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Grass Isn't Greener: The Everyday Conservationist's Guide to Bringing Nature to Your Yard
Built around easy-to-digest tips for improving sustainability, this fun, action-oriented guide will help everyone turn their home garden into an earth-friendly habitat.
Rooted in twenty practical steps that anyone can take starting today, Grass Isn’t Greener demonstrates how small changes in your yard or garden can create lasting impact for the from leaving your leaves to selecting eco-friendly holiday decorations; from eliminating light pollution to attracting wildlife; from saving seeds to devoting even a small patch of lawn to native plants. With easy-to-follow advice and real-life examples, conservation educator Danae Wolfe will help you appreciate the new life you’ve attracted to your yard. A companion for new homeowners, renters, and gardeners, Grass Isn't Greener is a resource for anyone looking for little ways to make a big difference—and to have fun doing it.
Rooted in twenty practical steps that anyone can take starting today, Grass Isn’t Greener demonstrates how small changes in your yard or garden can create lasting impact for the from leaving your leaves to selecting eco-friendly holiday decorations; from eliminating light pollution to attracting wildlife; from saving seeds to devoting even a small patch of lawn to native plants. With easy-to-follow advice and real-life examples, conservation educator Danae Wolfe will help you appreciate the new life you’ve attracted to your yard. A companion for new homeowners, renters, and gardeners, Grass Isn't Greener is a resource for anyone looking for little ways to make a big difference—and to have fun doing it.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
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74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2025
Early spring gets me excited to read gardening books and I confess that I was hooked by the title. The author is new to me, but her writing style, the presentation of the book, the pictures and graphics were all very attractive to me. I was glad to page through and further my amateur gardening education.
Over the years, I made some decisions about my yard and garden by simply following personal inclination. On moving in, we planted some more indigenous trees, bushes, wilder beds, raised beds, compost heap areas, and this resulted in reducing the amount of actual grass in our yard by more than half. We didn’t sweat it when clover and other types of green cover growth pushed out grass. This non-grass was just as green, just as easy on bare feet, and required less water so we went with it.
That brings me to water. I grew up where water was a premium, especially in the warmer months when we always had watering restrictions so I took advantage of this Great Lakes’ regions large amounts of precipitation to hydrate our yard and plants rather than the hose. We have rain barrels that provide what’s needed for garden beds, water-gathering containers open to bug, bird, and animal visitors needing a drink or bath. We’ve used the old leaves, twigs and pine needles and the small amount of grass cuttings we do have to create a mulch rather than buy that dyed stuff to lay over the garden and beds to help hold the moisture in the soil.
I say all that to make a point. What I didn’t realize was all that we’d been doing was in line with an actual conservationist movement out there and the point of this book.
Grass Isn’t Greener is an introduction into this conservationist movement. The author explains why this is important for the environment, for ecosystems, for our very sustenance. She explains how to bring it about, and how to make it mutually enjoyed by the wild animals and the family residents alike. She gives advice for those who might have city or home owner association rules about yards. Lots of advice for turning the yard into a place where bugs, birds, and other animals can share the space and why keeping it friendly to them is so important for all of us. There are hints about dealing with pests and yard care without needing to resort to chemicals. Advice about ditching the loud lawn care equipment (leaf blowers are anathema!) and even having a thought for reducing light and sound pollution.
And for those of us who get a heavy annual fall of leaves and start muttering after a few weeks of raking duty each autumn, the author gives us permission to be a little lazy. There is a big plea for folks to let their yards look a little shabby by not raking up every last leaf or stray twig to help the soil and the creatures. Again, I’d already started realizing when I began doing composting that the leaves which provided shade all summer could still do some good by becoming mulch for the soil when they decomposed. And, my husband was particularly taken with the part when she advises that if you really must keep a lawn then reduce the mows each year and let the grass grow a little longer between mows. She mentions the British yard movement spreading to the US called #NoMowMay.
Grass Isn’t Greener is more common sense and simple suggestions- rather more for the beginner and dilettante gardener like myself than someone more advanced or a pro. It’s a call to going back to nature- really getting to know what grows or lives native to the region where one lives, restoring, and maintaining that in one’s small slice of the world.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.14.25.
Over the years, I made some decisions about my yard and garden by simply following personal inclination. On moving in, we planted some more indigenous trees, bushes, wilder beds, raised beds, compost heap areas, and this resulted in reducing the amount of actual grass in our yard by more than half. We didn’t sweat it when clover and other types of green cover growth pushed out grass. This non-grass was just as green, just as easy on bare feet, and required less water so we went with it.
That brings me to water. I grew up where water was a premium, especially in the warmer months when we always had watering restrictions so I took advantage of this Great Lakes’ regions large amounts of precipitation to hydrate our yard and plants rather than the hose. We have rain barrels that provide what’s needed for garden beds, water-gathering containers open to bug, bird, and animal visitors needing a drink or bath. We’ve used the old leaves, twigs and pine needles and the small amount of grass cuttings we do have to create a mulch rather than buy that dyed stuff to lay over the garden and beds to help hold the moisture in the soil.
I say all that to make a point. What I didn’t realize was all that we’d been doing was in line with an actual conservationist movement out there and the point of this book.
Grass Isn’t Greener is an introduction into this conservationist movement. The author explains why this is important for the environment, for ecosystems, for our very sustenance. She explains how to bring it about, and how to make it mutually enjoyed by the wild animals and the family residents alike. She gives advice for those who might have city or home owner association rules about yards. Lots of advice for turning the yard into a place where bugs, birds, and other animals can share the space and why keeping it friendly to them is so important for all of us. There are hints about dealing with pests and yard care without needing to resort to chemicals. Advice about ditching the loud lawn care equipment (leaf blowers are anathema!) and even having a thought for reducing light and sound pollution.
And for those of us who get a heavy annual fall of leaves and start muttering after a few weeks of raking duty each autumn, the author gives us permission to be a little lazy. There is a big plea for folks to let their yards look a little shabby by not raking up every last leaf or stray twig to help the soil and the creatures. Again, I’d already started realizing when I began doing composting that the leaves which provided shade all summer could still do some good by becoming mulch for the soil when they decomposed. And, my husband was particularly taken with the part when she advises that if you really must keep a lawn then reduce the mows each year and let the grass grow a little longer between mows. She mentions the British yard movement spreading to the US called #NoMowMay.
Grass Isn’t Greener is more common sense and simple suggestions- rather more for the beginner and dilettante gardener like myself than someone more advanced or a pro. It’s a call to going back to nature- really getting to know what grows or lives native to the region where one lives, restoring, and maintaining that in one’s small slice of the world.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.14.25.
February 14, 2025
Grass Isn’t Greener is a beautiful book that would be best for beginners/ those new to the topics. The book dives into 20 topics, so it covers a wide breadth and not a lot within each topic. The boom would be great to be introduced to lots of ideas, that you can then further research. The book does not introduce any new or novel concepts, so for some readers it won’t be value added.
I read an ARC.
I read an ARC.
May 15, 2025
This was a great little introductory guide into some greener ways to live in your home. It was basic, easy to understand, and very informative. I especially enjoyed the DIY tips provided and now have an obsession with water areas for birds and butterflies. I also now know some better ways to kill my grass to start planting native flowers! I really enjoyed the read and the great pictures. Definitely recommend for those trying to make small changes in their lives to better our planet!
Thank you to Timber Press publishing for providing me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Thank you to Timber Press publishing for providing me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my review.
April 1, 2025
A practical guide for transforming your yard from turf/grass to plants native to your area, this book outlines some high-level steps for making the change (and a host of reasons to do it). I appreciate books like this, but the problem is that the nation and the world is so large with such diverse climates that it's hard to know which advice will be truly relevant - and hard to add truly useful specifics to a book that isn't region-specific. Still, a good starter manual.
January 7, 2025
Yes, please buy this book. I’ll give an automatic 4.5 stars to any book that encourages lessening your lawn, planting more native plants, getting rid of invasive plants and creating safe spaces for wildlife. I’m excited to hold the actual book in my hands and place it in my home library.
Full of important, yet often simple ways to encourage a more sustainable yard. There are also little projects in here ranging from easy peasy (bird feeders) to weekend projects (building a pond).
Great book for a new homeowner or anyone looking to make the planet a more livable place.
Full of important, yet often simple ways to encourage a more sustainable yard. There are also little projects in here ranging from easy peasy (bird feeders) to weekend projects (building a pond).
Great book for a new homeowner or anyone looking to make the planet a more livable place.
June 28, 2025
Need some inspiration to save the world by doing less? Or are you just interested in gorgeous nature photos? This book offers both. It’s a call to be more mindful about nature, while emphasizing that doing less can be an important step in conservation—less chemicals, but also less raking.
As the author acknowledges at the end, the book is primarily for people with access to a yard and the ability to change how they tend that space. However, the book covers topics from composting to nature art, so it’s a fun, thorough introduction to anyone looking to learn more about conservation at home.
As the author acknowledges at the end, the book is primarily for people with access to a yard and the ability to change how they tend that space. However, the book covers topics from composting to nature art, so it’s a fun, thorough introduction to anyone looking to learn more about conservation at home.
July 7, 2025
Good advice for making your yard friendlier for local wildlife. Excellent examples on how to plant, grow and maintain native shrubs, add water features or reduce light pollution.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 25, 2025
Excellent ideas for everyone to use to help heal our world. She has great suggestions without sounding critical or harsh.
June 8, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Grass Isn't Greener is an accessible, interesting, and often sobering look at natural diversity and the benefits of natural plantings over grass lawn and monoculture in suburban and exurban spaces by Danae Wolfe. Released 13th May 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
According to the WHO one of the biggest threats to humanity is the loss of biodiversity across climates and geographical areas. Supporting biodiversity in our immediate area is something tangible which everyone can do to some degree. The author gives concrete, implementable, often surprisingly simple suggestions in the chapters which most people can do without major disruption. These include leaving leaves, save and use seeds, improve soil with compost, support and attract local pollinators and wildlife, control/limit light pollution, reduce or eliminate pesticide use, and more.
It's written in layman accessible language, simple enough for readers to understand and encouraging enough to raise enthusiasm. It's a practical and hands-on approach.
Graphically, it's simple and direct. There's a ton of photography throughout, high quality, clear, and in color.
Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, community gardens, activity groups, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Grass Isn't Greener is an accessible, interesting, and often sobering look at natural diversity and the benefits of natural plantings over grass lawn and monoculture in suburban and exurban spaces by Danae Wolfe. Released 13th May 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
According to the WHO one of the biggest threats to humanity is the loss of biodiversity across climates and geographical areas. Supporting biodiversity in our immediate area is something tangible which everyone can do to some degree. The author gives concrete, implementable, often surprisingly simple suggestions in the chapters which most people can do without major disruption. These include leaving leaves, save and use seeds, improve soil with compost, support and attract local pollinators and wildlife, control/limit light pollution, reduce or eliminate pesticide use, and more.
It's written in layman accessible language, simple enough for readers to understand and encouraging enough to raise enthusiasm. It's a practical and hands-on approach.
Graphically, it's simple and direct. There's a ton of photography throughout, high quality, clear, and in color.
Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, community gardens, activity groups, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
November 14, 2025
I saw this in the new-book display at my library and was interested in reading it because I love gardening, native plants, and wildlife. It is a very readable and well researched book, largely targeting a general audience, with lots of helpful information about increasing the wildlife value of one's yard. It also has some tips on how one can advocate for wildlife even if one doesn't have a yard of one's own. The author is multitalented, taking most of the (excellent) photos in the book in addition to writing all the text. As a former newspaper copy editor, I give this book 5 stars for its outstanding chapter titles and subheads alone! (Great use of puns, rhymes and alliteration!) The copy was very well proofread, and I found only one mistake, when she discusses how to create a "toad adobe." (That's a mistake that a spell checker wouldn't catch.) This encouraging, optimistic book not only gives a wonderful overview of the many issues involved in wildlife gardening but also provides a multitude of practical tips and ideas for nurturing native plants and wildlife in one's yard or town, as well as nurturing a love of nature in younger generations. One chapter delves into the benefits of resting and playing in nature, and ways to encourage children to explore nature. I was amused to notice that all of the photos were of the same boy at different ages and in different outfits, so I surmise it is the author's own child. The book also includes a glossary at the back that would help readers new to the subject. Gardeners, birders and other naturalists will already be familiar with most of the information in the book, but the book is a terrific introduction to wildlife gardening for newcomers while still offering some good ideas for those with more experience.
December 1, 2025
This is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to transform their yard into a sustainable, wildlife-friendly space. Danae Wolfe’s approach is refreshingly practical: she breaks down eco-conscious gardening into 20 manageable steps, making it easy for beginners to dive in without feeling overwhelmed. From leaving fallen leaves to reducing light pollution, each tip is straightforward and backed by real-life examples. The section on attracting pollinators was especially eye-opening--I never realized how much impact even a small native plant patch could have! The DIY projects sprinkled throughout (like creating water features for birds) added a fun, hands-on element. The book’s tone is encouraging, not preachy, which makes sustainability feel achievable rather than daunting. Wolfe also addresses common hurdles, like HOA restrictions or skeptical neighbors, offering clever workarounds. And the photos are great!
If you’re a new homeowner, renter with a patio, or seasoned gardener looking to go greener, this book is a must-read. It’s packed with small changes that add up to big benefits for the planet—and it might just make you fall in love with your "messy" yard.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
If you’re a new homeowner, renter with a patio, or seasoned gardener looking to go greener, this book is a must-read. It’s packed with small changes that add up to big benefits for the planet—and it might just make you fall in love with your "messy" yard.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 25, 2025
This book provides a nice introduction and overview for turning your yard into "an oasis for nature and wildlife." The author covers soil types, using native plants in your landscaping, and growing your own food. There is also information on seed starting, composting, and helping kids discover the wonders of nature right in their own backyard. There's even a bit on environmentally friendly holiday decor. This would be a great guide for anyone interested in helping to save the planet . . . one yard at a time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for sharing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for sharing.
May 6, 2025
Easy to read and full of good information and beautiful pictures. Lots of tips to make your yard beautiful anad safe for wildlife. Everything from getting rid of your grass, to planting natives and attacting wildlife. Excellent information to put you on the path to make small changes in your yard that will help the planet, the insects and you!
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
December 29, 2024
This is a beautiful, helpful book on creating a natural yard. Covers everything you can think of, from tick control to seed saving to leaves to dealing with neighbors. It’s full of gorgeous photos, tons of info and inspiration.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.
November 3, 2025
A great, easy-to-follow, overview of many practical (and achievable) ways to make our spaces more welcoming to nature. It's really encouraging to learn about small steps that help preserve our world. (Also, great photography... especially the bugs!)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews