Resources for Your Garden Journey
Whether you’re applying for the Monarch Awards or just beginning your journey toward eco-friendly gardening, these resources will help you create a space that supports biodiversity. They’re designed for home gardeners at every level.
🦋 Start Here: Eco-Friendly Gardening Practices
The Monarch Awards Team looks at these practices during every garden visit. This one-page overview, prepared by Halton Master Gardeners, is the best place to begin.
Find What You Need
🦋 Understanding the Monarch Award Levels
Use this assessment brochure to:
- tick features already in your garden
- choose some improvements to strengthen the ecological value of your garden
- track your progress towards the next level
🌻 Choose Native Plants
Plant Lists for Monarch Award Gardens
Native, keystone and local Halton/Hamilton plants from national environmental organizations.
Native Plant Nurseries
A map and listing of nurseries across Southern Ontario, maintained by Halton Master Gardeners.
🚫 Tackle Problem Plants
Invasive Plants
A list based on the Ontario Auditor General’s report, with links to photos and removal tips for each plant.
Noxious Weeds
Ontario’s 25 regulated noxious weeds, with links to photos and identification info.
🌱 Learn the Basics
Hamilton Pollinator Paradise Toolkit
Step-by-step help with site, plant choices, seasonal care, soil, water and small spaces.
Network of Nature
A Canadian species directory, planting guides and articles on native plants.
Gardening Terms
Definitions of general and ecological gardening terms.
🎥 Watch & Explore
Why native plants?
A Fresh Look at Gardening – Cathy Kavassalis
Caring for your garden through the year
Your Nature Friendly Garden Through the Year – K. Sault & B. Wagar
Why ecological gardens matter
Conservation that Starts in Your Yard – Doug Tallamy
More to Explore
More videos, presentations and web resources.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Pick the stage that sounds most like your garden today.
- Starting the Journey – Read the At-A-Glance, then choose a few plants from the Plant Lists and find them at a native plant nursery.
- Caterpillar – Identify and replace invasive plants, and use the Pollinator Paradise Toolkit to add bloom through the seasons.
- Chrysalis – Add layers and keystone species with Network of Nature, and watch Your Nature Friendly Garden Through the Year.
- Monarch – Keep learning with Doug Tallamy’s talk and More to Explore, and share what you’ve learned with neighbours.