Growing native plants good for environment

Gardening ranks right after fishing and hunting as the third-most popular outdoor activity Missourians enjoy.

Apparently, Show-Me Staters like to get their fingernails dirty.

Did you know you can pursue this hobby and help Missouri's environment at the same time? It's called "Growing Native."

What is a native plant? It's a plant that originated in Missouri and was not introduced. Native plants existed within the state prior to the arrival of settlers.

Why is growing native a good thing to do? Native plants conserve soil and water, provide the backbone for nonpolluting landscapes because they don't need fertilizers or pesticides, support a diversity of wildlife through improved habitat, reduce long-term maintenance after they're established, are winter hardy and drought tolerant and are less prone to destructive insects and diseases.

Two hundred years ago, Missouri was a much different place. About a third of the State was a prairie. Another third was a savanna. Most of the bootheel was, of course, a swamp.

Some of the highest biodiversity in the state is found in prairies and swamps. Less than 1 percent of those natural communities are here today.

Plants in prairies can have roots that go down 20 feet. Compare that to a lawn where roots burrow only about 4-5 inches. Deep roots hold the soil in place. They also break up clay soils. When a prairie plant dies, those roots add organic matter and help create more soil.

Native plants slow water runoff and help moisture sink into the ground.

More importantly, if you or your kids can fritter away a couple of hours watching butterflies, lizards or birds, remember those creatures need places to eat and drink, places to hide from predators and places to mate.

Landscapes with native plants are those places.

A good place to start your "Grow Native" effort is at a border. Don't stop at your sidewalk or your house. And often overlooked opportunity is at the border with your neighbors. Shared property lines can equal shared corridors. Talk to your neighbors. Maybe they'd like to join with you and be a neighbor to wildlife.

Got a low-lying area that fills with water? Convert it to a frog or herp pond. Ponds are great for kids and budding naturalists who will want to bring tadpoles and other slimy, disgusting creatures into the house.

If your garden is rocky, it may be a glade waiting to happen. Plants like glade primrose and poppy mallow will grow there. Naturally, and with little watering once they're established.

Unsure about what something may look like in your garden? Or how it grows? Grab a pot and start experimenting. With a pot, flexibility stays high and your commitment level stays low. Move your pots around, see where you like them best. Take your time determining if you'd like to make your native plant relationship more permanent.

To find out where to buy native plants, what's native to your neck of the woods, how to prepare the soil, when to plant and more information, log on to www.grownative.org. Or stop by the Conservation Office and check out our "Grow Native" brochures and information packs.

Phil Helfrich is a community outreach specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.