Gardening 101: How to begin gardening with native plants.
We know—gardening with native plants is exciting, but it makes some people nervous for some reason. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your new garden and thinking, “Wait… is everything okay out there?”—you’re not alone. Let’s walk through some of the most common concerns we hear, season by season, and put your mind at ease.
March & April: “All my plants are dead!”
In early spring, your garden can look bleak. Brown stems, dry leaves, and bare soil is enough to trigger a person’s abandonment issues. But here’s the truth: sun loving native perennials mostly wake up slowly. Additionally- these plants, even the 12+ foot height ones- die completely to the ground every year! While lawns green up quickly, wildflowers and native grasses can take their time. Underground, their roots are busy gathering energy for the season ahead. Be patient—green shoots will emerge as soil warms.
May & June: “Is this a weed or a plant?”
When new growth appears, it can be tricky to differentiate what should stay or go. We recommend downloading the free PlantNet app, which uses photo ID to help you grow your plant recognition skills. Certainly, you will need to be able to distinguish between your new perennials and opportunistic weeds. And remember weeds tend to grow faster and taller than natives early in the season, so don’t panic if something looks different—it might just be your garden’s wild adolescent stage. Slow down and learn to name what you are looking at.
Any Planting Month: “Why are these plants so small?”
If your garden was just installed, you could be surprised by the size of your plants. That’s intentional! We use 100% organic methods growing vigorous 1-2 gallon-sized perennials. (And sometimes plugs; baby plants.) So, these establish strong root systems first before putting energy into top growth. Think of it like building a house: you start with the foundation, not the roof. By year two and three, you’ll see dramatic growth and much more bloom. Folks who have only shopped at big box stores for plants will have a learning curve with local, organic grown stock. Using organic compost instead of blue water chemicals is a big visual departure. However, a native perennial’s best years will be right in your garden. It’s likely the chemical addicted big box store plant has already peaked on the shelf.
July & August: “Should I water?”
- New gardens: Yes. During the first growing season, consistent watering (especially in hot weeks) is essential.
- Established gardens (1+ years old): Usually no—native plants are drought-tolerant once their roots are settled. Only water if you’re experiencing extended drought.
Remember: overwatering can stress plants just as much as drought.
September, October & November: “All my plants are dead!” (Again!)
This is one of the most common homeowner worries. In fall, perennials begin to naturally die back to the ground—their entire herbaceous top growth disappears every year. This isn’t death; it’s dormancy. The life of the plant is safely stored in its root system, waiting for spring. Think of it like bears hibernating: the garden may look lifeless, but it’s simply resting for next season’s show.
Gaining a New Native Lifestyle: Gardening 101.
Your native plant garden is tougher than it looks. The cycles of growth, bloom, dormancy, and regrowth are exactly what makes it resilient. When in doubt, trust the plants. They’ve been doing this for hundreds of thousands of years.