Warning * Rant Ahead * Skip this page if you are not a fan of rants....
The biggest thing I am struggling with in my 2 years since starting on these native plant adventures is just how long it takes for these plants to get started and thrive. I can see why the invasive plants are so appealing to people when they don't know the ecological impact of what non-native plants are doing to our landscapes. Right now you can go to a big box store and buy plants that will immediately thrive within a month or so.
I am used to having that sort of "instant satisfaction" in almost everything I do. I think this mindset/expectation is common in America.
Native plants do not give instant satisfaction. They did not have to/need to before they were ripped out and replaced by plants that were showier and easier to grow. If you have ever driving down a highway here in Indiana you can see that this mindset is not sustainable though.
I really don't know how we are going to fix this landscape that we have produced as a culture.
I have been learning that things of lasting value take time.
My plans for this year are going to be bigger and more patient. I have learned the strategy I think I need moving forward in order to do this restoration process.
Hurry up!
&
Then
Wait....
More winter sowing in my future.
Milk jugs... I need them!
More native seed swaps.
I have to do it now and then wait.
The running list of natives that I have on the property. Might also include a wish list .
In the future I want to be the kind of person that gives starts to other folks who have the heart, but maybe not all the money.
This milk jug sowing is neither a success nor failure right now. There are Paw Paw seeds in there and I won't know until at least May. I got impatient and opened them up and dug through one of the containers. Talk about what not to do. anywho... closed them back up and gonna keep them watered. oh, and pulled the weeds. 7.3.24 *update* Out of the 50 paw paw seeds that were winter sowed 3 came up. Many of the seeds were taken by the local animals over the winter.