A friendly, hands-on way to help Central New York neighbors start their first native plant gardens – and build lasting connections along the way.
What Is the Garden Buddies Program?
Garden Buddies pairs enthusiastic HGCNY members who have already converted their own lawns to native plants with homeowners, schools, and community organizations that have decided they want a native garden and just need some friendly, experienced guidance to get started.
If you’ve been thinking about turning part (or all) of your sterile lawn or underused space into a beautiful, wildlife-friendly native plant garden but feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to begin — Garden Buddies can help.
→ Garden Buddies may be exactly what you need.
What Do They Do?
- An initial friendly yard visit (usually two Buddies) to talk vision, sunlight, soil, deer pressure, existing plants and invasives.
- Help you think through practical next steps: simple layout ideas, lawn-removal options, whether soil testing makes sense, and (when you’re ready) native plant suggestions that fit your site.
- Ongoing encouragement and advice by email – plant sourcing ideas, planting tips, first-year maintenance, and answering your questions as they come up.
We’re neighbors sharing what we’ve learned, not paid consultants. The garden is yours – you stay in the driver’s seat for schedule, budget, and how much you take on. We’ll meet you where you are and help make the process less overwhelming.
Read the Latest Garden Buddies Buzz…
- Garden Buddies Takes Root!HGCNY’s new Garden Buddies program is off to a good start. Led by Diana Green, three Garden Buddies have visited two school-based native garden projects and one homeowner who wants to add native plantings to her yard. The homeowner visit was with a new homeowner who is dedicated to transforming her yard into a native… Read more: Garden Buddies Takes Root!
Who Are the Garden Buddies?
Regular HGCNY members who have ripped out their own lawns, killed grass (sometimes the hard way), figured out what actually grows in Central New York clay, and are excited to help others avoid the same mistakes. We’re enthusiastic and experienced, but definitely not “experts.”
Have some native gardening experience and love cheering people on?
→ We need you! Click “Become a Garden Buddy”.
Why Do We Do This?
Because native gardens feed pollinators and birds, filter stormwater, cool our neighborhoods, and store carbon. We need many more of them to meaningfully support our native ecosystems. For most people, though, the first step can feel overwhelming. A Buddy’s practical support and experience make the process far more manageable – and many new gardeners go on to become active chapter members.
Want to help someone else discover the joy of native gardening (and grow our community at the same time)? Click on the “Become a Garden Buddy” button below to get started.
Thank you for helping us grow more native gardens across Central New York—one yard at a time!