Wild Plant Culture Garden

Creating a Wild Plant Culture garden is a way to help preserve the genetic diversity of culturally vital plants. In addition, it is a way to enhance your own home landscape, bring a sense of home, and to save seeds for future generations.

Mowing and collecting seeds

Depending on the landscape you are lucky enough to call your own, you may have the luxury of growing a wide variety of native plants. Having a diverse mix of flowering species will help ensure that your flora and fauna receives the best possible start. As well, varying the mowing time from one year to the next will help prevent certain plants from taking over the top spot. You should also be mindful that a plethora of weeds will do your wildflowers no favors. As with any crop, you should consider a yearly weed control plan to keep things in check.

Incorporating wildflowers into the existing vegetation

Adding wildflowers to your garden is a great way to add color and beauty to your landscape. Not only do they help provide shelter and food for wildlife, they are also ecologically beneficial.

Choosing the right wildflowers for your garden will depend on your site’s conditions. For example, you’ll want to consider the soil’s moisture and drainage. Some species will thrive in wet areas, while others prefer full shade. You’ll also need to consider whether you’re planning to plant them alone or in a wildflower mix.

When choosing a wildflower, you’ll also need to decide on the amount of maintenance you’re willing to give. Some plants are very hardy, while others need more attention.

Ensure genetic diversity among culturally vital plants

Ensure genetic diversity among culturally vital wild plants is one of the most important priorities for food security. In a world where population is growing rapidly, better strategies to preserve crop diversity are an effective way to address the challenge of food insecurity. Traditional crops include grains, legumes and forages.

Plant genetic diversity is essential for the development of new varieties and for climate change adaptation. It also provides opportunities for breeders to develop new hybrids. Diverse genetic resources will play a crucial role in feeding a world population that is expected to double in size by 2050.

Preserving seeds for future generations

Throughout human history, collecting and saving seeds has been a part of the cultural landscape. However, with the rise of industrial food production 200 years ago, the process of harvesting and saving seeds changed.

Today, farmers buy new seed every year. This practice prevents farmers from adapting plants to their bioregion and increasing the likelihood that descendants will carry on drought-resistant genes.

A number of nonprofit organizations and governments are working to conserve seed diversity. These efforts help mitigate risks associated with pests and diseases, while preserving ancient heirloom varieties of important food crops.

Backfilling the hole with loose dirt

Using loose dirt in your wild plant culture garden is a no brainer. It is also one of the best ways to get your hands on some top notch soil. The best places to start are your yard, the back of your garage and your neighbor’s back garden. Before you know it you’ll have your own private little garden oasis. A wild plant culture garden is a fun and rewarding project for your family and you. Creating a garden is a great way to learn about nature and reconnect with your roots.

Attracting hummingbirds to a garden with a hybrid of cardinal-flower and blue lobelia

Adding a few plants to your garden to attract hummingbirds is easy. You can change your plantings every year, or you can focus on one plant for a few years until you know what works best.

The best plants to attract hummingbirds are ones that are tubular in shape. Hummingbirds also enjoy a bright color. Lobelia is a perennial that blooms in a variety of colors.

Penstemon is another favorite of hummingbirds. These plants grow well in a sunny area. They also prefer well-drained soil. They have been known to thrive in gravel and sand, as well. They are hardy and do not require frequent fertilization.

Bringing a sense of home

Having a garden full of native plants is a great way to create a sense of home. The plants help to attract local wildlife and provide food for the insects that are native to the area. If you’re interested in planting a native garden, check out a book called Bringing Nature Home. It is written by a entomologist and features beautiful color photos of bugs that can be found in your area.

The book also highlights human’s role in restoring native plant communities. This includes information on restoration practices, permaculture, foraging, herbalism, and rewilding. The book also has detailed profiles of over 200 native plants. It is a comprehensive guide to ecological restoration of native plant communities in eastern North America.