The Slow-Mo Rewilding Program

Three-Year Successional Rewilding Plan

Transform your yard the same way forests rebuild after fire: slowly, steadily, and through the power of ecological succession.

Our three-year monthly rewilding program guides your landscape from bland to biodiverse by building soil health, creating habitat, and long-term resilience in stages that let the plants do the heavy lifting.

Our goal is to transition your yard from traditional landscaping to a fully functioning native plant ecosystem within 3 years using natural successional processes.

Read more in our blog post: “How to Rewild Like a Forest After a Fire.”

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Once your new little forest and or meadow ecosystems are established, they become more self-sufficient, diverse, and resilient over time—landscapes that truly get better with neglect.

Seasonal Breakdown of Our Work

Summer (July–September) — Disturbance & Structure

Land Sculpting: Excavation for rainwater gardens, wetlands, swales, dry riverbeds, and ponds.

Site Prep: Spread and shape large volumes of wood chips

• Placing logs, woody debris, and “bug snugs” to jumpstart soil food webs

• Soil building through covering bare ground and increasing microbial habitat.

Water Monitoring: moisture and water flow patterns in first-year planting areas

Summer work sets the physical foundation. Logs, chips, and debris increase fungal biomass, create nutrient sinks, and protect soil from heat—key early drivers of ecological succession.

Fall (October–November) — Pioneer Wave Begins

Targeted invasive species removal: root energy is shifting downward, soil is moist and loose

Prep: Preparing planting pockets and fall seed beds

• Continuing soil building and adding organic structure, and leaving the leaves

Planting pioneer species: stabilize soil and outcompete weeds

Fall is ideal for invasive control because plants are storing carbohydrates in their roots, making removals more effective and reducing resprouting.

Winter (November–February) — Peak Planting & Seeding

Prep: Preparing planting pockets and fall seed beds

• Continuing soil building and adding organic structure, and leaving the leaves

Planting pioneer species: stabilize soil and outcompete weeds.

• Seeding meadows and understories

• Installing bare-root shrubs and young trees

• Propagating by division and cuttings to expand native plant communities

• Creating conditions for explosive spring growth

Native plants establish best during winter because they evolved to root in cold, moist soil—allowing deep establishment before summer drought.

Spring (March–June) — Establishment & Early Growth

Targeted invasive species removal: root energy is shifting downward, soil is moist and loose

Monitoring moisture, germination, shade development, and soil structure

Light habitat structuring and early-season planting when appropriate

Spring is the ideal time to interrupt invasive seedling recruitment before they become competitive, protecting your young native community.

What We Don’t Do

We are not a mowing/edging/weekly-maintenance service. We do not mow lawns, pull every weed, “clean up” natural habitat, or maintain a manicured aesthetic. Traditional maintenance keeps landscapes static; ecological management protects the developing ecosystem, encourages resilience, and ensures the trees and shrubs grow strong and healthy.

Material Storage Requirements

You’ll need a place for storing soil, logs, and wood chips between July and September. These materials are essential for summer restructuring and must be on-site during that time.

Why Three Years?

Succession takes time. Forests don’t go from bare ground to old growth in one season—and neither do rewilded yards. We guide your landscape through:

• Pioneer Stage (Year 1): Fast growers, soil builders, pollinator plantsExamples: yarrow, Oregon sunshine, Douglas aster, Roemer’s fescue

• Intermediate Stage (Years 2–3): Shrubs and perennials that add structureExamples: red-flowering currant, oceanspray, wild rose, blue elderberry

• Climax Stage (Year 3+): Long-lived shrubs and small treesExamples: serviceberry, vine maple, evergreen huckleberry, Oregon white oak

Each stage sets conditions for the next, just like in natural forests.

Program Cost

Plans start at $350 per month. Every yard is unique, so we’ll provide a free, itemized estimate that includes your plant and seed budget, materials, and seasonal tasks. Large yards can be completed in sections if preferred.

Ready to Rewild?

If you'd like to join the program or get a free estimate, just let me know. I'd love to help your yard begin its succession story—from disturbance to a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem that supports wildlife, pollinators, and you.

Let nature lead. We’ll help you follow it.