It’s a Great Time to Start Thinking About Your Native Plant Gardens!
There’s nothing like a chilly January to make you look forward to spring. Something we like to do when winter seems to drag on is to start planning our gardens, and at the Friends, that means starting seeds for a ton of different native plants! If you’re interested in starting your own native plants from seed, there are a lot of species that are beginner-friendly, even if you don’t have any experience growing plants from seeds at all. We’re highlighting two species that are easy to get started with and how you can germinate and grow them this winter!
Did you know that the Friends have a native plant growing program called ‘Grow with Us’ that also acts as a native species seed bank? Learn more and sign up at https://friendsoffishcreek.org/grow-with-us/.
Plant 1: Smooth Blue Aster
These beautiful blue flowers are a cheery addition to any garden, plus, they support native pollinators and insects. Easy to germinate and grow, you could easily see the plants flower their first year when grown from seed, and they may even produce seed to harvest the first season too!
To grow this native species, sprinkle seeds on top of a pot of soil at least 6” deep then cover with a handful of soil, about ½ cm. Lightly press down on the top layer of soil and then mist the top of the soil with a sprayer to moisten the seeds and begin the germination process. Germination can take up to a few weeks, so check back often to make sure the soil (and most importantly, the seeds) is still damp.
Plant 2: Prairie Coneflower
The prairie coneflower is a classic native species that often comes to mind when we think of the word “wildflower”. It can be found growing all across the North American Great Plains, so why not bring the sunny yellow hues of this native plant to your garden bed?
To grow prairie coneflower from seed, you’ll start by “cold stratifying” the seed. This means putting seeds outside in cold weather, or in the fridge in a moist substrate (like sand or paper towel) for a few weeks to a month. Then, plant seeds in sandy, well-draining soil in a pot at least 6” deep and water daily until germination. From there, you can move your seedlings outside or gradually transition them by bringing them outside for increasing durations during the day in April or May.
Wondering where to get seeds for native species? Sign up for our ‘Grow with Us’ program for smooth blue aster seeds, prairie coneflower seeds, and more. Plus, be a part of our circular seed economy and increasing species diversity in Fish Creek Provincial Park and beyond. You can find more information on our website.
