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 “Growing native plants is a great way to benefit
the environment, wildlife, and bring some interesting and beautiful
plants to your garden,” says Gemini Bhalsod, University of Illinois
Extension horticulture educator. “Fall is a great time to plant and
establish native gardens because the weed pressure is lower than in
the spring.”
Fall can also be a great time to plant native seeds, since many
Illinois native plants require a cold, moist winter to germinate in
the spring.
Before planting, Bhalsod says, it is important to scout for the
right spot in your landscape. “Whether the area is sunny or shady,
or the soil is moist or dry, there are so many options for native
plants to put in your yard.”
Gardeners should think about the sun/shade pattern in planting
sites. Does the spot get morning or afternoon sun, full-day sun, or
is it mostly in the shade? Also think about the sun during different
times of the year; the area under a large tree might be full-sun in
the spring, but shady after the tree gets its summer leaves. Also
consider whether the area tends to retain water after a rain event
or drains quickly. Finally, think about the view. Is the garden
against a wall, where the tall plants will have to go in the back,
or can the garden bed be viewed from all sides?
After you have asked yourself these questions and taken a good
inventory of your site, now comes the fun part: picking plants for
that area! Some of Bhalsod’s favorites for full sun are blue false
indigo (Baptisia australis), purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea),
and bee balm (Monarda fistulosa). [to top of second
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Be sure to include a mix of colors and bloom times so
you can ensure blooms throughout the whole growing season. Visit
your local Extension office for suggestions for and information
about plants that work well for your area.
After choosing your plants and making a map of the
garden bed, it’s time to prep the site, Bhalsod says. First, you
will need to kill off the existing vegetation before planting. “One
of the best ways to kill off existing weeds or turf is to smother
them,” she says. You can do this by renting a sod cutter and
removing grass completely or by layering wet cardboard or newspaper
on the area you want to clear. Be sure to weigh the cardboard down
to prevent light from penetrating. A downside is that you have to
wait a few months for the grass to die off. If you don’t have the
time, put soil and mulch directly on top of the cardboard or
newspaper and plant. If you take this approach, be sure to plant
small transplants and keep them well watered.
For any fall plantings, it is important to water regularly
throughout the fall so plants develop the deep root system they need
to survive the winter. Ideally, plant in September to allow enough
time for root development. But don’t expect blooms right away; it
could take a year or two for flowers to form.
Follow these steps and you will be on your way to a well-thought-out
and organized native garden this fall.
[Gemini Bhalsod, Horticulture
Educator, University of Illinois Extension]
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