something I’ve shared has helped you in your garden or offered value in some way, and you’d like to contribute, you can Buy Me a Coffee.

You don’t need acres of land to bring nature back — you just need your backyard.

Rewilding (or habitat gardening) isn’t about letting your garden run wild (unless you want to). It’s about creating beautiful spaces that work for you and for wildlife.

It’s about making your backyard part of something bigger.

When I bought my home last year, I knew I wanted to rewild/restore it. The backyard, front yard, verge and all. I had a little bit of gardening knowledge, zero landscaping skills, and a whole lot of optimism.

The hardest part was knowing where to start.

I wanted to get it right. I was set on creating a beautifully diverse garden filled with Australian natives that support wildlife. It sounded simple enough in theory, but in practice? It took a lot more research (so much research!) to bring that vision to life.

A vision, as you know, is still very much a work in progress, and I'm learning new things every week.

My Substack is about sharing weekly updates on how my rewilding and landscaping efforts are tracking. To share what’s working and what’s not, and to help make the process easier for you. But most importantly, I want to inspire and encourage more people to do the same.

This guide is what I wished I had when I first started, breaking down rewilding into those manageable first steps.

If you're ready to turn your backyard into a thriving hub of biodiversity (without it feeling like a massive, complicated project), this is for you.

In this guide, you will find:

Finding Your Climate Zone (or Bioregion)
Where to Start Researching (Links to valuable resources)
Choosing the Right Plants for Where You Live (Soil, Water, and Microclimates)
Book Recommendations and Design Inspiration

But first, let’s talk about this word: Rewilding

What exactly is Rewilding?

I first came across the term rewilding on Instagram when I started researching native gardening. After a decade of working online, I know how powerful words are for finding community – and also how they often get misused (I’m looking at you, ‘sustainable’). The same goes for rewilding.

It’s a word that’s gained popularity recently as more people become aware of habitat loss and the urgent need to bring nature back into our lives. But depending on where you are in the world, it can mean slightly different things.

Rewilding is currently trending, but there’s also naturalistic gardening, wild gardening, and restoration gardening. Each of them encompassing the idea of gardening that works with nature to build spaces that invite biodiversity back in.

In larger-scale conservation, rewilding often refers to restoring entire landscapes – reintroducing lost species, repairing broken ecosystems, or allowing nature to regenerate without human interference. In places like the UK and US, it’s often about bringing back native plants and wildlife after centuries of deforestation and urbanisation. Knepp, a rewilding project in the UK is a great example.

But in a suburban backyard? Rewilding looks a little different.

Habitat Gardening - a more accurate term for Australia

Here in Australia, the term habitat gardening is often more fitting.

Because most of our gardens were never truly "wild" to begin with (more on that in a moment). What we’re doing isn’t just about rewilding in the traditional sense – it’s about creating habitat, about making space for biodiversity in the middle of our cities and suburbs.

Habitat gardening is an intentional approach to planting, where you use native species – the ones that have evolved alongside your local wildlife – to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites.

Habitat gardening, or garden rewilding, is effectively giving your garden back to nature. But in a way that works for both you and the wildlife.

The idea is to create a wildlife-friendly garden that has layers that mimic natural ecosystems. Every living thing interacting with one another and their physical environment. Think tall trees, medium-sized shrubs, and ground cover plants. Layered with rocks, sticks, mulch, and water bowls or even ponds. Every element playing a role in creating a thriving ecosystem in your garden.

Indigenous Land Management

Many of the landscapes we now think of as "natural" are actually the result of tens of thousands of years of Indigenous land stewardship. The land was tended, nurtured, and shaped through cultural practices like cool burning, plant cultivation, and seasonal knowledge.

So, while we use terms like rewilding or habitat gardening today, what we’re really talking about is restoration – bringing back what was lost when our cities and suburbs were built with little thought for the ecosystems they replaced.

Whatever you call it, the goal is the same: to bring nature back into our spaces in a way that feels intentional, beautiful, and functional.

Why Should You Rewild Your Backyard?

The why of rewilding is simple: nature needs our help.

And not as something separate from us—but because we are nature. We’re not outside of it, not above it. We are inextricably linked to every living thing on this planet.

Right now, in Australia and across the world, biodiversity loss is happening all around us. Pollinators are disappearing. Wildlife habitats are shrinking. The green spaces that once supported entire ecosystems have been replaced with concrete, lawn, and plants chosen for aesthetics rather than function.

We can bring some of it back – right in our own backyards.

Imagine if more suburban gardens and verges were planted with native species instead of exotic ornamentals or high-maintenance lawns. We’d be rebuilding food webs, supporting pollinators, and creating safe havens for native wildlife, all while making our neighbourhoods more resilient and full of life.

Even small gardens can play a role in forming habitat corridors, connecting fragmented ecosystems, and creating pathways for wildlife to move through our suburbs.

But maybe you’re thinking: That sounds nice, but does rewilding mean letting my backyard turn into an overgrown mess?

I get it. I get it. The idea of a tangle of messy vegetation teeming with life - including a few too many creatures for comfort - might not be what you had in mind. Rewilding doesn’t mean letting your yard run wild – unless you want it to.

It’s not about neglect; it’s about intention.

It might mean creating a perimeter garden full of native species, with sticks, mulch, and logs to support insects and lizards. Or replacing part of your lawn or a walkway with native groundcovers to attract bees and other pollinating insects. It could look like bird baths or nesting boxes in the trees you already have in your yard. One of my favourites, be part of a growing movement of people rewilding their front verges. No more lawn to maintain, and the wildlife will love it. Not to mention your neighbours.

Know that even the smallest changes can create a ripple effect. Inspiring the people around you to do the same.

Your garden could become a stepping stone for wildlife, connecting with other rewilded spaces in your neighbourhood and beyond.

The changes don’t have to be big. They just need to be thoughtful.

Ready to get started?

1. Find Your Climate Zone (or Bioregion)

What is a Bioregion?

A bioregion defines the natural landscape where you live, shaped by the local climate, soil, plants, animals, and geography. It’s a bit more detailed than just knowing your climate. It helps you understand the specific ecosystems that existed in your area before human intervention.

Do you really need to figure out your bioregion? Not necessarily. Simply understanding what type of climate you live in—whether it's tropical, arid, or temperate—gives you plenty of guidance to make informed plant choices. Your climate zone will help you pick native plants that naturally thrive in your conditions, which is crucial for a low-maintenance, sustainable garden. But if you’re aiming to go a step further and mimic the native ecosystems of your exact location or plant using endemic species, finding your bioregion can give you deeper insights. For most backyard gardeners, knowing your climate zone can be just as effective.

Types of Climates in Australia

Australia is home to a diverse range of climates. Knowing your climate zone gives you a broad understanding of what plants will thrive in your garden and the type of ecosystem you can create.

Finding Your Climate or Bioregion

Climate: To find your climate zone, see the image above. You can also check out the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Bioregion: For those interested in going deeper, Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) offers a map that shows the unique bioregions of the country. It’s a good place to start. It's helpful if you want to create a more ecologically precise garden, restoring native plants and habitats specific to your local area. Another way is to search by your specific state. Here’s an example of Victoria’s bioregions and another example for Queensland. In many areas, your local council pages will also have this information in greater detail, including planting lists. More on this further down.
Atlas of Living Australia: I love this site. It’s a great tool for understanding what belongs in your garden and makes it so easy to explore the biodiversity in your area. Under “Explore Your Area”, enter your location, and you’ll discover which native plants, animals, and ecosystems are natural to your backyard

2. Where to Start Looking

Australia’s regions are so diverse—what thrives in Queensland’s humidity will struggle in Victoria’s cooler climate. So, instead of listing exact plant species for every location, this is about helping you research the right plants and conditions for where you live. Here’s how I do it.

Connect With Local Experts

I’ve found that some of the best advice comes from people who have been working with native plants in your area for years. Start by tapping into local resources and people that offer a wealth of knowledge about native plants and ecosystems

Gardening Clubs & Groups: If you’re not already in a native gardening group, now’s the time! These are filled with people who have learned firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Groups like Native Plants QLD (my go-to; the community behind it is nothing short of wonderful) or community garden clubs are a great way to connect. I've found that asking one question in these groups can save hours of research.
Native Nurseries: When in doubt, head to your local nursery and talk to the growers. These people are brilliant when it comes to understanding what works for your region’s specific soil, rainfall, and climate. They’ll know the exact species that can handle your garden’s quirks.

Use Your Local Organisations

Botanic Gardens: These are absolute gems for learning about native plants. Spending time in your nearest botanic garden gives you a chance to see which plants thrive locally, what they look like at different stages, and how they grow. Even better, many gardens run workshops or tours specifically focused on native species.
Local conservation groups: These have fantastic resources, from native plant guides to volunteering opportunities.
- Landcare Australia: They're a fantastic resource for everything native plants, and they often run local projects. Perfect for anyone looking to get hands-on with rewilding efforts in their community.
- Greening Australia: They focus on large-scale restoration and biodiversity projects. But it's a great resource for region-specific advice on native planting, or if you want to contribute to bigger conservation efforts, they’ve got the resources and the know-how to guide you.

Take a Walk and Observe

Sometimes, the best way to learn what will work in your garden is to take a closer look at what’s already thriving nearby. Apps like Plantum or Google Lens can help you identify the species you encounter. Another excellent plant identification resource if you’re in NSW, is PlantNET.

Look to Local Parks and Reserves: Pay attention to the plants that are growing naturally in your local parks or reserves. If they’re doing well without anyone taking care of them, they’re likely great candidates for your backyard. Grevilleas, Wattle, Banksia, and Callistemons thrive in my area so I know they’ll work well in my garden
Observe Neighbourhood Gardens: Sometimes inspiration is as close as next door. Next time you’re out for a walk, take note of what your neighbours have planted and are having success with. It’s a simple way to figure out which species can handle your backyard's microclimate.

The really good stuff - Local Council Websites

Most councils you’ll find offer detailed guides on local ecosystems and native plants specific to your area. These council resources help you get a sense of what naturally grows in your area and give you a solid starting point for rewilding your backyard.

I refer to this Gold Coast Green your Backyard page constantly. You can use it to figure out what part of the Gold Coast you’re in, and it gives you native plant recommendations that suit your bioregion. It even shows you the different wildlife species each plant supports.

Many councils around Australia provide similar pages as my local council as well as interactive maps or species databases, which are incredibly helpful if you’re looking for region-specific plants. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them for help with particular questions; they’re there to assist! This is where you’ll also find your verge garden guidelines relevant to your area.

Below, I’ve included a sample list of some of the council and government sites by state to give you an idea of what’s out there. For the sake of brevity, I’ve only touched on a few. But it points you in the right direction to start searching closer to your home.

While writing this guide, it’s been heartening to see how much support is out there, and knowing it’s growing. There’s this exciting energy around rewilding and habitat gardening, and knowing that more and more people and local governments are getting behind it feels incredibly hopeful.

If you have a particular resource you've found helpful. Please share the love in the comments so more people can benefit!

3. Choosing The Right Plants

Understanding Native, Endemic, and Indigenous Plants

Choosing the right plants for your garden is essential for creating a space that supports local wildlife and biodiversity. This means understanding the different types of plants that belong in your region. Native, indigenous, and endemic plants are naturally adapted to your local environment, which means less work for you and a whole lot more benefit for the ecosystem around you.

In your hunt for the right plants for your garden, you’ll frequently come across these three terms.

Native Plants: Species that naturally occur in a particular region, meaning they evolved to thrive in the local environment. However, native plants can thrive in more than one area. For example, a species may be native to Australia but found in multiple regions within the country. Native plants like Eucalyptus or Grevillea are widely found across Australia because they are naturally adapted to their environments.
Indigenous Plants: A subset of native plants, but they are more specific to certain regions within Australia. They occur naturally in that area and are sometimes referred to as "local natives." These plants are genetically adapted to very local conditions—such as the climate, soil, and ecosystem of a particular suburb or region. For example, a plant may be native to Australia, but indigenous only to the coastal regions of Queensland. It’s worth noting that Indigenous is sometimes used interchangeably with Native.
Endemic Plants: These are a bit more special. Endemic species are unique to a very specific geographic area and are found nowhere else in the country. Endemic species have evolved in isolation, adapting to very specific climate, soil, and ecological conditions. This means that their survival depends heavily on the continuation of those specific environmental factors. For example, Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum) is endemic to a small region of Western Australia, while Persoonia pauciflora (North Rothbury Persoonia), a critically endangered species, is only found in a restricted area of New South Wales.

With all this information, it's important to remember that including non-native plants in your garden is perfectly okay. You can plant what you enjoy. I used non-native Dichondra Silver Falls in my gardening because I love them, and they look beautiful. If they suit your soil and climate and don't need too much care or water, they can still thrive alongside your native species.

At the end of the day, we’re creating these gardens for both wildlife and ourselves. It’s all about finding that balance between supporting biodiversity and cultivating a space we love.

Your Garden’s Soil, Microclimates, and Water Flow

This is where you need to get familiar with your garden. Learning about the soil, noticing how the shade or sun changes throughout the day, and understanding how water naturally flows or pools after rain. These factors will tell you what will thrive and help you pick plants that feel right at home.

1. Determining Your Soil Type

Soil is the foundation of your garden, so getting a feel for what you're working with is key. Here’s a simple way to figure out your soil type using just your hands:

Clay Soil: Take a handful of soil, wet it slightly, and roll it into a ball. If it forms a firm shape, and when you squeeze it, it bends like plasticine, you’ve got clay soil. Clay is great for holding nutrients and water but can easily become heavy and compacted.
Sandy Soil: If the soil crumbles in your hand and you can see or feel the sand grains, it’s sandy soil. This type doesn’t hold water or nutrients well, so it tends to dry out quickly but is easy to work with.
Loam Soil: If your soil holds together but still crumbles slightly, you’re in luck—it’s loam. Lucky you! Loam is often considered the best for growing, as it holds moisture and nutrients well but also drains effectively.

If you want to go to the next level, you can test your soil’s pH using a simple kit found at Bunnings or most nurseries. Most plants love a pH near neutral (around 7), but some might prefer more acidic or alkaline conditions.

If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty. Another brilliant tool from the CSIRO is SoilMapp, which lets you explore the soil types in your region.

2. Understanding Microclimates

Every garden has its microclimates. Little pockets where the conditions are different than elsewhere in the yard. These are influenced by factors like sunlight exposure, wind, shade, and even the proximity to structures like walls or fences. Understanding these microclimates can help you plant smarter.

Start by observing your garden at different times of the day and taking notes. Where does the sun hit hardest? Which areas remain cool and shady? A spot that bakes in the afternoon sun would best suit heat-tolerant plants, while a shady, sheltered corner might be perfect for ferns or other shade-loving species.

This short series from Gardening Australia is a little older, but still excellent advice for understanding and identifying garden microclimates.

3. Water Flow: Working with the Rain

Water flow in your garden is crucial for keeping plants healthy. Some areas might stay dry, while others tend to get waterlogged after rain. Observing how water moves through your garden will help you match the right plants to the right spots and use the rainfall to the garden's advantage.

Identifying water patterns: Look at your garden after it rains. Do certain spots hold water longer than others? Are there dry patches where water never seems to soak in? Once you’ve identified where water pools and where it flows, you can choose plants that are best suited to each area.
Managing water: You can also manage water flow through techniques like mulching, building small swales, or adding permeable paving to encourage rainwater to soak into the soil rather than running off. These methods are simple but highly effective for reducing erosion and keeping your plants happy.
Training Plants to be Water-Wise: Most plants, fresh from the nursery, have grown in conditions where they’ve been watered frequently and at regular intervals, sometimes several times a day. When you bring them home, you’ll need to slowly wean them off their high-water dependency. This is a whole newsletter on its own, so we'll explore this more later.

For more on water-wise gardening, I love this page for tips and irrigation advice.

gardening books — A few titles not mentioned below can be found in this previous newsletter.

4. Books and Design Inspo

I’ve spent a lot of time digging through books (both literally and figuratively) to find the ones that provide the best mix of practical advice and inspiration. If you’re anything like me, books can be a lifeline when starting a new project. These books have been incredibly helpful on my rewilding journey and will, I hope, be helpful to you as well.

1. Habitat by A.B. Bishop

This book is a fantastic starting point. It’s all about designing your space with nature in mind. Planting native species, attracting beneficial insects, and providing shelter for all kinds of creatures. With loads of practical tips and steps to transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem. What I love most is how it breaks things down into manageable steps, making the idea of inviting wildlife into your backyard feel possible.

2. Naturescapes by Philip Withers and AB Bishop

This one is all about sustainable gardening, getting to know your local environment, using indigenous plants, and even sourcing local materials for your garden. It's practical but with a big-picture perspective. You'll be inspired to think about where your plants come from and how your garden can reflect the natural world around you.

3. The Waterwise Australian Native Garden by Angus Stewart and AB Bishop

An absolute must for anyone gardening in Australia, filled with clever, practical ideas for creating a lush, sustainable garden that won’t guzzle water. Focusing on water-efficient gardening techniques, it’ll help you choose drought-tolerant plants, design effective irrigation systems, and create a sustainable, low-water garden that thrives even in the heat.

4. Guide to Better Gardens by Fig Landscapes

This one is for the SE Queensland to Northern NSW folks who want your garden to look beautifully designed and work with the local environment. It’s full of gorgeous garden designs for our coastal and sub-tropical conditions and climate, ensuring your garden is not only beautiful but resilient, too.

5. One Garden Against the World by Kate Bradbury

Kate Bradbury’s One Garden Against the World shares the idea that even the smallest garden can make a difference in the battle against biodiversity loss. Kate shares her personal story of transforming her urban garden into a wildlife haven, and it’s incredibly inspiring for anyone who wants to do the same, no matter where in the world you live. It’s a reminder for all of us that no matter how small your space is, you can still contribute to something much bigger. (I'm still waiting to hold a copy in Australia; I think there may have been some delays with the publishing date. So don't fret if you can't find a copy yet.)

And we’re almost done.

If you’ve made it this far. Well done! That was a lot of information to sift through. I hope you found it helpful. Any feedback is appreciated. I want this space to be useful and inspiring so more people jump on board and want to start rewilding their backyards, too.

I’d love to hear about what you’re working on in your own gardens. Share your progress, ideas, or questions in the comments. We’re all learning together, and your tips could help inspire someone else who’s just starting out.