One question frequently arises as gardeners are inspired to transition away from traditional gardens filled with non-native plants and lawn: where do I start? On Sunday, October 20 at 1 pm in Jennison Hall at Bentley University, 175 Forest Street in Waltham, horticulturist Dan Jaffe will help us explore a range of strategies for making a landscape more ecologically beneficial, given the size of the site and the resources available. Dan will delve deeply into plant selection, from choosing species with high value to biodiversity, to finding ones that thrive in challenging spots. He will also discuss key changes to landscaping practices that are just as important as shifting to a native plant palette. Whether you are an experienced gardener looking for a fresh approach, or a novice looking for the best way to begin, this program will give you the tools to create a beautiful and biodiverse landscape. The program is $42 for Grow Native Mass members, $52 for nonmembers. Register at www.grownativemass.org

Dan Jaffe is the horticulturist and staff photographer at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. He served as the plant propagator at Native Plant Trust for nine years, and is passionate about ecological horticulture, and building wildlife value into every landscape. He is the co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, which was published in the spring of 2018.