gardening adventures

1. Native landscaping protects the regional ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of both non-living and living things. They have evolved and adapted to one another throughout time in order to survive. Introducing new things into this environment may disrupt the balance to which they have adapted. Species thrive in their native area.
2. Native landscaping protects and feeds native plants, wildlife, and birds.
3. Native landscaping preserves part of the local history. Many of these species were used early in Kentucky’s history for a variety of uses. Keeping these species around helps protect that part of our history.
4. Native landscaping reduces the effects of global climate change. Any living, breathing plant, shrub, or tree will use carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) during the process of photosynthesis (production of their own food). The more plants, trees, and greenery we have, the more carbon dioxide is absorbed and used. The products of photosynthesis include glucose (their food), oxygen, and water. Not a bad tradeoff!
5. Native landscaping protects the soil against erosion. Native species once again have adapted and evolved with their environment over time whereas ornamentals or decorative species have not. Natives species help to stabilize the soil with their spreading root systems. Large amounts of wind or water do little to shake them. Soil erosion occurs where the soil does not have this stability or structure (like on steep hills or where a variety of vegetation exists).
6. Native landscaping eliminates the amount of water, herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers you need to use. This is sounding repetitive but since natives are accustomed to a certain area, they grow well there. They’re supposed to grow there so you don’t need to help them with extra chemicals. Chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers) are needed to propagate species that don’t necessarily belong in an area. Natives grow with other natives and form relationships that benefit one another (mutualism). Natives are often “good neighbors” with one another.
7. Native landscaping reduces the total level of allergenic pollens. Native species don’t produce an overabundant amount of pollen like many ornamental/decorative species.
8. Native landscaping reduces fossil fuel use by reducing the amount of mowing you need to do. Many native species are allelopathic. Allelopathy is the suppression of growth of another plant or species because of a toxin released by a nearby plant or species. For example, black walnut trees are allelopathic. They release a chemical (juglone) that inhibits the growth of many plants that may attempt to grow nearby.
9. Native landscaping reduces human stress related to landscaping. Humans become less stressed with more birds, wildlife, and plants as well as less mowing, fossil fuel use, global climate change, and erosion.

Start landscaping with native species today!

The second of the two workshops I attended by Ms. Maruskin of the Clark County Library was Edible Landscaping. This workshop focused on landscaping with Kentucky’s native or naturalized perennial edible trees. Many use these trees for their tasty edible fruits or nuts. However, happens that many of these natives are also extremely beautiful and perfect for landscaping. Some of the trees discussed include pawpaw, persimmon, black oak, white oak, walnut, and hickory. Other trees known as “naturalized” to the area were also discussed. These trees are not necessarily native to Kentucky but have been introduced or cultivated but have now spread and multiply by natural regeneration.