Native Plants

All native plants have evolved to survive the climate of their native ecosystem. They need less water and care once they are adult plants. They can survive the rough weather conditions of their native habitat and will typically grow back quickly if they die. Once they are healthy adult plants in your garden, these plants should need almost no extra water unlike most of the plants you will find at the big home garden stores.

If you’ve heard anything about climate change, you probably know that one of the biggest reasons for the changing climate is the excessive amount of carbon in the atmosphere. You probably know, too, that animals use the oxygen in the air and breathe out carbon dioxide as a waste product, and that plants take in and use carbon dioxide and “exhale” the oxygen that animals need. Plants use this carbon to grow and so they are great at pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it in the leaves, stems, and roots. Plants that are native to an ecosystem are the best plants for doing this.

Soil and water conservation are two very important parts of living sustainably. Healthy soil and water are important for growing the food we need. Water is necessary for all life on Earth and maintaining its purity and availability is an issue in many parts of the world. Plants that are native to an ecosystem will survive on the water that is typically available in that ecosystem. Unlike the tropical plants found in so many gardens, native plants will not need to be given extra water to make it through a routine dry season. This will conserve drinking water and help to keep our supply of water plentiful. Native plants do not need additional fertilizer to thrive, either. Not using fertilizer will help keep the soil’s natural organisms that create natural fertilizer for healthy soil. Also, without using additional fertilizer there is not risk of having that fertilizer wash away and into our rivers and lakes making them unhealthy and making it difficult for future generations to get the food and water they need.

Native Animals

All native animals have evolved to survive the climate of their native ecosystem and to feed on and make their homes in the native plants. Our native pollinators pollinate the plants that give people the food they need. If we do not support the survival of our pollinators, we may lose the ability to provide the food that is needed for humans and all other animals to survive.