NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR BACK YARD
            Most of us recognize the value of an original art masterpiece or a handwritten original manuscript. Yet, we have a difficult time accepting the beauty and value of native plants for landscaping.
            Prior to the arrival of the first European settlers, the midwestern landscape was made up of a variety of ecosystems each with their own native plants growing in a community with each other and forming a natural habitat for wildlife. The beauty of seasonal flowers was evident in all these systems. Today agricultural and garden plants introduced from all over the world provide our landscapes. Garden and seed catalogs and garden center displays tempt us with many non-native plants.
            In general, aggressive, non-native plants “invade” – they have no enemies or controls to limit their spread. As they move in, complex native plant communities, with hundreds of different plant species supporting wildlife, are converted to a non-native monoculture, including fields of soybeans and corn and acres of turf grass. This means that the community of plants and animals is simplified, with most native plant species disappearing and causing the birds and wildlife to move or disappear from the region.
            In the U.S., approximately 10 million acres of lawn are cultivated. Forty million lawnmowers consume 200 million gallons of gasoline per year. One gas-powered lawnmower emits 11 times the air pollution of a new car for each hour of operation.
            Consider converting infrequently used areas of your lawn to native plants. At the very best, non-native plants require much extra care. Providing a low maintenance landscape that benefits the environment is a good reason to consider using native plants that are beautiful, hardy, and drought resistant.
            When placing native plants in your landscape, it is helpful to have a plan that will give the area a more “finished” look. Start out small. You may feel more comfortable with the look if you put a border around your native plantings giving it the appearance of a garden.
            Sod should be removed from the area to be planted but the exposed soil should not be turned over – disturbing the soil will expose weed seeds and encourage their growth. Be patient if you plant seeds to start your native garden – the first few years are spent growing extensive root systems. Cut, rather than pull, weeds – pulling the weeds may damage the roots of young plants. Where burns are not advisable, cutting to about six inches and removing the debris from the area in the spring or fall mimics the natural fire cycle.
            Native plants have beauty and value. When chosen for your specific area, they’ll love your landscape and you’ll love them. Information above is from www.epa.gov/greenacres/nativeplants/factsht.html and an article by the writer published in the Journal-Standard May 2004.

Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 040710/10 (for publication on 04/10/10 in the Journal-Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org