Native plants have many benefits and are great alternatives to traditional ornamental plants. They help to promote biodiversity, support and attract wildlife and pollinators in the area, and conserve our natural resources. Native plants are often easier to grow than ornamentals since they have evolved to thrive in Wisconsin’s harsh climate. This also helps to save time and money in the long run, since native plant gardens will require less maintenance, less watering, and no fertilizers.
If you plan to collect your own seeds this fall, make sure to ask permission if using private property or gain a permit for public property. Be positive of the plant seeds you’re harvesting, so that no unwanted invasive species are collected. Make sure to collect from plants that are in a similar area to where you are planting. This will give the best chance of successful germination and healthy plant populations. Please consider the well-being of the wildlife and habitat, leaving seeds for food and natural plant reproduction, avoiding damage to the plant or disturbing the soil, and letting the area “rest” for a few years after harvesting from there.
After collecting dry seeds, such as grasses, nuts, or flowers, the first step in preparing the seed is to remove them from their protective casing once they have dried. This process is often referred to as “cleaning” the seed. There are various ways to accomplish this, and it often depends on each species. There are many educational materials that can be found online for each species of interest. For fleshy fruits, the seeds should be removed as soon as possible to prevent damage. Once the seeds have been gathered, they can be sown into their intended location the same fall. Native plants are accustomed to the extremes Wisconsin weather can throw at it and some even require it. If you cannot plant your seeds the same fall, cold stratification (moist and cold exposure) can be achieved indoors through various methods.
Great starting plants include black-eyed susan, blue vervain, common milkweed, wild bergamot, purple coneflower, stiff goldenrod, and smooth blue aster. These all have high germination and forgiveness rates. These plants do require stratification for at least 45 days to germinate well.
For additional information, please use the following link to view a native seed growing guide produced by Dane County, WI.
https://lwrd.countyofdane.com/documents/pdfs/Free-Native-Plants/How-to-…
[Written by: Tom Boisvert]