Dear Swan Lake Friends:
It’s time to mark your calendar and save-the-date for our Annual Native Plant Sale!
Would you like a hassle free garden? Consider using native plants to turn your garden into a beautiful oasis.Using native plants in your gardening and landscaping has many advantages including less maintenance, avoidance of bringing invasive species into your ecosystem, and the possible reduction of money, water, and overall fuss in your gardening.During our Native Plant Sale, we will have over a hundred different species available for purchase that attract and support specific wildlife like caterpillars, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds in your back yard. A list of the species is available here: Native Plant ListCheck out our website for more information on this event, programs and general information at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
- 3873 Swan Lake Road (at the Nature House)
- May 17th and May 18th, 2014 (9am-3pm)
- Please bring boxes or flats for your plants.
- Parking is limited. We encourage carpooling.
How to Make a Garden with Native Plants:
1. Research Your Local Flora
Know your endangered and threatened plants. Unfortunately, some plants should not be transplanted for any reason. Even plants that may look ordinary like ferns, may be off-limits. Check with your areas endangered and threatened species list.
Some plants may live and thrive in your area, and some may actually be pests. Know what local plants are dangerous to have around (for example: poison ivy or stinging nettle).
2. How to Make it Grow
Some plants germinate from seeds, others clone themselves, or come from tubers or runners. The way your specific plant grows is important to know so that you can nurture it the right way. Plants can either live in the sun, shade, sandy soil, clay soil, damp soil, or on rocks. Observe the environment and plant accordingly. Google the plant species to learn more about their specific needs.
3. When is a Good Time to Cultivate?
Along with knowing how to nurture your plant, it’s important to understand when the appropriate time is to plant them. For many plants, spring is an excellent time to transplant or plant as the native species are often more receptive to change than mature plants are. Mid to late summer or during the fall is an excellent time to save seeds or bulbs for planting the following spring.
4. Transplant or Grow Native Plants in Similar Conditions
Plants are often adapted to a certain type of soil, amount of sun, or their current water conditions. If transplanting your plants, make sure they are going into similar conditions within your own backyard garden. TIP: Plants with large leaves usually love shade and plants with big flowers typically need lots of sun.
5. Give Your Wild Plants Some TLC
While well-established, mature plants are usually low-maintenance, young plants will need to be watered regularly and if needed, weeded and protected from frost.
6. Wildflower Seeds Need Preparation
If you buy wildflower seeds, be sure to read the soil preparation information on the back of the container as they may have specific needs.
7. Consider Your Gardenscape
Although plants naturally habitate in gardens, rock gardens can also lend themselves to natural planting environments as well as fences made from branches.
