SOIL TESTING USE OF NATIVE AND NEARLY- NATIVE PLANTS
SOIL TESTING UN UNIVER IVERSIT SITY OF OF IDAH AHO O EXT XTENSION NSION ASL lab at UI Moscow • Free test kits at UI Extension in CDA • Test fees • Consultation in CDA • Suggestions: • Avoid collection mishaps • Test all soil. Topsoil & compost for your clients - turf, landscape beds and esp. vegetable garden areas. Small price to pay for their happiness, healthy plants, sustainable landscape = referrals
SOIL TESTING, CONT. DI DIY KITS TS FROM OM TH THE HA HARD RDWARE ARE STOR ORE Questions I studied related to two types of DIY tests: ▪ Sufficient guidance for homeowners to produce an adequate sample ▪ Sometimes ▪ Can the average homeowner interpret test results, based on info contained in the test? ▪ Not really ▪ How do the DIY kits results compare with UI Analytical Lab results ▪ Poorly; less precise, high variability, but less expensive
LET'S LOOK MORE AT CONSERVATION GOALS RATHER THAN JUST PLANTING ONLY NATIVES, THAT’S NOT ALWAYS RE REALI ALISTIC TIC To succeed we need to redesign residential 2. Store carbon landscapes to: 3. Better manage our watersheds 1. Support diverse pollinator populations and complex food webs How? Plants and the design of these plants, accomplish these goals.
NATIVES AND NEARLY-NATIVES Native Landscaping – Nativ tive e land andscaping scaping ref efer ers s to th the d e des esign, ign, construction, struction, and nd • maint ma intenanc enance e of landscapes ndscapes th that t us use n e nati ative e (indi ndigenous genous) pl plants ants. Naturalized Landscaping – Naturalized Landscaping refers to design, construction, • and maintenance of landscapes that use native (indigenous) plants and nd non-na nativ tive e pl plant ants s in a way y th that t mi mimi mics cs nature ture wi with th a go goal l of achie hieving ving su sust stain ainability ability. Native plants have evolved with our area and with the insects and wildlife they • sustain. IT’S NOT LOW MAINTENCE OR SUSTAINABLE IF YOU PUT THE WRONG PLANT IN THE • WRONG PLACE Do your research on plant needs and micro-site conditions • Match the client’s goals and expectations •
“NATIVE” PLANTS
NATIVES AND NEARLY-NATIVES Natives – Challenges Flower timing and duration Definition of “native” to your clients Brainchild of Dr. Steven Love @ UI Boise Genetic Diversity Developed by Native Roots, LLC Inconsistent plant size and shape Flower color
OUR PERSPCTIVE … DI DISTRI TRIBUTERS, BUTERS, DE DEMO O GAR ARDE DEN N AN AND MY D MY YAR ARD D • Adapted to the area • Good overwintering survival • Easier to grow/maintain • Native plants = habitat for native wildlife, especially, pollinators • Consistent growth habit • Long bloom times • Season-long aesthetics • Flower as young plants
NATIVE ROOTS TAG MEANS… • Predictable “native” plants • Long bloom periods • Diverse plant pallet • Adapted to the area ▪ 30 in 2015, expand over time (200+ in • Hardy plants, good survival que) • Wildlife habitat • Disease resistance
THE POLLINATION PROJECT • The e Pol ollin inati ation on and their necessary Pr Proj oject ect an and Univ d Univer ersi sity ty habitat with of Id of Idah aho o accessible plants De Demo mons nstr trat atio ion n available to Garde Ga den n in insp spir ires a es and nd homeowners ed educ ucat ates ou es our reg egio ion n • Demo reducing about ab out pol olli linat nator ors s an and d pesticides ecos ec osys ystem ems pr s prese esent nt in h in hea ealth thy, , in inno novat ativ ive e • Raise native bees gar arde dens ns an and d lan ands dsca capes pes. • Native-nearly native plant display showing how you can achieve support for pollinators
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