Native Plants Promote Biodiversity and Healthy Ecosystem
Over thousands of years wild plants, insects, microorganisms, and animals have adapted and evolved together. Insects are essential for food production and our survival as humans. Insect populations have declined approximately 50% across most of the world in the last 15 years.
Native plants benefits:
- Have adapted to thrive in our regions soil and weather conditions
- Restore a health environment and create wildlife habitat
- Have deep roots which slow stormwater runoff and improve water quality while reducing erosion, carbon and excess nutrients
- No fertilizer or extra watering required once established
- Act as natural pest controls and reduce need for pesticides
- Provide quality foot and shelter for birds and wildlife
Tips:
- Plant densely to avoid them from flopping over. General rule is one plant every square foot. Also reduces/eliminates need for mulching.
- Remove turf areas using sod cutting, solarization and/or smothering. If possible, do not use herbicides.
- Remove non-native species. Consult local plant groups about information regarding effective removal of invasive plants.
- Add native trees and shrubs for long-living structure, habitat, and interest.
- Consider adding stepping stones for large garden areas.
- Consider ID markers to help remember what should be (or not be) in your garden.
- Seed annuals to provide color and interest during first year of having a new garden. Examples: partridge pea, rocky mountain bee plant, fleabane
- Minimize soil disturbance to limit weed growth from existing soil seed bank.
- When flowers finish blooming, leave seed heads for birds.
- Old plant stems provide place for many wild bees to lay eggs, cut at least 2’ off ground.
- Leave the leaves. Leaf litter in garden provides nutrients for soil and shelter for overwintering bees and butterfly chrysalises.
- Limit outside night lighting by using motion sensors and warm colored LED bulbs.
- Use Chelsea chop mid-June for fuller plants and more blooms on plants that bloom at end of summer or fall.
- Use straight species. Avoid cultivars or nativars. Any plant that has added name in quotations or trademarked.
Organizations/Groups:
Homegrown National Park
National Wildlife Federation
WildOnes – national and local groups
Local Facebook Group – IC Native-Plant Gardeners and Enthusiasts
Tallgrass Prairie Center – tallgrassprairiecenter.org
Iowa Native Plant Society – iowanativeplants.org
Xerces Society – xerces.org
Bur Oak Land Trust – buroaklandtrust.org
Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa – conservationcorps.org
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation – inhf.org
Iowa Prairie Network – www.iowaprairienetwork.org
Sierra Club Iowa Chapter – sierraclub.org/iowa