VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 1 WINTER 2024
HOME
As seed starter packets and bulk bulb bins begin to show up in garden centers, anyone with a small patch of land can start thinking about putting in a garden. But before you spend money on the first thing that catches your eye, consider adding some native plants to your yard. Many gardeners, both amateur and experienced, don’t fully realize the benefits of native plants for both homeowners and the ecosystem. Here, we cover just a few. 1. Native plants need less food and water. The genius of native species is that they’ve undergone centuries of adaptation to thrive in our climate. That July drought? They’re used to it. The August heat? Unbothered. Clay in your soil? Love it. Planting even just a few native plants will cut down your water bill throughout the year, not to mention lessening your need to fertilize your soil. BY DUFFY PERKINS THE BENEFITS OF NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN 2. Native plants are pollinator friendly. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other migratory pollinators depend on native plants as they travel. This is due to a co-evolution that has occurred over a millennia, and many animals and insects can only eat the plants they’ve evolved with. The more pollinators you have in your yard, the healthier your area (and your neighbors’ areas) will be. 3. Native plants have deep roots in the region. Literally. The root systems of native plants are often 10-20 times deeper than non-native species, and can extend up to 15 feet into the soil. This allows for many benefits: deeper root structures help support your lawn against erosion while also building the biodiversity of your soil. This means that you can naturally protect your home against flash flooding and enhance the soil content of your garden without doing anything. 4. Native plants don’t attract as many freeloaders. Deer will eat your hosta like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, but not the golden rod. Native species have evolved to support the ecosystem without decimating themselves. The Bayberry and Spicebush, two plants native to Maryland, have an aromatic coating on their leaves that is pleasant to us but deer don’t appreciate, while American holly and black locust have spiny leaves that animals won’t eat. 5. Native plants help slow global warming. Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to global greenhouse warming. According to the Maryland Climate Summary, average temperatures in Maryland are expected to rise between 5 and 11 degrees by the year 2100. Since
plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their root systems, plants with deeper, more extensive root systems will store more carbon dioxide than non-native species. The Anne Arundel Master Gardeners is a wonderful program to help educate citizens about effective and sustainable gardening, so be sure to browse their website or even submit your gardening questions to these experts.
70
Powered by FlippingBook