Plant a garden AND native plants

“…backyards landscaped with native plants drew native birds, and non-native landscaping attracted non-native birds.”

U.S. Forest Service
How people manage their yards can help, or not help, native wildlife by Jane Hodgins (April 9th, 2019)

Shelter in Place

It appears that many of us will be out in our yards this spring and summer as we keep our social distancing habits in check. Because health officials estimate this pandemic could last up to 18 months, they encourage us to plant gardens, so we have fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the coming months. Canning is definitely one of the “new black” for 2020.

No matter how long this will last, we know we’re in place through April. Planting time is now.

I’ve been watching Maria Kondo to encourage my clothes purging, I started thinking that this could also work for our yards.

Home Yards go Native

In the city, our yards make up most of the green space that protects our wildlife like birds and butterflies. As cities spread, our yards have become even more important in the ecological cycle of plants and animals. As the quote states, native plants support native species.

So like Maria Kondo, let’s thank them and then say goodbye to invasive, non-native plants for our areas. Let’s go plant native.

Online Search

Searching, I found resources that might prove to be helpful for you.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species: How You Can Make a Difference

From The University of Georgia, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Tifton, GA (2013)

This pamphlet from the University of Georgia is full of useful information. For example, they suggest everyone who can — to plant at least one oak tree that’s native to North America. Our native oaks “…support over 500 species of native butterflies and moths, as well as, other wildlife including birds, deer, and squirrels.”

The choices in our plantings for our yards can make the difference of native or nonnative plants spreading naturally. This is because birds, racoons, mice, and other animals eat seeds from our plants around our homes. These seeds then get deposited next door or many miles away. Be a good neighbor, go plant native.

Let’s make the choice to stop the introduction of nonnative or invasive plants. Follow the steps as outlined in the pamphlet.

What can you do?

1. Know Your Plants
2. Use Native or Noninvasive Alternatives
3. Watch Out for Invasive Hitchhikers
4. Have a Care if You Share
5. Use Weed Free Seed Mixes
6. Use Weed Free Soil & Mulch
7. Keep an Eye on New Sprouts and Volunteers
8. Be Especially Careful with Aquatic Plants
9. Dispose of Invasive Plants Carefully
10. If You Can’t Part with Your Invasive Plant, remember – contain it, control it, or cage it
11. Never Release Exotic Pets into the Wild
12. Clean Your Boat Before You Move It

For details on each of these ways you can promote native species, check out the pamphlet.

My experience with invasives

While working for the U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes, I learned firsthand about how destructive nonnative plants and animals can be. This pamphlet is spot on regarding what we can do.

I watched as kudzu took over the roadside plants, trees, and any structures in its way including telephone wires. The kudzu folk lore included a story about a sickly, older gentleman who suffocated in his bed– by kudzu. The University of Georgia pamphlet’s cover photo reminded me of my drive to work. Absolutely gorgeous – and so destructive.

For a look at this invasive species, check out the Smithsonian Magazine’s The True Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Never Truly Ate the South: A naturalist cuts through the myths surrounding the invasive plant by Bill Finch (September 2015). Yes, the man suffocated by kudzu is exactly that — folklore. However if you have seen this invasive plant in action, you would believe that folklore.

Feral hogs also brought destruction to our recreation area everywhere they went. Originally released for sport, States eventually outlawed hunting of feral hogs.

Plus that #11 about releasing exotic pets in the wild, don’t. We all can’t be “Joe the Tiger King” and open up a zoo. We found all kinds of animals left in the wild at Land Between the Lakes. One time six-foot plus albino python freaked our visitors out as it slithered in the ditch.

We all need to do our part.

“That beautiful, green ivy climbing your tree could be the dreaded kudzu. The climbing, semi-woody perennial vine kills or degrades plants by smothering them under a solid blanket of leaves, by girdling wood stems and tree trunks, and by breaking branches or uprooting entire trees and shrubs. They grow rapidly – about one foot per day – and as many as 30 vines may grow from a single shoot.”

U.S. Forest Service
Native plant or not?
(Accessed April 2020 )

If not now, when?

Now is the perfect time as we shelter in place to clean up our outdoor spaces — and to go native while we’re at it. Go plant that oak tree.

This will be a trend that can do us all a lifetime of good. Pay it forward.

Finding Help

Because we are sheltering in place, you may want to do your homework online before you call or visit your local nursery to purchase native plants. However, your local nursery is a wealth of information on helping you landscaper your yard with native, non-invasive, trees, plants, and flowers. Use their knowledge.

In addition to above references, remember your local County Extension Office can help you in deciding what plants that thrive in your neighborhood.

I have called on the professionals at our Sedgwick County Extension Office before when I bought a home by the river. The fertile ground produced a lot of spontaneous vegetation — and I could not tell plant from weed. In today’s social distancing climate, the office will answer your gardening and landscaping questions through email. They also have links for gardening that includes a list of preferred plants and trees. You can download the vegetable list for our county. I plan to do some balcony garden pots for my vegetables this year because I crave tomatoes in summertime.

In addition to gardening help, our Sedgwick County Extension Office started a program to improve the local food market with ICT Food Circle. (ICT is our airport call letters.) Beginning this April, a Funky Fresh Farmers Market has moved online with help from a local promoter who has a large, outdoor facility in downtown Wichita. You now order online for free pickup or they deliver within Wichita for a $5 fee. The menu includes enchiladas, fresh vegetables, meats, coffee, beer, and more. (Please note that the beer is available for pickup only.) A win-win arrangement for us all. Order today.

There may be a program like this in your area.

More help is out there

You can find additional information to go plant native at:

• Invasive and Exotic Species of North America
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• USDA National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
• USDA Invasive Species Resources
• U.S. National Arboretum
  • Science Tab: Find
  • Hardiness Zone Map and
  • Plant Introduction Posters
• The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States (2018 last updated)

I want to thank everyone in advance for cleaning up your yards from nonnatives and invasive plants. In 2020 now more than ever we understand how we are all connected — one earth. Let’s do our part and …

#GoPlantNative