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About Us
Welcome to Good Native Plants!
Good Native Plants is an Indigenous-owned and led non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between Canadians and the natural world through the promotion and seeding of native plants.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to spread knowledge and seeds of native plants across Canada, thereby nurturing biodiversity, supporting wildlife habitats, and preserving our rich ecological heritage.
At Good Native Plants, we recognize the crucial role that native flora plays in sustaining healthy ecosystems. From the towering conifers of the boreal forests to the delicate wildflowers of the prairies, Canada boasts a diverse array of indigenous plant species, each uniquely adapted to their local environment. Despite their intrinsic value, native plants face numerous threats, including habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.
Through education, advocacy, and hands-on initiatives, Good Native Plants seeks to empower individuals, communities, and organizations to take action in support of native plant conservation. Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a nature enthusiast, or someone simply curious about the wonders of the natural world, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference.
Join us as we embark on a journey to restore and protect the native landscapes that define our country. Together, we can cultivate a future where native plants thrive, wildlife flourishes, and the bond between people and nature grows ever stronger.
Thank you for your interest in Good Native Plants.
Together, let's do what's right for Canadian wildlife.
Why Decolonize?
Benefit yourself and the land you live on
Decolonization refers to the process of undoing the legacy of colonialism and imperialism, where colonizing nations establish and dominate Indigenous territories and peoples.
As a side effect of colonization, Indigenous plants have been pushed out of settlements and replaced with exotic species which fail to provide crucial habitat and resources for our native pollinators.
In recent years, the concept of decolonizing spaces has gained momentum, extending into various aspects of life, including our approach to gardening and lawn care.
Decolonizing your lawn or garden involves shifting away from traditional, Euro-centric landscaping practices towards a more inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and culturally diverse approach. This simple act of purposeful gardening creates homes for native plant species, promotes biodiversity, and helps you foster a deeper connection with the land.
Cultivating Biodiversity through Native Plantings
One of the cornerstones of decolonizing your garden is the prioritization of native plant species over exotic or invasive ones. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than their non-native counterparts. By choosing to plant native species, gardeners can support local ecosystems, providing habitats and food sources for native wildlife, including pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. This not only helps to sustain biodiversity but also contributes to the resilience of local ecosystems against climate change and habitat loss.
Reducing Environmental Impact and Workload
Traditional lawn care, characterized by vast expanses of turf grass, is resource-intensive, relying heavily on the input of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. These practices can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and harm to beneficial insects and wildlife. Decolonizing your lawn by incorporating native plants, edible landscapes, and permaculture principles significantly reduces the environmental footprint and physical workload of garden maintenance. This approach promotes soil health, water conservation, and the end of chemical use, aligning with broader goals of environmental sustainability and resilience.
Fostering Cultural Diversity and Connection
Decolonizing your garden also involves recognizing and valuing the plant knowledge and gardening practices of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. By incorporating plants that are significant to local Indigenous cultures, gardeners can honor and preserve traditional knowledge and practices that have been passed down through generations. This not only enriches the garden's cultural significance but also fosters a deeper connection to the land and its history. Engaging with community gardening projects and land restoration efforts can further strengthen ties to the local community and environment, promoting a sense of stewardship and collective responsibility.
Promoting Health and Well-being
The benefits of decolonizing your garden extend to personal health and well-being. Gardens rich in biodiversity and native plants offer a sanctuary for relaxation and connection with nature, contributing to mental and emotional well-being. Edible landscapes and community gardens can improve access to fresh, nutritious foods, supporting physical health. Additionally, gardening practices that respect the land and their ecosystems can foster a sense of purpose, belonging, and connection, enriching our relationships with the environment and each other.
Conclusion
Decolonizing your lawn or garden represents a wholistic approach to landscaping that honors biodiversity, sustainability, and cultural diversity. By embracing native plants, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering connections with the land and its history, we can create vibrant, resilient, and meaningful spaces. This approach not only benefits the environment but also supports our well-being and the well-being of future generations. As we move towards a more inclusive and sustainable relationship with the natural world, decolonizing our gardens becomes a powerful act of reconnection, resilience, and respect.
Call to Action
Advancing Decolonization Through Planting Native Plants: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Educate Yourself on Indigenous Culture and Plants:
- Cultural Research: Begin by learning about the Indigenous peoples and cultures native to your region. Understand their relationship with the land and the native plants they have traditionally used.
(optional) Connect with Knowledge Holders: Reach out to us at Good Native Plants, or local native plant nurseries or consultants, Indigenous environmental organizations, knowledge holders, and elders. Attend workshops, seminars, and cultural events to gain firsthand knowledge and build respectful relationships.
-Plant Research: See below for a detailed guide on how to approach native plant research
2. Identify Native Plants:
- Local Resources: Use resources such as local botanical gardens, universities, and extension services to identify native plants specific to your region.
- Field Guides and Apps: Utilize field guides and mobile apps designed for plant identification to help you recognize native species in your area.
App Recommendations:
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For identifying plants: Picture This,
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For documenting finds: iNaturalist.
3. Plan Your Native Plant Garden:
- Assess Your Site: Determine the soil type, sunlight exposure, and moisture levels of your planting site. This will help you choose the most suitable native plants. If you'd like to avoid this work, you can adopt a 'survival of the fittest' mindset and plant a diverse variety of species, of which only those adapted to your conditions will survive, at the cost of some wasted propagules. For this strategy, we recommend working with seeds rather than live plants.
- Design Your Garden: Create a garden plan that incorporates a variety of native plants, considering their growth habits, bloom times, and ecological benefits. Remember that the resilience of an ecosystem is correlated to the species diversity of plants, so aim to plant as many species as space and resources will allow.
4. Source Native Plants:
- Native Plant Nurseries: Purchase plants from nurseries that specialize in native species. Remember that nurseries and online sellers may carry cultivars or regionally inappropriate species, so you must research each species of interest to ensure they are actually native to your region.
- Seed Exchanges and Community Gardens: Participate in seed exchanges and community garden projects that focus on native plants.
-Personal Shopper: To avoid research time yourself, you can hire a personal seed shopper to research and locate plants appropriate for your space. Good Native Plants offers this service upon request through our chat system.
5. Prepare and Plant
- Soil Preparation: Prepare your soil by removing invasive species and amending it as necessary based on your soil assessment.
- Planting: Follow best practices for planting native species, including proper spacing, depth, and timing. Consider planting in clusters to mimic natural growth patterns. When planting seeds, remember that most native plants require cold stratification in order to germinate; the easiest way to achieve this is to plant seeds in late fall or early winter and allow them to experience winter as they would in the wild.
6. Maintain and Care for Your Native Garden:
- Watering: Initially, water your native plants regularly until they are established. Once established, native plants generally require no water, except during droughts.
- Weeding: Regularly remove non-native weeds that compete with your native plants.
- Mulching: Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
7. Monitor and Document:
- Observation: Keep an eye on your garden, noting which plants thrive and which may need extra care or replacement.
- Documentation: Record your observations, including plant growth, bloom times, and wildlife interactions. This information can be valuable for future planting and sharing with others.
8. Share Your Knowledge and Garden:
- Educate Others: Share your experiences and knowledge with friends, family, and community members. Host garden tours, workshops, and educational sessions, if desired.
- Social Media and Community Boards: Use social media and community bulletin boards to spread awareness about the benefits of native plants and decolonization.
9. Advocate for Native Plants:
- Local Policies: Advocate for local policies that support native plantings in public spaces, parks, and community projects.
- Collaborate with Organizations: Partner with environmental and Indigenous organizations to promote native plant initiatives and decolonization efforts.
By following these steps, you can play a significant role in decolonizing the land, fostering biodiversity, and preserving Indigenous knowledge and heritage. Together, we can create landscapes that reflect the rich ecological and cultural history of our regions.
Researching Native Plants
How to Research Native Plants
1. Start with Reliable Websites and Databases:
- Native Plant Societies: Many regions have native plant societies with extensive online resources. For example, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (https://www.wildflower.org/), which has an extensive database on plants native to North America, but is based in Texas so some information such as bloom times may not apply to Canadian gardens.
- Botanical Gardens and Arboretums: Websites of botanical gardens and arboretums sometimes have plant databases and guides. Look for ones in your region. For example, in Montreal there's Espace pour la vie, which provides lists and facts sheets on many native plants (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/native-plants-your-garden , https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/quebec-native-plants)
- Government Resources: Many government websites, such as the USDA Plants Database or local environmental agencies, provide detailed information on native plants.
2. Use Plant Identification Apps and Tools:
- **Apps:** Download plant identification apps like iNaturalist, PictureThis, PlantSnap, or Seek by iNaturalist. These apps allow you to take photos of plants and get identification help from algorithms or experts and enthusiasts.
- **Online Tools:** Use online plant databases such as the Native Plant Finder by the National Wildlife Federation or the Audubon Native Plants Database, which provide detailed information about plants native to specific regions.
3. Search Scholarly Articles and Publications:
- **Google Scholar:** Use Google Scholar to find research articles on native plants. Search for terms like “native plants of [your region]” or “ecological benefits of native plants.”
- **University Websites:** Check the websites of universities with strong botany or ecology programs. Many universities publish research on native plants and may have online guides or databases.
4. Join Online Communities and Forums:
- **Social Media Groups:** Join Facebook groups or other social media communities dedicated to native gardening or plant identification. Examples include “Native Plant Enthusiasts” or region-specific groups.
- **Forums:** Participate in forums like GardenWeb or Reddit’s r/nativeplants where you can ask questions and share information with other native plant enthusiasts.
5. **Explore Online Courses and Webinars:**
- **Educational Websites:** Check websites like Coursera, Udemy, or FutureLearn to see if they offer courses on native plants.
- **Webinars:** Look for webinars hosted by environmental organizations, native plant societies, and universities. These often cover topics related to native plant identification, cultivation, and conservation.
6. **Visit Online Plant Nurseries:**
- **Specialty Nurseries:** Check the websites of nurseries that specialize in native plants. These sites often provide detailed plant descriptions, growing conditions, and care instructions. Examples include Prairie Moon Nursery, Xerces Society, and Grow Native!
- **Catalogs and Guides:** Download or order plant catalogs and guides from these nurseries to get more information about the plants they offer.
7. Access Indigenous Knowledge Resources:
- **Tribal Websites:** Visit the websites of local Indigenous tribes, which may have resources on traditional plant use and native species.
- **Cultural Organizations:** Check the websites of Indigenous cultural and environmental organizations. These organizations often provide valuable insights into the traditional uses and ecological significance of native plants.
8. Create a Personalized Database:
- **Bookmark Useful Pages:** As you find reliable information, bookmark the pages for easy reference.
- **Document Findings:** Create a spreadsheet or document to organize the information you gather, including plant names, characteristics, growing conditions, and sources.
By utilizing these online resources and tools, you can conduct thorough research on native plants, gaining the knowledge needed to support decolonization efforts and promote biodiversity in your area.