One of the most fundamental decisions gardeners make is whether to plant native or exotic species. Native plants are ones that grew in a specific area before settlers brought in foreign species, such as trees suited to the local climate and the native soil over the course of thousands of years. They typically need less maintenance than turf and are more resistant to local crops pests and diseases, and provide critical habitat and food for native wildlife. This can be told through the incorporation of native plants that can help provide a balance in the ecosystem and support local biodiversity.