Schoolyard Habitat Design Handbook
This handbook is a tool to guide Schoolyard Habitat project teams through the process of designing natural habitat spaces on their school grounds.

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Site Assessment Questionnaire
Use this site assessment questionnaire to evaluate your site conditions and assess your project goals.

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Native Plants
Sonoma County Schoolyard Habitats primarily incorporate Northern California native plants that are drought resilient and carefully selected to thrive in your garden conditions. Check out Native Plant Guides to learn more about the special characteristics of your plants, as well as their watering and sunlight needs.

Tips for Native Habitat Design & Plant Selection

• Tips for Creating Habitat from School Garden Network 

• Calscape Database of native plants, and their benefits and planting needs (pre-made signs are also at the bottom of each plant page)
• Calscape Bay Area Native Plant Garden Planner
• Gardening Tips and Planners from CNPS​
• Guide to Choosing Native Plants from CNPS
• ​Wucols Plant Database for making a folder of desired plants for your location

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Site Preparation & Planting
Tips for site preparation and planting, with considerations to soil texture, compaction, drainage, fertility, and weed and gopher presence.

• Basic soil testing guide to understand your soil type (which can also help guide your plant selection)
• Guide to Site Preparation & Planting by School Garden Network
• Tips on Site Prep and Planting from CNPS​

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Waterwise Gardening
Mulching

• Daily Acts Sheet Mulching Guide
• Quick video on Student Sheet Mulching Action

Drip Irrigation

• Daily Acts Drip Irrigation Guide

• ​​Daily Act's Tips on Water Conservation

Other Resources

• More tips and resources on the Daily Acts' Resource page
• Also, watch Daily Acts' past webinars on sheet mulching, backyard composting, drip irrigation, rain tanks, and so much more!

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Seasonal Habitat Maintenance
Learn about how to take care of your plants with easy seasonal maintenance.

• Tips for Native Plant Gardening from CNPS
• General Seasonal Maintenance Tips from School Garden Network [coming soon]

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Schoolyard Habitat Support Group
Contact the Schoolyard Habitat Support Group with your ongoing questions! This support group is composed of various local experts in native habitat design, drip irrigation, and seasonal garden maintenance.

Questions? Email our Schoolyard Habitat Program Manager!
Michelle.Krieg@schoolgardens.org