How to get started

IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT...

Imagine immersing yourself in the process of transforming your outdoor space into a stunning, sustainable native garden. Not only will it be designed with your personal tastes and your garden’s unique characteristics in mind, but you’ll also receive expert guidance every step of the way.

That’s the North Branch Natives' Consultation with Garden Action Plan—a comprehensive, personalized approach to creating your dream native garden. It’s not just about planting; it’s about building a garden that’s beautiful, ecological, and tailored to your needs. Our team will be there to walk you through each decision, ensuring that your garden reflects your style while supporting biodiversity.

Our gardens are built to thrive in Chicago’s unique environment. Whether you’re working with a small backyard or a sprawling front yard, we’ll design a space that works for you—one that’s low-maintenance and brings the beauty of native plants right to your doorstep.

"Gardening with native plants has transformed my yard.  Personally, it's brought me so much joy.  NBN has taught me that a garden can constantly evolve and has given me the confidence to experiment each season.  AND, I'll always have something to look forward to!" —Dana D., Jeff Park, Chicago

Want to hear more garden success stories? Click here to read about how Ryn M. of Jeff Park transformed her backyard lawn into a pollinator haven!

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How it works:


• Book your Consultation with Garden Action Plan on our website. 
This is where your garden transformation starts. Click here to purchase on our website and secure your place in line. Spring is our busiest time, so don't wait! 

• Schedule your site visit / give us some background on your garden goals.
Once we've received your order, we'll contact you via email to schedule your site visit and have you fill out our brief questionnaire. This will help us get a little background on your garden goals and experience level.

• Our team visits your space.
We’ll come to your property to assess the soil, sunlight, and other unique aspects of your garden. This will help us recommend the perfect plants that will thrive in your space. We'll discuss everything from your vision for the space, what plants are already there, how to prep your garden areas, and how you use the space. You'll also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the process, garden layout, or plant types. These site visits typically last 30 minutes to an hour.

• Receive your personalized Action Plan.
We take all the information we discussed at the visit and develop a detailed action plan that includes:

Instructions on how to prep your space for planting 

A map of your garden to help visualize the placement of new plantings and break up your overall space into manageable sections

A curated list of native plants chosen to fit your space

A planting layout for optimal plant placement

• Get gardening!
After you receive the Action Plan, you can decide how you want to approach your garden projects. Want to take it bit by bit? Tackle it all at once? Use your Action Plan as a reference to help guide your garden implementation and make your dreams a reality. 

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How long does it take?

• Initial consultation and site visit
Once we receive your order, we’ll schedule your site visit within 1 week.

• Action Plan
You’ll receive your personalized Action Plan within 2 weeks after the site visit.

• Implementation time
If you decide to move forward with planting services, we can schedule the work based on your availability. Garden installation usually takes 1-2 days depending on the project size.

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Pricing

• Full Consultation with Action Plan: $375
This includes:

  • Site visit and assessment

  • Detailed Action Plan

  • Garden help and mentorship, every step of the way! 

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Then what?

You can customize our other services to get a fit that works for you and your garden. Here are how some of our other gardeners have implemented their plans:

• Done all the site prep themselves (remove weeds, dig out lawn, remove landscape fabric- cheers to the ever-energetic DIYers!).

• Hired our expert-horticulturist hands with our Garden Together option to have us work alongside you to get your space ready. We've helped people weed out unruly areas, re-edge garden beds, dig out old shrubs, and so much more!

• Hired our garden crew for Garden Stewardship to help with the heavy-lifting.

Once your space is all ready, you can then book us for our Planting Service! For more information on that + a list of plants we use, click here.

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Our Favorite Kinds of Projects

Sustainable, Pollinator-Friendly Gardens
Looking to support local wildlife while enhancing the beauty of your yard? We specialize in creating gardens that attract pollinators, improve biodiversity, and look gorgeous year-round.

Upcycling Your Existing Space
Got a garden that needs a refresh? We love working with homeowners who want to breathe new life into their outdoor spaces, using sustainable, native plants that complement what’s already there.

Family-Friendly Gardens
Creating a safe and beautiful space for your family? We can design a garden that’s low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and a perfect space for kids to explore and play.