Growing Your Own Natives

Growing your own native plants is one of the most effective ways to introduce new life to your garden while contributing to environmental sustainability. Native plants offer tremendous ecological benefits, such as supporting local wildlife, improving soil health, and conserving water. For those looking to minimize their ecological footprint, growing your own native plants is the most sustainable approach. It eliminates the environmental costs associated with transporting plants and maintaining them in greenhouses.

Starting plants from seed is often easier than people think. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in their specific environments, making them especially suited for outdoor growth. In many cases, there's no need for complex indoor or greenhouse setups since these plants flourish in natural weather conditions. Additionally, starting plants from seed is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing fully grown plants. Creating a large garden can quickly become pricey if you need numerous plants to fill the space, but growing from seed allows you to cultivate many plants at a fraction of the cost. This approach helps you save money while building your dream garden.

By growing native plants from seed, you also gain access to unique varieties that are rarely available at garden centres. It’s common to face challenges finding native plants for sale. While we hope more nurseries will stock native species in the future, growing your own is the perfect solution for now. Support local seed sellers by purchasing native seeds. Supporting local businesses while growing your garden is a win-win. We have lists of native seed sellers and native plant nurseries.

Growing native plants can be a deeply rewarding and fulfilling experience. Spending more time in the garden fosters a personal connection to the environment and offers mental and physical health benefits. Being outdoors can reduce stress and increase physical activity, making gardening a healthy and enjoyable pastime.

We recommend becoming part of local community groups, gardening clubs, or online forums dedicated to native gardening in your region. Engaging with these communities allows you to exchange experiences, gain valuable insights, and learn from fellow gardening enthusiasts. It's a fantastic way to deepen your knowledge while connecting with others who share your passion for native plants.

Once you feel confident in your ability to grow native plants, you can even start sharing them as gifts or with neighbours to help expand biodiversity in your area. The easiest way to start growing native plants from seed is Direct Sowing or Winter Sowing.