How to Reject the Status Quo with A Rebel Garden (Part Two of Three)

The hardest part of changing your yard isn’t the shovel work, it’s the moment you decide the “perfect lawn” game isn’t worth playing anymore. I’m continuing our three-part series on growing a rebel garden with the second phase: Reject. If you’ve ever felt stuck between keeping 100% turf and going 100% native, I’ll show you the wide, realistic middle ground where a small, intentional garden can shift your whole landscape over time.

We dig into the real reasons people don’t start: fear of what neighbors will think, fear it’ll look messy, fear you’ll kill plants, and fear you’re signing up for more work. I make the case for rejecting perfection and choosing participation instead. Your first rebel garden can be small (I recommend staying under 250 square feet), flexible, and designed for easy wins. I’ll also walk you through a quick site reality check so you pick a spot you’ll actually see, enjoy, and maintain while it establishes.

Then we get practical: safety and planning. Before you dig, call 811 for utility locates. It’s free, it’s simple, and it protects you and your property. Finally, we tackle the most controversial step for many homeowners: removing turf. I explain the tension around using glyphosate as a one-time transition tool, why purpose and frequency matter, and what alternatives look like if you want to avoid chemicals. The goal stays the same: move away from ongoing chemical dependency and build a low-input, wildlife-friendly native plant garden that supports pollinators, birds, clean water, and healthy soil.

If this matches your values, join me for the 10-day Rebel Garden Challenge starting June 19th. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor who’s tired of lawn upkeep, and leave a review so more people can find a better way to grow.

Join A Rebel Garden in Ten Days Challenge!

Learn more about getting your own Rebel Garden at ABetterYard.org.