Episode Introduction

In today's episode, Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals, we go over common mistakes beginner and even intermediate gardeners can make; the virtues of serenity, patience, and open-mindedness in the garden; and how your best-laid plans can come true.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

#gardengoals

• Don't be rigid
• Do have fun
• Don't fall on the sword of perfectionism
• Don't worry about every little weed
• Do think about what your spaces to be
• Do be thoughtful
• Do make a plan, but don't be afraid to deviate from it

Failures are the star-stuff dreams are made of

You know how we are all just leftover particles from dead stars?

The very beginning of human knowledge is screwing up, or at the very least, understanding how things work.

Failure= Understanding Success

We can also acknowledge beautiful things unfolding from devastating realties. Waxing philosophical now...

That being said there may be mistakes you'd like to avoid altogether:

Mistake #1: All planning and no action.

Don't plan stuff out and then not do it. Don't do that to yourself, it's not nice.

• Don't panic! We can help you think of ideas! https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
• You can take Monarch Gardens classes https://www.monarchgard.com/classes.html
• Prairie Moon has some layouts to get you started: https://www.prairiemoon.com/PDF/2020-Prairie-Moon-Nursery.Garden-Kit-Layout-Suggestion_WEB.pdf

Mistake #2: Ignoring the house front.

The front of your house should be the first place you look to make a statement about natural spaces and it's likely the one you frequent the most. Just remember:

• Use cues to care https://www.humanegardener.com/wild-design-home-gardens/
• Mix up bloom times. Think: all seasons
• Keep your space maintained. Weed once a month: at minimum

Mistake #3: Not prepping the space well before getting started. 

How to site prep: https://prairielegacyinc.com/planning-your-prairie/

Think of garden shapes: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/basic-design-principles-and-styles-garden-beds

Mistake #4: Forgetting about ground covers.

Sedges, baby.

Popular ground covers for sun: heath aster, wild strawberry, Missouri evening primrose, silky aster, purple poppy mallow, pussytoes, purple prairie clover and more.

Popular ground covers for shade include wild ginger, violets, wild geranium, zig zag goldenrod, mayapple, shade asters, Virginia waterleaf, and others.

Mistake #5: Not taking sun requirements into account or planting something that likes it wet in dry soil or vice versa.

Look up plant stats, but experimental skepticism is ok.

Mistake #6: Not thinking of adding in paths to weed and access the garden.

Paths can be stepping stones, turf grass, mulch, crushed limestone. The options are there. Just make it easy for yourself to get around. Make paths two to three feet wide.

Mistake #7 Planting a ton of tall stuff by a sidewalk or path, or letting something go to seed and grow there so your paths disappear.

Need a recipe for some potting soil for all the stuff you have to pot up because you psychotically can't bear to waste it??? Yeah???

https://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening/homemade-potting-mix-with-compost

Mistake #8 Planting several aggressive plants, when it’s more practical to control one or two.

Aggressive things to keep an eye on:

• Root Spreaders: wild mint, silphiums, native sunflowers, prairie sage, western yarrow, obedient plant, native roses, elderberry, common milkweed
• Prolific Seeders: hyssops, pitcher sage, tall boneset, verbena stricta, rudbeckias

We are not saying "DO NOT USE" these plants. We are saying decide for yourself if you can handle the maintenance. Many of these are wonderful plants. You can always grow root spreaders in large containers.

Mistake #9 Not planting most things in drifts. 

Drift philosophy: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/fundamentals-of-natural-garden-design

Mistake #10 Trying to do too much all at the same time.

Dream big but start small. Maintain what you finish. Impress your neighbors. Remember we want to win them over!

Be patient

Gardens take time to be at their best. Some plants need years to even get started. Baptisia, leadplant, and shrubby St. John's wort are all plants that need years to really get going.

Let yourself practice and play. Have fun and live a little!

Thank you for listening!

-Stephanie

Additional content related to this episode:

What makes a plant native?

http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

On the Web

BONAP aforementioned

BNPS aforementioned

http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

Books & Authors

Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Native Plants of the Midwest

Planting in a Post-Wild World

Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

Additional Resources

• NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
•  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
•  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/

Other Local Organizations

• Green Bellevue
• PATH
• Nebraska Native Plant Society

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals

Episode Introduction

In today's episode, Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals, we go over common mistakes beginner and even intermediate gardeners can make; the virtues of serenity, patience, and open-mindedness in the garden; and how your best-laid plans can come true.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

#gardengoals

• Don't be rigid
• Do have fun
• Don't fall on the sword of perfectionism
• Don't worry about every little weed
• Do think about what your spaces to be
• Do be thoughtful
• Do make a plan, but don't be afraid to deviate from it

Failures are the star-stuff dreams are made of

You know how we are all just leftover particles from dead stars?

The very beginning of human knowledge is screwing up, or at the very least, understanding how things work.

Failure= Understanding Success

We can also acknowledge beautiful things unfolding from devastating realties. Waxing philosophical now...

That being said there may be mistakes you'd like to avoid altogether:

Mistake #1: All planning and no action.

Don't plan stuff out and then not do it. Don't do that to yourself, it's not nice.

• Don't panic! We can help you think of ideas! https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
• You can take Monarch Gardens classes https://www.monarchgard.com/classes.html
• Prairie Moon has some layouts to get you started: https://www.prairiemoon.com/PDF/2020-Prairie-Moon-Nursery.Garden-Kit-Layout-Suggestion_WEB.pdf

Mistake #2: Ignoring the house front.

The front of your house should be the first place you look to make a statement about natural spaces and it's likely the one you frequent the most. Just remember:

• Use cues to care https://www.humanegardener.com/wild-design-home-gardens/
• Mix up bloom times. Think: all seasons
• Keep your space maintained. Weed once a month: at minimum

Mistake #3: Not prepping the space well before getting started. 

How to site prep: https://prairielegacyinc.com/planning-your-prairie/

Think of garden shapes: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/basic-design-principles-and-styles-garden-beds

Mistake #4: Forgetting about ground covers.

Sedges, baby.

Popular ground covers for sun: heath aster, wild strawberry, Missouri evening primrose, silky aster, purple poppy mallow, pussytoes, purple prairie clover and more.

Popular ground covers for shade include wild ginger, violets, wild geranium, zig zag goldenrod, mayapple, shade asters, Virginia waterleaf, and others.

Mistake #5: Not taking sun requirements into account or planting something that likes it wet in dry soil or vice versa.

Look up plant stats, but experimental skepticism is ok.

Mistake #6: Not thinking of adding in paths to weed and access the garden.

Paths can be stepping stones, turf grass, mulch, crushed limestone. The options are there. Just make it easy for yourself to get around. Make paths two to three feet wide.

Mistake #7 Planting a ton of tall stuff by a sidewalk or path, or letting something go to seed and grow there so your paths disappear.

Need a recipe for some potting soil for all the stuff you have to pot up because you psychotically can't bear to waste it??? Yeah???

https://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening/homemade-potting-mix-with-compost

Mistake #8 Planting several aggressive plants, when it’s more practical to control one or two.

Aggressive things to keep an eye on:

• Root Spreaders: wild mint, silphiums, native sunflowers, prairie sage, western yarrow, obedient plant, native roses, elderberry, common milkweed
• Prolific Seeders: hyssops, pitcher sage, tall boneset, verbena stricta, rudbeckias

We are not saying "DO NOT USE" these plants. We are saying decide for yourself if you can handle the maintenance. Many of these are wonderful plants. You can always grow root spreaders in large containers.

Mistake #9 Not planting most things in drifts. 

Drift philosophy: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/fundamentals-of-natural-garden-design

Mistake #10 Trying to do too much all at the same time.

Dream big but start small. Maintain what you finish. Impress your neighbors. Remember we want to win them over!

Be patient

Gardens take time to be at their best. Some plants need years to even get started. Baptisia, leadplant, and shrubby St. John's wort are all plants that need years to really get going.

Let yourself practice and play. Have fun and live a little!

Thank you for listening!

-Stephanie

Additional content related to this episode:

What makes a plant native?

http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

On the Web

BONAP aforementioned

BNPS aforementioned

http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

Books & Authors

Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Native Plants of the Midwest

Planting in a Post-Wild World

Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

Additional Resources

• NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
•  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
•  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/

Other Local Organizations

• Green Bellevue
• PATH
• Nebraska Native Plant Society

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Turning Big Garden Plans into Small Actionable Projects

Episode Introduction

In today’s episode, The Modern Gardener's Dilemma, I chat with my friend and garden designer Christina Musgrave on how the average person can fight overwhelm and tackle their garden projects with a dose of reason.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Guest Christina Musgrave

Christina Musgrave has spent most of her life as an artist specializing in watercolor and printmaking. During COVID, Christina felt a strong desire to begin her garden journey and fell in love. After discovering the myriad benefits of native gardening, she changed her focus to converting her suburban lawn into pollinator habitat. As much as she enjoys gardening for herself, Christina felt a deep desire to assist others with their gardens as well as educate the necessity of pollinators to the environment. She has since returned to school to become a certified landscape designer and has started her own business, Kingsfoil Gardens.

Christina now uses her background in art and love of gardening to bring joy and appreciation for the native landscape.

Thanks so much for joining us Christina!

Episode Sponsors

.

Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

Kingsfoil Gardens

Visit Christina's website and learn more about her work and business at www.kingsfoilgardens.com

What Most Gardeners Would Do Differently

Plan first, tackle projects in small steps, and remember creating excellence takes time.

Cool Gardeners

Monty Don, UK gardener: not US native-plant focused, but has solid gardening knowledge and techniques

Piet Oudolf, dutch designer that does favor quite a few native plants: very artistic naturalistic landscapes,

Kelly Norris, garden designer and author from Iowa: visually stunning native plant-forward landscapes

How to Start Planning Your Landscape

• Make a list of what kinds of spaces you want
• Look at your existing landscape

How A Designer Might Plan

• BASICS: Get an aerial view of the house via GIS system, Google Earth; check sun tracker apps; make a base map with measurements of everything possible; check window perspectives (from the house to the landscape;) check street or sidewalk perspectives; and GET UTILITIES MARKED!
• FLESHING IT OUT: consider hardscape, paths, seating areas, etc. first! After you have considered the locations of those in your design, a designer may start with trees and shrubs and then work down to perennials and even annuals to hold the space until bigger plants mature

GET YOUR SOIL TESTED!

https://midwestlabs.com/

Traditional Garden Design Touchstones

Consider:

• Scale: Go out and measure, take out some grid paper and play around with stencils, maybe invest in some clear rulers
• Balance: Taper plant sizes so that you don't have height discrepancies. There are always exceptions to every rule but it's good to put similar height plants together and back larger ones to the back of the border and place shorter plants up front
• Repetition (good for aesthetic cohesion)
• Visual Abundance: Mixing Different Plants (mixing different colors, textures, and bloom times)
• Shapes- Curvilinear or Rectilinear, which ideally is matched to existing landscaping
• Multi-Seasonal Interest (again, the different bloom times)
• Habitat Value

Native Annuals to Use as Fillers While Your Plants Mature

Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)

Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora)

Rocky Mountain bee plant (Peritoma serrulata)

Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis)

Christina and Steph's Favorite Plants to Plant "En Masse"

• Wild Strawberry
• Switchgrass
• Prairie Smoke
• Penstemon sp.
• Asters
• Shrubby St. John's Wort

Visualize garden spaces as rooms

It helps! Trust us.

Christina's Favorite Plants for Texture

• Liatris
• Eryngium
• Yarrow

Christina's Favorite Plant Pairings

• Mt. Mint X Coreopsis
• Pussytoes X Plains Oval Sedge
• Smaller Liatris sp. X Sedges

Garden Transitions

Think gates, arbors, hedges, walls, doorways, negative space, etc.

Negative Space: What's That

A place for your eye to rest, negative space can be comprised of turfghass (could be native turf,) balancing smooth texture against rough texture, a color monoculture, hardscaping or fencing vs. plants.\

Christina's 7 Herbaceous Plants She Can't Live Without

1. Wild Strawberry
2. Prairie Smoke (Regional Native)
3. Bradbury's Bee Balm
4. Butterflyweed
5. Rattlesnake Master
6. Prairie Dropseed
7. Plains Oval Sedge

If you've read to the end of this, thank you and I hope it has been informative!

Additional Content Related to This Episode

What Makes a Plant Native?

http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

Local Plant Suppliers

Midwest Natives Nursery

Great Plains Nursery

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

Prairie Legacy Nursery

Mulhall's

Online Plant Suppliers

Prairie Moon Nursery

Prairie Nursery

Stock Seed

On the Web

BONAP aforementioned

Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

Books & Authors

Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Native Plants of the Midwest

Planting in a Post-Wild World

Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

Additional Resources

• NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
•  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
•  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/

Other Local Organizations

• Green Bellevue
• PATH
• Milkweed Matters
• Nebraska Native Plant Society

Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

Get some merch! The Modern Gardener's Dilemma

Turning Big Garden Plans into Small Actionable Projects

Episode Introduction

In today’s episode, The Modern Gardener's Dilemma, I chat with my friend and garden designer Christina Musgrave on how the average person can fight overwhelm and tackle their garden projects with a dose of reason.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Guest Christina Musgrave

Christina Musgrave has spent most of her life as an artist specializing in watercolor and printmaking. During COVID, Christina felt a strong desire to begin her garden journey and fell in love. After discovering the myriad benefits of native gardening, she changed her focus to converting her suburban lawn into pollinator habitat. As much as she enjoys gardening for herself, Christina felt a deep desire to assist others with their gardens as well as educate the necessity of pollinators to the environment. She has since returned to school to become a certified landscape designer and has started her own business, Kingsfoil Gardens.

Christina now uses her background in art and love of gardening to bring joy and appreciation for the native landscape.

Thanks so much for joining us Christina!

Episode Sponsors

.

Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

Kingsfoil Gardens

Visit Christina's website and learn more about her work and business at www.kingsfoilgardens.com

What Most Gardeners Would Do Differently

Plan first, tackle projects in small steps, and remember creating excellence takes time.

Cool Gardeners

Monty Don, UK gardener: not US native-plant focused, but has solid gardening knowledge and techniques

Piet Oudolf, dutch designer that does favor quite a few native plants: very artistic naturalistic landscapes,

Kelly Norris, garden designer and author from Iowa: visually stunning native plant-forward landscapes

How to Start Planning Your Landscape

• Make a list of what kinds of spaces you want
• Look at your existing landscape

How A Designer Might Plan

• BASICS: Get an aerial view of the house via GIS system, Google Earth; check sun tracker apps; make a base map with measurements of everything possible; check window perspectives (from the house to the landscape;) check street or sidewalk perspectives; and GET UTILITIES MARKED!
• FLESHING IT OUT: consider hardscape, paths, seating areas, etc. first! After you have considered the locations of those in your design, a designer may start with trees and shrubs and then work down to perennials and even annuals to hold the space until bigger plants mature

GET YOUR SOIL TESTED!

https://midwestlabs.com/

Traditional Garden Design Touchstones

Consider:

• Scale: Go out and measure, take out some grid paper and play around with stencils, maybe invest in some clear rulers
• Balance: Taper plant sizes so that you don't have height discrepancies. There are always exceptions to every rule but it's good to put similar height plants together and back larger ones to the back of the border and place shorter plants up front
• Repetition (good for aesthetic cohesion)
• Visual Abundance: Mixing Different Plants (mixing different colors, textures, and bloom times)
• Shapes- Curvilinear or Rectilinear, which ideally is matched to existing landscaping
• Multi-Seasonal Interest (again, the different bloom times)
• Habitat Value

Native Annuals to Use as Fillers While Your Plants Mature

Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)

Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora)

Rocky Mountain bee plant (Peritoma serrulata)

Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis)

Christina and Steph's Favorite Plants to Plant "En Masse"

• Wild Strawberry
• Switchgrass
• Prairie Smoke
• Penstemon sp.
• Asters
• Shrubby St. John's Wort

Visualize garden spaces as rooms

It helps! Trust us.

Christina's Favorite Plants for Texture

• Liatris
• Eryngium
• Yarrow

Christina's Favorite Plant Pairings

• Mt. Mint X Coreopsis
• Pussytoes X Plains Oval Sedge
• Smaller Liatris sp. X Sedges

Garden Transitions

Think gates, arbors, hedges, walls, doorways, negative space, etc.

Negative Space: What's That

A place for your eye to rest, negative space can be comprised of turfghass (could be native turf,) balancing smooth texture against rough texture, a color monoculture, hardscaping or fencing vs. plants.\

Christina's 7 Herbaceous Plants She Can't Live Without

1. Wild Strawberry
2. Prairie Smoke (Regional Native)
3. Bradbury's Bee Balm
4. Butterflyweed
5. Rattlesnake Master
6. Prairie Dropseed
7. Plains Oval Sedge

If you've read to the end of this, thank you and I hope it has been informative!

Additional Content Related to This Episode

What Makes a Plant Native?

http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

Local Plant Suppliers

Midwest Natives Nursery

Great Plains Nursery

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

Prairie Legacy Nursery

Mulhall's

Online Plant Suppliers

Prairie Moon Nursery

Prairie Nursery

Stock Seed

On the Web

BONAP aforementioned

Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

Books & Authors

Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Native Plants of the Midwest

Planting in a Post-Wild World

Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

Additional Resources

• NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
•  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
•  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/

Other Local Organizations

• Green Bellevue
• PATH
• Milkweed Matters
• Nebraska Native Plant Society

Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Introduction

In today's episode, The Truth About Dandelions, we discuss what it means for a plant to be useful, what bees really want in their bento box, and resources for you to grow a rebellious garden year-round that humans and wildlife can enjoy.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Episode Sponsors

Today's episode is sponsored by:

Lauritzen Gardens

laurtizengardens.org

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

Dandelions: Public Enemy #1 Vs. Freedom Fighter?

Our parents (I'm looking at you, boomers) and their parents bought in to the idea of pristine and high-maintenance landscapes and dandelions look like a rebellious boy on a motor-bike.

What Dandelions and Native Plants Have in Common

Both native and non-native plants can be judged for being unruly and not conforming to societal expectations for perfect, tidy landscapes. But in aspiring to have native-plant forward gardens, we try to rely less on ideal aesthetics and more on what is wholesome for wildlife but also, sustainable.

Respect What's Native Where It's Native While Also Acknowledging Naturalized Plants Can Have Useful Qualities.

What's native will change where you go. It varies across the U.S. and across the globe. There's a strong benefit to planting locally historical plants but that doesn't mean we need to demonize all non-native plants. One-size-fits all never really lives up to its name, does it?

A Little Backstory on the Dandelion

The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is native to Europe and Asia and is a true herb of antiquity. So for those of you who might not know, it’s not native. 

Ancient Medical 

Has been hailed for its many medicinal uses including problems with the bladder, liver, and stomach.

Culinary Wonder

Every part of the plant is edible, which is unique for most plants. We’re talking salads, cooked greens, edible flowers, teas, wine. 

Indigenous Use

The Iroquois tribe alone used it for pain relief, to treat dropsy, digestive and urinary problems, and lung inflammation, among other things. Many other tribes learned its usefulness quickly. 

Do Bees Need Dandelions?

No, while generalists may browse them year-round( long bloom time,) generalists use whatever sources are available. There are other more nutritious foods and there are foods that cater to all bees, not just the generalists. 

Don’t Dandelions Bloom Before Everything Else? 

Only if all you have is brome or Kentucky bluegrass. 

Early-Blooming Natives for Shade

• Bloodroot
• Jacob’s Ladder
• Spring Beauty
• Common Violet

Early-Blooming Natives for Sun

• Prairie Smoke *regional native
• Spiderwort
• Pasque Flower
• Golden Alexander
• Field Pussytoes
• Canada Anemone
• Virginia Waterleaf
• Penstemon *native and regionally native species
• Wild Geranium

Native Trees for Early Bee Nutrition

• American Bladdernut
• Ohio Buckeye
• Downy Serviceberry
• Eastern Redbud
• Chokecherry

Powerhouse Natives for Bees Year-Round

• Native Sunflowers
• Asters
• Goldenrods
• Milkweeds
• Mountain Mints
• Yarrow (our native species)
• Coneflowers (Echinacea and Ratibida species)
• Verbena Stricta

Nutritious Trees and Shrubs

• Dogwood
• Sumac
• Elderberry
• Native Viburnums
• Buttonbush

Know Your Stuff

If you care about bees, there is a lot of really great literature out there right now by Heather Holm, the Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership, and other experts and organizations. 

Heather Holm Bees: An Identification and Native Forage Guide

Heather's Free Resources: https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/resources.html

Two handouts through The Xerces Society:

"Bumble Bee Conservation"

https://www.xerces.org/publications/brochures/bumble-bee-conservation 

"Native Plants for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Northern Plains"

 https://www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-027_01_NPPBI—NorthernPlains_web.pdf 

The Xerces Society books:

• Attracting Native Pollinators
• 100 Plants to Feed the Bees

Pollinator Partnership has a Prairie Parkland Planting Guide: https://pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/PrairieParklandrx12FINAL.pdf

If you don't keep it

• Compost it
• Make wine out of it
• Make salad out of it
• Make other food with it

Cool links:

https://foragerchef.com/category/wild-green-recipes/dandelions/

https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-dandelions-harvesting-and-cooking/

https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-dandelion-wine-1327932

Our source for historical indigenous use:

Daniel Moerman's Native American Ethnobotany

Additional content related to this episode:

What makes a plant native?

http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

On the Web

BONAP aforementioned

BNPS aforementioned

http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

Books & Authors

Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Native Plants of the Midwest

Planting in a Post-Wild World

Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

Additional Resources

• NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and...]]>The Truth About Dandelions

  Episode Introduction

  In today's episode, The Truth About Dandelions, we discuss what it means for a plant to be useful, what bees really want in their bento box, and resources for you to grow a rebellious garden year-round that humans and wildlife can enjoy.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  Dandelions: Public Enemy #1 Vs. Freedom Fighter?

  Our parents (I'm looking at you, boomers) and their parents bought in to the idea of pristine and high-maintenance landscapes and dandelions look like a rebellious boy on a motor-bike.

  What Dandelions and Native Plants Have in Common

  Both native and non-native plants can be judged for being unruly and not conforming to societal expectations for perfect, tidy landscapes. But in aspiring to have native-plant forward gardens, we try to rely less on ideal aesthetics and more on what is wholesome for wildlife but also, sustainable.

  Respect What's Native Where It's Native While Also Acknowledging Naturalized Plants Can Have Useful Qualities.

  What's native will change where you go. It varies across the U.S. and across the globe. There's a strong benefit to planting locally historical plants but that doesn't mean we need to demonize all non-native plants. One-size-fits all never really lives up to its name, does it?

  A Little Backstory on the Dandelion

  The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is native to Europe and Asia and is a true herb of antiquity. So for those of you who might not know, it’s not native. 

  Ancient Medical 

  Has been hailed for its many medicinal uses including problems with the bladder, liver, and stomach.

  Culinary Wonder

  Every part of the plant is edible, which is unique for most plants. We’re talking salads, cooked greens, edible flowers, teas, wine. 

  Indigenous Use

  The Iroquois tribe alone used it for pain relief, to treat dropsy, digestive and urinary problems, and lung inflammation, among other things. Many other tribes learned its usefulness quickly. 

  Do Bees Need Dandelions?

  No, while generalists may browse them year-round( long bloom time,) generalists use whatever sources are available. There are other more nutritious foods and there are foods that cater to all bees, not just the generalists. 

  Don’t Dandelions Bloom Before Everything Else? 

  Only if all you have is brome or Kentucky bluegrass. 

  Early-Blooming Natives for Shade

  • Bloodroot
  • Jacob’s Ladder
  • Spring Beauty
  • Common Violet
  
  

  Early-Blooming Natives for Sun

  • Prairie Smoke *regional native
  • Spiderwort
  • Pasque Flower
  • Golden Alexander
  • Field Pussytoes
  • Canada Anemone
  • Virginia Waterleaf
  • Penstemon *native and regionally native species
  • Wild Geranium
  
  

  Native Trees for Early Bee Nutrition

  • American Bladdernut
  • Ohio Buckeye
  • Downy Serviceberry
  • Eastern Redbud
  • Chokecherry
  
  

  Powerhouse Natives for Bees Year-Round

  • Native Sunflowers
  • Asters
  • Goldenrods
  • Milkweeds
  • Mountain Mints
  • Yarrow (our native species)
  • Coneflowers (Echinacea and Ratibida species)
  • Verbena Stricta
  
  

  Nutritious Trees and Shrubs

  • Dogwood
  • Sumac
  • Elderberry
  • Native Viburnums
  • Buttonbush
  
  

  Know Your Stuff

  If you care about bees, there is a lot of really great literature out there right now by Heather Holm, the Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership, and other experts and organizations. 

  Heather Holm Bees: An Identification and Native Forage Guide

  Heather's Free Resources: https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/resources.html

  Two handouts through The Xerces Society:

  "Bumble Bee Conservation"

  https://www.xerces.org/publications/brochures/bumble-bee-conservation 

  "Native Plants for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Northern Plains"

   https://www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-027_01_NPPBI—NorthernPlains_web.pdf 

  The Xerces Society books:

  • Attracting Native Pollinators
  • 100 Plants to Feed the Bees
  
  

  Pollinator Partnership has a Prairie Parkland Planting Guide: https://pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/PrairieParklandrx12FINAL.pdf

  If you don't keep it

  • Compost it
  • Make wine out of it
  • Make salad out of it
  • Make other food with it
  
  

  Cool links:

  https://foragerchef.com/category/wild-green-recipes/dandelions/

  https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-dandelions-harvesting-and-cooking/

  https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-dandelion-wine-1327932

  Our source for historical indigenous use:

  Daniel Moerman's Native American Ethnobotany

  Additional content related to this episode:

  What makes a plant native?

  http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

  https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

  native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

  On the Web

  BONAP aforementioned

  BNPS aforementioned

  http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

  Books & Authors

  Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

  Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

  Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

  Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

  Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

  Native Plants of the Midwest

  Planting in a Post-Wild World

  Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

  Additional Resources

  • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
  •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
  •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
  
  

  Other Local Organizations

  • Green Bellevue
  • PATH
  • Nebraska Native Plant Society
  
  

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  ]]>9eac4f85-564b-48f3-a3bb-1e85388f0f5fWed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -050014:09falsefull332323Back to Business with Host Stephanie BarelmanBack To Business

  Episode Introduction

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  Welcome to a brand new season of Plant Native Nebraska. We have an incredible lineup of episodes this year that I am anxious to share with you. Thank you to all of our listeners, sponsors, supporters that have made another year of this podcast possible. 

  As usual, the podcast will balance monologues and interviews to give you different perspectives navigating the world of native plants. 

  This is not a native plant purist show, but it is a show that is pro-native plant. We acknowledge that not all native plants are superior and not all exotic plants are inferior at providing pollen or nectar. We also acknowledge that not all exotic plants are invasive. 

  That being said, most landscapes without native plants are essentially food deserts. We’re not talking about your crazy neighbor’s garden that has a million annuals and exotics and is full of pollinators in the summer. We’re talking about the average person’s landscape of Kentucky bluegrass, Round-up dirt patches, a few evergreens, and a smattering of Asian shrubs for foundation plantings.  

  Now, we aren’t here to trash non-native landscapes. Most folks simply don’t have the time, money, or know-how to do better. Thus, the reason this podcast exists! 

  Most plants native to your location are suitable for your local climate, soil conditions, and are imperative for pollinator and wildlife health. This does not mean to plop a wetland plant in a dry, full-sun garden bed or to plant a prairie plant in your boggy backyard that’s always wet due to your neighbor’s sprinkling system. There’s a reason for the mantra, “Right plant, right place.” Although, who you ask about the right plant may lead to different results. Gardeners can be opinionated folks. 

  Lucky for us, conservationists, educators, entomologists, botanists, nurserymen, authors, and other experts are making it easier than ever to know what native plants to plant where. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum has excellent lists, you can also visit Pollinator.org and xerces.org for ecoregion guides that directly cater to you and take the hard work out of brainstorming. 

  I hope this podcast will serve as one of many jumping-off points that give you a more clear idea of how to start planting. If your yard is hot and dry, look for prairie plants: tall grass or shortgrass prairie is fine. If your yard is shaded from overhead evergreens or you’re knee-deep in the woods, look at midwestern woodland plants. If you have an area that is sunny and consistently damp or perfect for a rain garden, look into wetland plants. The folks over at Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln, Great Plains Nursery in Weston, or Prairie Legacy in Western would be happy to help you find appropriate plants from their catalog. 

  Don’t neglect shrubs and trees in your quest to plant native. Extreme temperatures make that Southside oak or black cherry more appealing. Shrubs provide wonderful cover for birds, forageable food for wildlife and humans alike, and some wonderful structure when the perennials are in their growing stage or dormant during the winter. 

  If you aren’t yet familiar with the importance of native plant families to certain pollinators and local wildlife, we recommend the books from authors Doug Tallamy or Heather Holm, either via your local library or procuring them from your local bookseller. We also recommend publications released by Wild Ones, the Xerces Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Pollinator Partnership, and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. 

  A successful native garden:

  • Hosts insect species in their larval stage with native grasses
  • Provides nutritious nectar and pollen to foraging pollinators during the growing season with native wildflowers
  • Provides cover to birds and small mammals year-round via shrubbery and trees
  • Provides nutrition to overwintering birds during harsh winter months via wildflower seeds, rose hips, and other native fruiting plants
  • Provides a place for overwintering insects to bunker down and emerge from in spring via dormant stems
  
  

  What do all these qualifiers have in common? 

  A functioning, ecological garden provides species survival. Pure and simple. You are creating a living paradise for species to be born and fulfill their life cycles in. You are creating a net positive in a world largely out of our control. You are creating a refuge, a haven, a habitat, and don’t forget that we also are a species that benefits from these healthy environments. 

  Over the last several years, countless studies have shown the effect that immersion in green spaces has on human health, happiness, and quality of life. Those struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental illness consistently report that being in nature alleviates symptoms. Some of the plants themselves have tangible benefits to us, those species that can be foraged for food, medicine, or other therapeutic benefits such as aromatherapy. Not to mention there are studies showing that simple skin contact with the soil exposes us to beneficial microbes that get this : release serotonin, strengthen the immune system, reduce allergic response, and improve mood. 

  Are you like the majority of us beating yourself up for not getting to the gym? Gardening targets every main muscle group with the variety of tasks you will take on during the course of a day in the garden. 

  So my proposal for what seems to be an already very stressful 2025 cloaked in a world of uncertainty is this: Get outside, plant some vibrant, wholesome, sustainable, native-plant-forward gardens. Get that wonderful healthy dose of serotonin, make some pollinator friends, help restore habitat, burn some calories, and harvest a few things here and there for food, medicine, or simply to fill a vase from time to time. Your life will be better for it and if you’re anything like me, the view will be a joy every time.

  Tune in to the third season of Plant Native Nebraska, excepting kid drama, bad weather, and mental breakdowns, every other Wednesday from March 19th to November 26th! 

  Happy planting, everyone.

  Additional content related to this episode:

  What makes a plant native?

  http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

  https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

  native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

  On the Web

  BONAP aforementioned

  BNPS aforementioned

  http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

  Books & Authors

  Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

  Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

  Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

  Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

  Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

  Native Plants of the Midwest

  Planting in a...]]>Back To Business

  Episode Introduction

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  Welcome to a brand new season of Plant Native Nebraska. We have an incredible lineup of episodes this year that I am anxious to share with you. Thank you to all of our listeners, sponsors, supporters that have made another year of this podcast possible. 

  As usual, the podcast will balance monologues and interviews to give you different perspectives navigating the world of native plants. 

  This is not a native plant purist show, but it is a show that is pro-native plant. We acknowledge that not all native plants are superior and not all exotic plants are inferior at providing pollen or nectar. We also acknowledge that not all exotic plants are invasive. 

  That being said, most landscapes without native plants are essentially food deserts. We’re not talking about your crazy neighbor’s garden that has a million annuals and exotics and is full of pollinators in the summer. We’re talking about the average person’s landscape of Kentucky bluegrass, Round-up dirt patches, a few evergreens, and a smattering of Asian shrubs for foundation plantings.  

  Now, we aren’t here to trash non-native landscapes. Most folks simply don’t have the time, money, or know-how to do better. Thus, the reason this podcast exists! 

  Most plants native to your location are suitable for your local climate, soil conditions, and are imperative for pollinator and wildlife health. This does not mean to plop a wetland plant in a dry, full-sun garden bed or to plant a prairie plant in your boggy backyard that’s always wet due to your neighbor’s sprinkling system. There’s a reason for the mantra, “Right plant, right place.” Although, who you ask about the right plant may lead to different results. Gardeners can be opinionated folks. 

  Lucky for us, conservationists, educators, entomologists, botanists, nurserymen, authors, and other experts are making it easier than ever to know what native plants to plant where. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum has excellent lists, you can also visit Pollinator.org and xerces.org for ecoregion guides that directly cater to you and take the hard work out of brainstorming. 

  I hope this podcast will serve as one of many jumping-off points that give you a more clear idea of how to start planting. If your yard is hot and dry, look for prairie plants: tall grass or shortgrass prairie is fine. If your yard is shaded from overhead evergreens or you’re knee-deep in the woods, look at midwestern woodland plants. If you have an area that is sunny and consistently damp or perfect for a rain garden, look into wetland plants. The folks over at Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln, Great Plains Nursery in Weston, or Prairie Legacy in Western would be happy to help you find appropriate plants from their catalog. 

  Don’t neglect shrubs and trees in your quest to plant native. Extreme temperatures make that Southside oak or black cherry more appealing. Shrubs provide wonderful cover for birds, forageable food for wildlife and humans alike, and some wonderful structure when the perennials are in their growing stage or dormant during the winter. 

  If you aren’t yet familiar with the importance of native plant families to certain pollinators and local wildlife, we recommend the books from authors Doug Tallamy or Heather Holm, either via your local library or procuring them from your local bookseller. We also recommend publications released by Wild Ones, the Xerces Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Pollinator Partnership, and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. 

  A successful native garden:

  • Hosts insect species in their larval stage with native grasses
  • Provides nutritious nectar and pollen to foraging pollinators during the growing season with native wildflowers
  • Provides cover to birds and small mammals year-round via shrubbery and trees
  • Provides nutrition to overwintering birds during harsh winter months via wildflower seeds, rose hips, and other native fruiting plants
  • Provides a place for overwintering insects to bunker down and emerge from in spring via dormant stems
  
  

  What do all these qualifiers have in common? 

  A functioning, ecological garden provides species survival. Pure and simple. You are creating a living paradise for species to be born and fulfill their life cycles in. You are creating a net positive in a world largely out of our control. You are creating a refuge, a haven, a habitat, and don’t forget that we also are a species that benefits from these healthy environments. 

  Over the last several years, countless studies have shown the effect that immersion in green spaces has on human health, happiness, and quality of life. Those struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental illness consistently report that being in nature alleviates symptoms. Some of the plants themselves have tangible benefits to us, those species that can be foraged for food, medicine, or other therapeutic benefits such as aromatherapy. Not to mention there are studies showing that simple skin contact with the soil exposes us to beneficial microbes that get this : release serotonin, strengthen the immune system, reduce allergic response, and improve mood. 

  Are you like the majority of us beating yourself up for not getting to the gym? Gardening targets every main muscle group with the variety of tasks you will take on during the course of a day in the garden. 

  So my proposal for what seems to be an already very stressful 2025 cloaked in a world of uncertainty is this: Get outside, plant some vibrant, wholesome, sustainable, native-plant-forward gardens. Get that wonderful healthy dose of serotonin, make some pollinator friends, help restore habitat, burn some calories, and harvest a few things here and there for food, medicine, or simply to fill a vase from time to time. Your life will be better for it and if you’re anything like me, the view will be a joy every time.

  Tune in to the third season of Plant Native Nebraska, excepting kid drama, bad weather, and mental breakdowns, every other Wednesday from March 19th to November 26th! 

  Happy planting, everyone.

  Additional content related to this episode:

  What makes a plant native?

  http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

  https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

  native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

  On the Web

  BONAP aforementioned

  BNPS aforementioned

  http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

  Books & Authors

  Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

  Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

  Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

  Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

  Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

  Native Plants of the Midwest

  Planting in a Post-Wild World

  Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

  Additional Resources

  • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
  •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
  •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
  
  

  Other Local Organizations

  • Green Bellevue
  • PATH
  • Nebraska Native Plant Society
  
  

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  ]]>316b5f31-d02a-476e-9bc9-35d994a7955aThu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -050008:45falsefull331313Building Bee-Friendly Habitats with Author Heather HolmShow notes coming soon!
  ]]>Show notes coming soon!
  ]]>0c364cdc-847b-4c5e-a13f-7d0f72143f87Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -050001:12:12falsefull230302Fall in Love with Native Plants with Host Stephanie Barelman (Re-Run of Episode 13)Fall in Love with Native Plants

  Episode Introduction

  In today's episode, Fall in Love with Native Plants, we go over why not to neglect the three season garden and the many native perennials and grasses you can incorporate for fall interest.

  We've dug into our archives and given new life to an old episode. Come for a refresh on some great native fall-blooming plants in case you need some ideas for some last-ditch fall projects.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  I've gleaned a lot of today's fun insect info from Heather Holm's book Pollinators of Native Plants: https://amzn.to/3ZyEK85

  Go find her podcast episode from last October for more seasonally-relevant info!

  Fall Plant Families

  • Asters 
  
  

  New England aster

  • Come one come all bees, butterflies, and moths!
  • Host plant for pearl crescent butterfly
  • Caters to specialist Andrea mining bee
  • Nectar source for small carpenter bees, leaf cutter bees, bumblebees, green sweat bees
  • Nectar source for arcigera flower moth
  • Nectar source for buckeye and crescent butterflies 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies, soldier beetles
  • Beautiful color, nice tall aster for a moist area of your garden
  
  

  Also:

  heath aster

  Looks like a snowy blanket in bloom ('snow flurry') or if using the straight native species, like snow covered branches reaching up

  Growth habit from 1 foot to 3 feet, two completely different habits depending on if you use 'snow flurry cultivar' or the straight native species

  Other utility: long lived aster, suited for dry, tough areas

  silky aster

  Looks very delicate, grows around things, very wispy and ethereal 

  Growth habit up to 1 foot and a half 

  heartleaf aster

  Looks heart shaped leaves periwinkle flowers

  Growth habit up to 3 feet, likes to show up everywhere and you will let it

  smooth blue aster

  Looks bluish purple with blue green leaves 

  Growth habit shrubby but open 

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Host plant status crescent butterflies 

  sky blue aster

  Looks another pale purple aster, very similar to smooth aster

  Growth habit up to 3 feet 

  aromatic aster

  True to its name another pale purple aster up to 2 feet, popular one the rabbits don’t seem to eat. 

  • bonesets
  
  

  tall boneset

  Looks tall with tight clustered fireworks of white, stout, doesn’t need much support, dense 

  Growth habit up to 5 feet 

  • sunflowers
  
  

  Maximilian sunflower

  • Larval host for the silvery checkerspot butterfly
  • Late seasonal forage Nectar source for monarchs
  • Nectar for bumblebees, sweat bees, and long horned bees
  • Bee paradise 
  • Whip out your whiskey barrels people!
  
  

  Also:

  sawtooth sunflower

  Looks tall majestic yellow sunflowers with large green leaves

  Growth habit colony forming up to about 6 feet

  We saw a great example of this at Little Salt Fork Marsh Preserve near Lincoln in Raymond, NE. Indian grass, little bluestem, and sawtooth sunflower: heaven.

  western sunflower

  Looks similar to false sunflower, delicate yellow daisy shaped blooms

  Growth habit up to 3 feet

  Blooms from July to September 

  Jerusalem artichoke

  Native sunflower with edible tubers, aggressive but we talk about its usefulness and how to grow it in our native edible plant series, specifically our episode on vegetables, greens, and alliums

  • Petunias
  
  

  wild petunia

  • Larval host plant for common buckeye butterfly
  • Pollen for green sweat bee, syrphid flies 
  • Nectar and pollen for leaf cutter bees
  • Nectar sweat bees and small carpenter bees 
  • This one is very delicate and blooms off and on in my front garden, works perfect as an understory plant underneath all your taller garden plants
  • Ironweed
  
  

  common ironweed

  • Larval host plant for parthenice tiger moth
  • Caters to specialist long horned bees (melissodes denticulate and melissodes vernoniae)
  • Nectar for green sweat bees, bumble bees, leaf cutter bees
  • Nectar for syrphid flies and soldier beetles
  • Nectar for pecks skipper and eastern tiger swallowtail 
  • Beautiful vibrant purple blooms great for a moister area of the garden like the bottom of a hill or other depression
  • Goldenrods
  
  

  stiff goldenrod

  • buffet for our diverse insect friends 
  • Larval host plant for the dart moth
  • Plant that caters to the specialist insect Andrena mining bees
  • Nectar for long horned bees, sweat bees, bumblebees, leaf cutter bees, carpenter bees
  • Nectar for paper wasp, golden digger wasp
  • Nectar for monarchs 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies
  • Pollen for locust borer beetle
  
  

  zig zag goldenrod

  • Feed your hordes of varied bugs
  • Larval host for brown hooded owlet moth and twirler moth, yes there is a moth called a twirler moth and I want it to be my friend
  • Caters to specialist Andrena mining bees
  • Nectar for sweat bees, yellow faced bees, green sweat bees, bumblebees 
  • Nectar for carrot wasps, mason wasps, paper wasps 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies
  • Pollen for Andrena mining bees
  • Great goldenrod for dappled light areas, will tolerate light shade
  
  

  Also:

  canada goldenrod

  Looks like goldenrod!

  Growth habit stout goldenrod, aggressive spreader perfect for wild spaces or in an area you can let it grow into a nice patch

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Can be a good rain garden addition, especially with obedient plant and swamp milkweed

  Missouri goldenrod

  Looks like goldenrod!

  Growth habit 3 feet or so, a little floppy

  Early blooming!

  showy goldenrod

  Looks a nice gorgeous specimen true to its name, not too bad on flopping

  Growth habit up to 5 feet

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Also: look into goldenrod if you're interested in native plant dyes

  Disclaimer: I've introduced you to a rabbit hole...

  • Sneezeweeds
  
  

  Helenium autumnale

  cheerful yellow flowers

  looks great in a rain garden

  • Milkweeds
  
  

  butterfly milkweed

  • Diverse pollinator parfait
  • That rare bright orange that looks amazing next to our purple, yellow,  and light pink flowers 
  • Host plant for monarch, queen butterfly, and the milkweed tussock moth
  • Provides nectar for great spangled fritillary, sulphur butterflies 
  • Nectar for paper wasps 
  • Nectar for ants and soldier beetles, so set your picnic up right next to some blooming butterfly weed and they’ll leave your sandwiches alone
  • Nectar for leaf cutter bees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees 
  
  

  Also:

  whorled milkweed

  Looks delicate white orchid shaped flowers,...]]>Fall in Love with Native Plants

  Episode Introduction

  In today's episode, Fall in Love with Native Plants, we go over why not to neglect the three season garden and the many native perennials and grasses you can incorporate for fall interest.

  We've dug into our archives and given new life to an old episode. Come for a refresh on some great native fall-blooming plants in case you need some ideas for some last-ditch fall projects.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  I've gleaned a lot of today's fun insect info from Heather Holm's book Pollinators of Native Plants: https://amzn.to/3ZyEK85

  Go find her podcast episode from last October for more seasonally-relevant info!

  Fall Plant Families

  • Asters 
  
  

  New England aster

  • Come one come all bees, butterflies, and moths!
  • Host plant for pearl crescent butterfly
  • Caters to specialist Andrea mining bee
  • Nectar source for small carpenter bees, leaf cutter bees, bumblebees, green sweat bees
  • Nectar source for arcigera flower moth
  • Nectar source for buckeye and crescent butterflies 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies, soldier beetles
  • Beautiful color, nice tall aster for a moist area of your garden
  
  

  Also:

  heath aster

  Looks like a snowy blanket in bloom ('snow flurry') or if using the straight native species, like snow covered branches reaching up

  Growth habit from 1 foot to 3 feet, two completely different habits depending on if you use 'snow flurry cultivar' or the straight native species

  Other utility: long lived aster, suited for dry, tough areas

  silky aster

  Looks very delicate, grows around things, very wispy and ethereal 

  Growth habit up to 1 foot and a half 

  heartleaf aster

  Looks heart shaped leaves periwinkle flowers

  Growth habit up to 3 feet, likes to show up everywhere and you will let it

  smooth blue aster

  Looks bluish purple with blue green leaves 

  Growth habit shrubby but open 

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Host plant status crescent butterflies 

  sky blue aster

  Looks another pale purple aster, very similar to smooth aster

  Growth habit up to 3 feet 

  aromatic aster

  True to its name another pale purple aster up to 2 feet, popular one the rabbits don’t seem to eat. 

  • bonesets
  
  

  tall boneset

  Looks tall with tight clustered fireworks of white, stout, doesn’t need much support, dense 

  Growth habit up to 5 feet 

  • sunflowers
  
  

  Maximilian sunflower

  • Larval host for the silvery checkerspot butterfly
  • Late seasonal forage Nectar source for monarchs
  • Nectar for bumblebees, sweat bees, and long horned bees
  • Bee paradise 
  • Whip out your whiskey barrels people!
  
  

  Also:

  sawtooth sunflower

  Looks tall majestic yellow sunflowers with large green leaves

  Growth habit colony forming up to about 6 feet

  We saw a great example of this at Little Salt Fork Marsh Preserve near Lincoln in Raymond, NE. Indian grass, little bluestem, and sawtooth sunflower: heaven.

  western sunflower

  Looks similar to false sunflower, delicate yellow daisy shaped blooms

  Growth habit up to 3 feet

  Blooms from July to September 

  Jerusalem artichoke

  Native sunflower with edible tubers, aggressive but we talk about its usefulness and how to grow it in our native edible plant series, specifically our episode on vegetables, greens, and alliums

  • Petunias
  
  

  wild petunia

  • Larval host plant for common buckeye butterfly
  • Pollen for green sweat bee, syrphid flies 
  • Nectar and pollen for leaf cutter bees
  • Nectar sweat bees and small carpenter bees 
  • This one is very delicate and blooms off and on in my front garden, works perfect as an understory plant underneath all your taller garden plants
  • Ironweed
  
  

  common ironweed

  • Larval host plant for parthenice tiger moth
  • Caters to specialist long horned bees (melissodes denticulate and melissodes vernoniae)
  • Nectar for green sweat bees, bumble bees, leaf cutter bees
  • Nectar for syrphid flies and soldier beetles
  • Nectar for pecks skipper and eastern tiger swallowtail 
  • Beautiful vibrant purple blooms great for a moister area of the garden like the bottom of a hill or other depression
  • Goldenrods
  
  

  stiff goldenrod

  • buffet for our diverse insect friends 
  • Larval host plant for the dart moth
  • Plant that caters to the specialist insect Andrena mining bees
  • Nectar for long horned bees, sweat bees, bumblebees, leaf cutter bees, carpenter bees
  • Nectar for paper wasp, golden digger wasp
  • Nectar for monarchs 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies
  • Pollen for locust borer beetle
  
  

  zig zag goldenrod

  • Feed your hordes of varied bugs
  • Larval host for brown hooded owlet moth and twirler moth, yes there is a moth called a twirler moth and I want it to be my friend
  • Caters to specialist Andrena mining bees
  • Nectar for sweat bees, yellow faced bees, green sweat bees, bumblebees 
  • Nectar for carrot wasps, mason wasps, paper wasps 
  • Nectar and pollen for syrphid flies
  • Pollen for Andrena mining bees
  • Great goldenrod for dappled light areas, will tolerate light shade
  
  

  Also:

  canada goldenrod

  Looks like goldenrod!

  Growth habit stout goldenrod, aggressive spreader perfect for wild spaces or in an area you can let it grow into a nice patch

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Can be a good rain garden addition, especially with obedient plant and swamp milkweed

  Missouri goldenrod

  Looks like goldenrod!

  Growth habit 3 feet or so, a little floppy

  Early blooming!

  showy goldenrod

  Looks a nice gorgeous specimen true to its name, not too bad on flopping

  Growth habit up to 5 feet

  Late season nectar forage YES!

  Also: look into goldenrod if you're interested in native plant dyes

  Disclaimer: I've introduced you to a rabbit hole...

  • Sneezeweeds
  
  

  Helenium autumnale

  cheerful yellow flowers

  looks great in a rain garden

  • Milkweeds
  
  

  butterfly milkweed

  • Diverse pollinator parfait
  • That rare bright orange that looks amazing next to our purple, yellow,  and light pink flowers 
  • Host plant for monarch, queen butterfly, and the milkweed tussock moth
  • Provides nectar for great spangled fritillary, sulphur butterflies 
  • Nectar for paper wasps 
  • Nectar for ants and soldier beetles, so set your picnic up right next to some blooming butterfly weed and they’ll leave your sandwiches alone
  • Nectar for leaf cutter bees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees 
  
  

  Also:

  whorled milkweed

  Looks delicate white orchid shaped flowers, leaves turn yellow in fall

  Growth habit an opportunist, will cheerfully spread itself around your other plants but only grows to about a foot tall

  Other utility wasps dig it 

  • Heliopsis
  
  

  false sunflower

  • Larval host for rigid sunflower borer 
  • Nectar source for ground beetles and soldier beetles
  • Nectar for male leaf cutter bees, long horned bees, bumble bees
  • Nectar for clearwing moths 
  • Pollen for green sweat bees and carpenter bees
  • Plant material for female leaf cutter bees
  • Fall interest, lots of pollinator benefit, and fantastic prolifically blooming cheerful yellow 
  • Verbenas
  
  

  Verbena stricta 

  • Bestow favor on your butterflies and bees 
  • Larval host for verbena moth and fine lined sallow moth
  • Caters to specialist bee calliopsis nebraskensis 
  • Nectar for pecks skipper, silver spotted skipper, painted ladies, and monarchs 
  • Nectar for bee flies and syrphid flies
  • Verbena for drier places, just be careful where you place it. Don’t place it next to a path, let it be where it can go freely to seed and create a nice patch
  
  

  Verbena hastata

  • Host plant for verbena moth and feeds a variety of insects 
  • Caters to specialist bee calliopsis nebraskensis nebraska vervain calliopsis bee 
  • Nectar for syrphid flies, bee flies, thick headed flies 
  • Nectar for silver spotted skipper
  • Nectar for green sweat bees, carpenter bees, bumble bees, long horned bees, leaf cutter bees
  • Great plant for the rain garden or near a downspout, the verbena for wetter areas, more delicate flowers than verbena stricta, so small and precious 
  
  
  • Eryngiums
  
  

  Rattlesnake master

  • Unique plant, looks striking next to florals
  • Host plant for stem borer moth and flower feeding moth
  • Nectar for soldier beetles, red shouldered pine beetles
  • Nectar for yellow faced bees
  • Pollen for bumblebees
  • Wasp paradise
  
  

  
  

  • Salvias
  
  

  pitcher sage

  Looks pale bluish purple 

  Growth habit: tall so place accordingly, this thing is gonna flop you really got to place other tall and or shrubby stuff around it

  Host plant status hermit sphinx moth 

  Other utility drought tolerant, aromatic, lovely paired with yellow, a bee favorite

  • Mints
  
  
  1. anise hyssop ( some people argue whether to pronounce a-neice or ah-nis but I'm gonna do what I want)
  
  
  • Late season nectar source
  • nectar for leaf cutter bees, bumble bees
  • Nectar for silver spotted skipper and great spangled fritillary 
  • nectar for soldier beetles
  • Great plant that smells like licorice and has a stately structured appearance in the late summer and early fall garden
  
  

  2. Virginia mountain mint

  • Great plant for your rain garden or wetter spots on your property, perhaps where a downspout comes down or where your weird patio dumps all of its water
  • A wasp favorite, you can make a sea shanty album called wasp’s friend 
  • Nectar for long horned bees, green sweat bees, yellow faced bees, bumblebees
  • Nectar for banded hairstreak butterfly
  • Nectar for paper wasps, great golden digger wasps, great black wasps, and… beewolves. Did you know that beewolves are a thing. Google a picture of one of them carrying a bee in their arms and awaken the stuff of nightmares. contribute to scary, amazing, and wonderful biodiversity. Maybe give your sinister daughter a reason to haunt the garden. Oh wait, that’s my daughter.
  • Nectar for syrphid flies, wedge shaped beetles, and ants! Because we love our ants! 
  
  

  3. wild bergamot

  • Host plant for hermit sphinx moth
  • Plant that caters to the specialist black sweat bee 
  • Nectar for bumble bees. This is like a fine wine for your bumble bees. They love the stuff. 
  • Nectar for eastern tiger swallowtail, monarch, silver spotted skipper
  • Nectar for hummingbird clearwing moth
  • Nectar for soldier beetles
  • Wild bergamot was featured on our episode about wildflower teas so go back and listen to that one. Fantastic in bloom. Not much better out there. 
  
  

  4. spotted bee balm

  • A wasp’s paradise
  • Host plant for gray marvel moth 
  • Plant that caters to the specialist black sweat bee 
  • Nectar for great black and gold digger wasps 
  • Nectar for long horned bees and bumblebees 
  • Pollen for sweat bees
  • This plant surprised my friend who has been gardening for many years and has a gorgeous cottage style garden. If she loves it, I promise you will too.
  
  

  
  

  • Grasses 
  
  

  purple love grass

  Looks like beautiful purple smoke, or golden smoke

  Growth habit short, wispy

  Other utility great for hellstrips or other stubborn dry areas 

  prairie dropseed 

  Looks big friendly green tuft of grass 

  Growth habit bunch forming, 2-3 feet

  Other utility birds like eating the seeds, good source of fall color as cold sets in 

  Versatile grass that will grow in a variety of areas

  side oats grama 

  Looks like rolled oats on a blade of grass, teeny tiny red flowers, see if you can spot them

  Growth habit open up to 2 or so feet tall

  Host plant status larval host for skippers 

  Other utility another great grass for dry spaces 

  blue grama 

  Up to 2 foot range 

  Easy to start from seed

  Great for erosion

  little bluestem

  Looks kaleidoscope of blues and purples and reds and copper tones

  Growth habit 3 feet and sometimes a scowtch taller if its really happy

  Host plant status larval host for skippers 

  Other utility birds will eat the seeds, our official state grass

  big bluestem

  Looks amazing purplish red tips, looks like heaven paired with Indian grass

  Growth habit tall these babies get up to about 8 feet tall

  Other utility a very important part of tallgrass prairie ecosystems 

  switchgrass

  4 to 5 foot range

  Looks amazing with little bluestem and other wildflowers

  Has trendy named cultivars

  indian grass

  Looks bronze and gold colored seedheads, majestic en masse

  Growth habit tall 6 feet or more

  Other utility: food for birds 

  In conclusion

  Be open-minded, fall exists outside of exotic chrysanthemums and ornamental kale. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

  Additional content related to this episode:

  What makes a plant native?

  http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

  https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

  native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

  On the Web

  BONAP aforementioned

  BNPS aforementioned

  http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

  Books & Authors

  Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

  Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

  Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

  Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

  Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

  Native Plants of the Midwest

  Planting in a Post-Wild World

  Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

  Additional Resources

  • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
  •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
  •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
  
  

  Other Local Organizations

  • Green Bellevue
  • PATH
  • Nebraska Native Plant Society
  
  

  Listen, rate, and subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review...]]>7d01b86d-34c5-45fc-af33-93a9103bf90eWed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -050051:54falsefull229292The Dark Side of Native Plants with Host Stephanie BarelmanThe Dark Side of Native Plants: Fandoms, Gatekeeping, Anxiety, Pretense, and What You Can Do To Avoid Their Pitfalls

  Episode Introduction

  In today’s episode, The Dark Side of Native Plants: Fandoms, Gatekeeping, Anxiety, Pretense, and What You Can Do To Avoid Their Pitfalls, we discuss exactly that.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Midwest Natives Nursery

  www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

  https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

  https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  ATTENTION: Today’s episode is marked explicit for a single, well-placed F-bomb.

  Roadblocks to Our New Way of Life

  • Interesting opinions-from surprising sources! 
  • Expensive workshops
  • Paywalls
  • Feeling like you have to sign up for email lists 
  
  

  Today’s Public Service Announcement:

  Beware of the Gatekeepers 

  You DON’T need to buy a certain book, or take certain classes. There are wonderful organizations that work very hard to provide this education to you for FREE such as:

  • The Xerces Society 
  • Pollinator Partnership
  • Homegrown National Park 
  • National Wildlife Federation
  
  

  That being said, we DO recommend wonderful authors on our show such as:

  • Heather Holm
  • Douglas Tallamy 
  • Jim Locklear 
  • Rick Darke 
  • Enrique Salmon 
  • Benjamin Vogt 
  
  

  We also DO recommend local plant suppliers that provide affordable plant material such as:

  • Midwest Natives Nursery
  • Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers 
  • Prairie Legacy 
  • Prairie Plains Institute 
  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
  
  

  And remember: there’s no one way to do anything! 

  Patreon Disclaimer

  We (if the gods allow) occasionally put content on our Patreon. But if you need this info for FREE, please email plantnativenebraska@outlook.com. Just because I am trying to make a living doesn’t mean we will keep you from the good stuff. 

  Examples of Negative (and Subjective) Plant Opinions

  Just because you are enthusiastic about native plants doesn’t mean you have to accept EVERYTHING a (sort of)native plants person you admire says.

  As said by Piet Oudolf, natural landscapes garden designer, in one of his books:

  • Joe Pye weed= nothing more than ‘not unattractive’ 
  • sneezeweed = too exuberant 
  • goldenrod and sunflower= overfamiliar
  • foliage of rudbeckia is “uninspiring”
  • Rudbeckia flowers are uninteresting
  • goldenrod is a “garish yellow” 
  
  

  As said by Piet Oudolf and landscape designer and host John McGee on the Native Plant Podcast (not to be confused with our podcast:)

  • Adding prairie dropseed is enough to make a landscape “look” wild
  • The primary point of a garden is to give people pleasure
  • Nettles in a design would put someone out of work
  • Certain natives are invasive (leading to endless mental and actual debate, more on that in a minute)
  • It’s not our place to make nature in our gardens... wait, what?
  
  

  Controversial statement by the late Toby Hemenway, a 2000s garden author, professor, environmentalist:

  • Native gardens are pointless in the grand scheme of things when it comes to conservation and that your little suburban garden isn’t going to save any species… 
  
  

  Ben Vogt, Lincoln landscape designer and seeming native plant activist:

  • Gray-headed coneflower looks overgrown and overwhelms spaces, trees and shrubs should be short or narrow and very limited in the landscape
  
  

  Traditional seeming negative opinions I've heard and read:

  • Violets are an invasive weed worthy of spraying chemicals on their lawn to remove I.e. kill. 
  • Butterflies and caterpillars are pests!
  
  

  Hold on, Can Native Plants be Invasive?

  Depends who you are asking...

  Although, can something be invasive if it isn’t foreign or is it just robust? Is a plant civilization truly noxious and undesirable simply because it has evolved to be such a strong survivor in prime conditions? Maybe something like complete obliteration of its natural ecosystem where more checks and balances were in place?!?!

  Some Important Differences Between Being a Native Plant Person vs. Being a Landscape Designer: 

  Native plant expert: promotes native plants in the landscape

  Designer: promotes certain plants in the landscape

  Native plant expert: motivated by ecology

  Designer: motivated by income flow

  The Whole Point of the Native Plants Movement

  to use native plants to reintroduce nature to our landscapes, right?

  DON'T Conflate Opinion with Academic Expertise

  Before you take someone’s advice on what plants could be considered, consider considering them.

  But surprise this whole episode is my opinion! 

  Have You Been Told To Avoid Any of the Following?

  • Indian grass
  • big bluestem
  • common milkweed
  • Verbena stricta
  • goldenrod
  • sunflowers
  • New England aster
  • tall boneset
  • hyssops
  • obedient plant
  • all Silphium sp.
  
  

  Have You Heard the Following Terms:

  • opportunistic
  • aggressive
  • invasive
  • problematic
  • garden thuggery
  • and the new one I’ve heard lately: gregarious
  
  

  Have You Been Told Things Using This Language:

  • well-behaved
  • safe
  • low-maitenence
  • no-fuss
  • “not too tall…”
  
  

  In Defense of Common Milkweed…

  “Perhaps most of us fall in love with the idea of milkweeds, when we hear they host the very beloved monarch butterfly.  We do our best to plant natives and inevitably we may come across someone giving away loads of common milkweed. Later on, we may regard anyone giving away hoards of a single variety of plant as a red flag. We may start to talk to our garden people about plants that are “too aggressive.” We may come to view plants like common milkweed as not worthy of our gardens and banish them along with native sunflowers, roses, wild mint, and other spreading plants into some dark recess of the native plants mindset. But, and hear me out on this, have you gone up to a common milkweed in bloom and stuck your nose right up in the flowers? Have you? Because by God, it smells like a fever dream. It’s a marvelously nutritious plant for humans and wildlife. It looks unique. It’s always buzzing with activity. It’s a fucking symbol of the prairie and we can’t banish it, guys. Give common milkweed a chance. Find somewhere to put it and for the love of all things garden worthy, stop and smell it once in a while.”

  Keep It Simple

  Plant what you, pollinators, and your kids love. Do your...]]>The Dark Side of Native Plants: Fandoms, Gatekeeping, Anxiety, Pretense, and What You Can Do To Avoid Their Pitfalls

  Episode Introduction

  In today’s episode, The Dark Side of Native Plants: Fandoms, Gatekeeping, Anxiety, Pretense, and What You Can Do To Avoid Their Pitfalls, we discuss exactly that.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Midwest Natives Nursery

  www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

  https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

  https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  ATTENTION: Today’s episode is marked explicit for a single, well-placed F-bomb.

  Roadblocks to Our New Way of Life

  • Interesting opinions-from surprising sources! 
  • Expensive workshops
  • Paywalls
  • Feeling like you have to sign up for email lists 
  
  

  Today’s Public Service Announcement:

  Beware of the Gatekeepers 

  You DON’T need to buy a certain book, or take certain classes. There are wonderful organizations that work very hard to provide this education to you for FREE such as:

  • The Xerces Society 
  • Pollinator Partnership
  • Homegrown National Park 
  • National Wildlife Federation
  
  

  That being said, we DO recommend wonderful authors on our show such as:

  • Heather Holm
  • Douglas Tallamy 
  • Jim Locklear 
  • Rick Darke 
  • Enrique Salmon 
  • Benjamin Vogt 
  
  

  We also DO recommend local plant suppliers that provide affordable plant material such as:

  • Midwest Natives Nursery
  • Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers 
  • Prairie Legacy 
  • Prairie Plains Institute 
  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
  
  

  And remember: there’s no one way to do anything! 

  Patreon Disclaimer

  We (if the gods allow) occasionally put content on our Patreon. But if you need this info for FREE, please email plantnativenebraska@outlook.com. Just because I am trying to make a living doesn’t mean we will keep you from the good stuff. 

  Examples of Negative (and Subjective) Plant Opinions

  Just because you are enthusiastic about native plants doesn’t mean you have to accept EVERYTHING a (sort of)native plants person you admire says.

  As said by Piet Oudolf, natural landscapes garden designer, in one of his books:

  • Joe Pye weed= nothing more than ‘not unattractive’ 
  • sneezeweed = too exuberant 
  • goldenrod and sunflower= overfamiliar
  • foliage of rudbeckia is “uninspiring”
  • Rudbeckia flowers are uninteresting
  • goldenrod is a “garish yellow” 
  
  

  As said by Piet Oudolf and landscape designer and host John McGee on the Native Plant Podcast (not to be confused with our podcast:)

  • Adding prairie dropseed is enough to make a landscape “look” wild
  • The primary point of a garden is to give people pleasure
  • Nettles in a design would put someone out of work
  • Certain natives are invasive (leading to endless mental and actual debate, more on that in a minute)
  • It’s not our place to make nature in our gardens... wait, what?
  
  

  Controversial statement by the late Toby Hemenway, a 2000s garden author, professor, environmentalist:

  • Native gardens are pointless in the grand scheme of things when it comes to conservation and that your little suburban garden isn’t going to save any species… 
  
  

  Ben Vogt, Lincoln landscape designer and seeming native plant activist:

  • Gray-headed coneflower looks overgrown and overwhelms spaces, trees and shrubs should be short or narrow and very limited in the landscape
  
  

  Traditional seeming negative opinions I've heard and read:

  • Violets are an invasive weed worthy of spraying chemicals on their lawn to remove I.e. kill. 
  • Butterflies and caterpillars are pests!
  
  

  Hold on, Can Native Plants be Invasive?

  Depends who you are asking...

  Although, can something be invasive if it isn’t foreign or is it just robust? Is a plant civilization truly noxious and undesirable simply because it has evolved to be such a strong survivor in prime conditions? Maybe something like complete obliteration of its natural ecosystem where more checks and balances were in place?!?!

  Some Important Differences Between Being a Native Plant Person vs. Being a Landscape Designer: 

  Native plant expert: promotes native plants in the landscape

  Designer: promotes certain plants in the landscape

  Native plant expert: motivated by ecology

  Designer: motivated by income flow

  The Whole Point of the Native Plants Movement

  to use native plants to reintroduce nature to our landscapes, right?

  DON'T Conflate Opinion with Academic Expertise

  Before you take someone’s advice on what plants could be considered, consider considering them.

  But surprise this whole episode is my opinion! 

  Have You Been Told To Avoid Any of the Following?

  • Indian grass
  • big bluestem
  • common milkweed
  • Verbena stricta
  • goldenrod
  • sunflowers
  • New England aster
  • tall boneset
  • hyssops
  • obedient plant
  • all Silphium sp.
  
  

  Have You Heard the Following Terms:

  • opportunistic
  • aggressive
  • invasive
  • problematic
  • garden thuggery
  • and the new one I’ve heard lately: gregarious
  
  

  Have You Been Told Things Using This Language:

  • well-behaved
  • safe
  • low-maitenence
  • no-fuss
  • “not too tall…”
  
  

  In Defense of Common Milkweed…

  “Perhaps most of us fall in love with the idea of milkweeds, when we hear they host the very beloved monarch butterfly.  We do our best to plant natives and inevitably we may come across someone giving away loads of common milkweed. Later on, we may regard anyone giving away hoards of a single variety of plant as a red flag. We may start to talk to our garden people about plants that are “too aggressive.” We may come to view plants like common milkweed as not worthy of our gardens and banish them along with native sunflowers, roses, wild mint, and other spreading plants into some dark recess of the native plants mindset. But, and hear me out on this, have you gone up to a common milkweed in bloom and stuck your nose right up in the flowers? Have you? Because by God, it smells like a fever dream. It’s a marvelously nutritious plant for humans and wildlife. It looks unique. It’s always buzzing with activity. It’s a fucking symbol of the prairie and we can’t banish it, guys. Give common milkweed a chance. Find somewhere to put it and for the love of all things garden worthy, stop and smell it once in a while.”

  Keep It Simple

  Plant what you, pollinators, and your kids love. Do your best to know what plants better support ecology and don’t let other people’s opinions be the gatekeeper for your gardens. Remember that the literature is mostly written by opinionated landscape designers and try to distinguish between fact and commentary. 

  Don’t stay away from all goldenrods and sunflowers just because you are told to. For the best plants ecology wise, refer to ecoregion guides like these:

  https://pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/PrairieParklandrx12FINAL.pdf

  https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-027_01_NPPBI%E2%80%94NorthernPlains_web.pdf

  https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants

  https://homegrownnationalpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/HNP-ECO-REG-9.2-TREES-SHRUBS-LIST.110323.pdf

  Instead of Avoiding Plants, We Can Learn How to Manage Them!

  Too tall? Plant it at the back of the border or cut it back in June. Spread too much? Plant it in a container in the ground. 

  "For Wild Spaces Only"

  If it’s only good for wild spaces, what will we do when wild spaces no longer exist?

  Even if the developer/business owner/ new homeowner/ landlord is progressive, do you think sunflowers and goldenrod will be allowed to exist, if the most progressive among us are placing it dead center on a planting hit-list? 

  In Closing

  Take scare posts with a grain of salt, feel free to disregard or flat out reject this entire episode, look away from the paywalls, look to the people who are passion-driven, who simply won’t shut up about how much they love plants ever.  

  The native plants movement-and in logical succession- this podcast and other native plant podcasts should resonate with one singular effort- to help native species continue on into the future and to reignite their use in landscapes. 

  Gardening Isn’t Rocket Science

  At its very essence, gardening is an appreciation for life on earth, the wonder of nature, the art of paying attention, and trying to leave something wholesome, lasting, and beneficial for generations of people and creatures to come

  Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!

  Additional Content Related to This Episode

  What Makes a Plant Native?

  http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

  https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

  native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

  Local Plant Suppliers

  Midwest Natives Nursery

  Great Plains Nursery

  Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

  Prairie Legacy Nursery

  Mulhall's

  Online Plant Suppliers

  Prairie Moon Nursery

  Prairie Nursery

  Stock Seed

  On the Web

  BONAP aforementioned

  Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

  Books & Authors

  Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

  Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

  Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

  Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

  Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

  Native Plants of the Midwest

  Planting in a Post-Wild World

  Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

  Additional Resources

  • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
  •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
  •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
  
  

  Other Local Organizations

  • Green Bellevue
  • PATH
  • Milkweed Matters
  • Nebraska Native Plant Society
  
  

  Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  ]]>fa0b6c50-fc6d-446b-b74f-85539fae518eFri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -050033:35truefull228282Rain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener with Steve RodieRain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener

  Episode Introduction

  In today’s episode, Rain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener, we chat with Steve Rodie about just how much water comes off your roof in a single rain, what the heck bioswales are, and some tried and true native plants to select for your rain garden projects.

  Host Stephanie Barelman

  Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

  Guest Steve Rodie

  Steve Rodie retired in 2020 from 26 years of teaching, research, and extension at the University of Nebraska. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at UNO. During his academic career, he focused his teaching and research on landscape plants, landscape and environmental appreciation and sustainability, sustainable landscape design, and green infrastructure stormwater management using rain gardens, bioretention gardens, and other best management practices. 

  Steve is also a registered landscape architect and worked on environmental assessments and visual resources analyses for almost 10 years in Colorado and California. In 2012, he was elected as a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects.

  Episode Sponsors

  Today's episode is sponsored by:

  Midwest Natives Nursery

  www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

  https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

  https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery

  Lauritzen Gardens

  laurtizengardens.org

  Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

  Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

  Find us on Facebook

  Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

  Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

  Support My Work via Patreon

  The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

  Episode Content

  TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

  625 GALLONS OF WATER

  That's how much an 1000 square foot roof sheds with the average rain.

  In a moderate rainstorm, imagine how much water a 2500 square foot roof sheds! Food for thought.

  Why Filtering Stormwater Runoff is Important

  Fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus,) car lot oils, heavy metals pollute rivers and streams when the polluted water just rushes straight into the storm drains.

  So when we can help control the volume and the quality of the water that runs off, we can help keep our environment clean!

  How Can Homeowners Find Out if They Have Rain Garden Potential?

  Look around. When it rains, where is the water going and coming from? Downspouts are an obvious source of runoff, but maybe you have water rushing off of a slanted driveway, patio, or other pavement.

  A rain garden would be placed close to one of these sources but at least 10 feet away from your house and not under an existing tree.

  DO A DRAINAGE TEST!

  Find a spot where a rain garden seems appropriate and test the soil in the center of the area.

  Dig a hole a foot down and a foot wide, fill it to the top with water. Wait two hours (for it to settle) and fill it back up to the top. Stick an old ruler in the side and measure how much inches of water goes down (infiltrates) each hour.

  This seems like a slog but the lowest part of your rain garden is going to be anywhere from 6-12 inches deep depending on how fast the soil can absorb the water.

  If you want to skip the technical stuff start with the center of your rain garden at 3 inches deep and see if it drains in two hours.

  Video on this test here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEN0NtMsvsg

  You can also find the section in this file: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/2013/pdf/view/ec1262-2013.pdf

  Retained Water Helps Cool the Air

  Maybe this is a basic thing but whatever, we touch on it.

  Bioswales- What the Heck are They?

  A swale is something that channels water, could be as basic as a ditch. But a bioswale is an area where plant species are also incorporated to further channel and disperse water.

  Bioswales can be a standalone thing or attached to a rain garden. Different situations might call for one or both to be utilized.

  Inlets, Outlets, and Berms, Oh My!

  • An inlet is simply enough where the water comes in to the rain garden.
  • Outlets are likewise "micro-pathways" where emergency water is able to flow out, especially when we get exorbitant rainfall the rain garden couldn't possibly keep up with (over an inch of rain.) Outlets should always point away from buildings and structures and in a sense go with the natural flow of the water being directed into the garden.
  • Berms are mounded ground on the perimeter of the rain garden so that water goes in and in a sense, is kept in.
  
  

  Ok, But, Seriously, How Deep Should A Rain Garden Be, How Big Should it Be?

  A rain garden with the center depression, think the bullseye in the donut hole, at a typical 6 inches deep should drain water within 12-24 hours.

  If it takes longer and you have sitting water in your rain garden, you risk damage to plants, not to mention, making ripe conditions for mosquitoes.

  If you want to know the methodology of determining your depth and rain garden size, consult these publications here. Choose between the web version OR interactive PDF :

  https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/rain-garden-design-site-and-selection-guide

  GET YOUR SOIL TESTED!

  https://midwestlabs.com/

  Traditional Garden Design Touchstones

  Consider:

  • Plant Selection- Steve encourages short plants (under 3-4 feet) for gardens under 100 sq ft.
  • Plant Placement by Height (taller in the back or middle, shorter in the front or sides, etc. etc.)
  • Repetition (good for aesthetic cohesion)
  • Mixing Different Plants (mixing different colors, textures, and bloom times)
  • Size and Shape of Bed- Curvilinear or Rectilinear, which ideally is matched to existing landscaping
  • Curb Appeal and Cues to Care- thank you, Joan Nassauer
  • Multi-Seasonal Interest (again, the different bloom times)
  • Habitat Value
  
  

  Plants Sorted by Sun Conditions

  Sun/Partial Sun 

  • goldenrods- showy and stiff goldenrod are good options
  • purple coneflower 
  • little bluestem (higher levels)
  • blue grama (higher levels)
  • dense blazing star
  • wild bergamot 
  • Virginia mountain mint 
  • common yarrow
  • blue flag iris - regional native 
  • 'Gateway' Joe pye weed- happy in the middle
  • Helenium autumnale
  • great blue Lobelia-likes it wet (disclaimer: will be short-lived)
  • swamp milkweed 
  • butterfly weed (rim of rain garden, highest ground)
  • side oats grama (higher/upper levels)
  • Bicknell’s sedge
  • Sprengel’s sedge 
  • brown fox sedge
  • gray sedge
  
  

  Shade / Partial Shade 

  **Reminder: Don't put a rain garden under an existing tree, the shade should be coming from a nearby structure, but again keep the rain garden at least 10 feet from a building

  • Lobelia- cardinal flower-happy...]]>Rain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener

    Episode Introduction

    In today’s episode, Rain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener, we chat with Steve Rodie about just how much water comes off your roof in a single rain, what the heck bioswales are, and some tried and true native plants to select for your rain garden projects.

    Host Stephanie Barelman

    Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

    Guest Steve Rodie

    Steve Rodie retired in 2020 from 26 years of teaching, research, and extension at the University of Nebraska. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at UNO. During his academic career, he focused his teaching and research on landscape plants, landscape and environmental appreciation and sustainability, sustainable landscape design, and green infrastructure stormwater management using rain gardens, bioretention gardens, and other best management practices. 

    Steve is also a registered landscape architect and worked on environmental assessments and visual resources analyses for almost 10 years in Colorado and California. In 2012, he was elected as a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects.

    Episode Sponsors

    Today's episode is sponsored by:

    Midwest Natives Nursery

    www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

    https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery

    Lauritzen Gardens

    laurtizengardens.org

    Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

    Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

    Find us on Facebook

    Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

    Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

    Support My Work via Patreon

    The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

    Episode Content

    TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

    625 GALLONS OF WATER

    That's how much an 1000 square foot roof sheds with the average rain.

    In a moderate rainstorm, imagine how much water a 2500 square foot roof sheds! Food for thought.

    Why Filtering Stormwater Runoff is Important

    Fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus,) car lot oils, heavy metals pollute rivers and streams when the polluted water just rushes straight into the storm drains.

    So when we can help control the volume and the quality of the water that runs off, we can help keep our environment clean!

    How Can Homeowners Find Out if They Have Rain Garden Potential?

    Look around. When it rains, where is the water going and coming from? Downspouts are an obvious source of runoff, but maybe you have water rushing off of a slanted driveway, patio, or other pavement.

    A rain garden would be placed close to one of these sources but at least 10 feet away from your house and not under an existing tree.

    DO A DRAINAGE TEST!

    Find a spot where a rain garden seems appropriate and test the soil in the center of the area.

    Dig a hole a foot down and a foot wide, fill it to the top with water. Wait two hours (for it to settle) and fill it back up to the top. Stick an old ruler in the side and measure how much inches of water goes down (infiltrates) each hour.

    This seems like a slog but the lowest part of your rain garden is going to be anywhere from 6-12 inches deep depending on how fast the soil can absorb the water.

    If you want to skip the technical stuff start with the center of your rain garden at 3 inches deep and see if it drains in two hours.

    Video on this test here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEN0NtMsvsg

    You can also find the section in this file: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/2013/pdf/view/ec1262-2013.pdf

    Retained Water Helps Cool the Air

    Maybe this is a basic thing but whatever, we touch on it.

    Bioswales- What the Heck are They?

    A swale is something that channels water, could be as basic as a ditch. But a bioswale is an area where plant species are also incorporated to further channel and disperse water.

    Bioswales can be a standalone thing or attached to a rain garden. Different situations might call for one or both to be utilized.

    Inlets, Outlets, and Berms, Oh My!

    • An inlet is simply enough where the water comes in to the rain garden.
    • Outlets are likewise "micro-pathways" where emergency water is able to flow out, especially when we get exorbitant rainfall the rain garden couldn't possibly keep up with (over an inch of rain.) Outlets should always point away from buildings and structures and in a sense go with the natural flow of the water being directed into the garden.
    • Berms are mounded ground on the perimeter of the rain garden so that water goes in and in a sense, is kept in.
    
    

    Ok, But, Seriously, How Deep Should A Rain Garden Be, How Big Should it Be?

    A rain garden with the center depression, think the bullseye in the donut hole, at a typical 6 inches deep should drain water within 12-24 hours.

    If it takes longer and you have sitting water in your rain garden, you risk damage to plants, not to mention, making ripe conditions for mosquitoes.

    If you want to know the methodology of determining your depth and rain garden size, consult these publications here. Choose between the web version OR interactive PDF :

    https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/rain-garden-design-site-and-selection-guide

    GET YOUR SOIL TESTED!

    https://midwestlabs.com/

    Traditional Garden Design Touchstones

    Consider:

    • Plant Selection- Steve encourages short plants (under 3-4 feet) for gardens under 100 sq ft.
    • Plant Placement by Height (taller in the back or middle, shorter in the front or sides, etc. etc.)
    • Repetition (good for aesthetic cohesion)
    • Mixing Different Plants (mixing different colors, textures, and bloom times)
    • Size and Shape of Bed- Curvilinear or Rectilinear, which ideally is matched to existing landscaping
    • Curb Appeal and Cues to Care- thank you, Joan Nassauer
    • Multi-Seasonal Interest (again, the different bloom times)
    • Habitat Value
    
    

    Plants Sorted by Sun Conditions

    Sun/Partial Sun 

    • goldenrods- showy and stiff goldenrod are good options
    • purple coneflower 
    • little bluestem (higher levels)
    • blue grama (higher levels)
    • dense blazing star
    • wild bergamot 
    • Virginia mountain mint 
    • common yarrow
    • blue flag iris - regional native 
    • 'Gateway' Joe pye weed- happy in the middle
    • Helenium autumnale
    • great blue Lobelia-likes it wet (disclaimer: will be short-lived)
    • swamp milkweed 
    • butterfly weed (rim of rain garden, highest ground)
    • side oats grama (higher/upper levels)
    • Bicknell’s sedge
    • Sprengel’s sedge 
    • brown fox sedge
    • gray sedge
    
    

    Shade / Partial Shade 

    **Reminder: Don't put a rain garden under an existing tree, the shade should be coming from a nearby structure, but again keep the rain garden at least 10 feet from a building

    • Lobelia- cardinal flower-happy in the middle (short-lived)
    • Solomon’s seal
    • wild ginger
    • lady fern
    • sweet Joe pye- happy in the middle ('Baby Joe' dwarf cultivar good option)
    • wild geranium
    • columbine 
    • plains oval sedge (good at the center)
    • rosy sedge (good at the center)
    
    

    Shrubs!

    • Elderberry
    • Willow
    • Buttonbush- straight native or small and compact 'Sugar Shack' cultivar
    • Viburnum- 'Blue Muffin' is a good cultivar
    • Dogwood
    • Aronias- 'lowscape' and 'Iroquois beauty' are good options
    
    

    NEWANIP

    To support ecology, choose Native and adapted Ecological and Well Adapted Non Invasive Plants

    In Closing

    Remember, trees also help manage water. Don't forget to plant trees on your property.

    Deep-rooted natives provide ecosystem services for FREE! Continue to reduce soil compaction by reducing lawns and using native plants!

    Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!

    Additional Content Related to This Episode

    What Makes a Plant Native?

    http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

    https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

    native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

    Local Plant Suppliers

    Midwest Natives Nursery

    Great Plains Nursery

    Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

    Prairie Legacy Nursery

    Mulhall's

    Online Plant Suppliers

    Prairie Moon Nursery

    Prairie Nursery

    Stock Seed

    On the Web

    BONAP aforementioned

    Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

    Books & Authors

    Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

    Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

    Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

    Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

    Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

    Native Plants of the Midwest

    Planting in a Post-Wild World

    Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

    Additional Resources

    • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
    •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
    •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
    
    

    Other Local Organizations

    • Green Bellevue
    • PATH
    • Milkweed Matters
    • Nebraska Native Plant Society
    
    

    Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

    Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

    Find us on Facebook

    Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

    Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

    Support My Work via Patreon

    The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

    ]]>1ad87a48-88f8-48b5-bd6b-3078d4165cebThu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -050001:31:34falsefull227272Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites with Guest Heather ByersNebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites

    Episode Introduction

    In today’s episode, Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites, we chat with Heather Byers, owner of Great Plains Nursery, about keystone species, the best time of year to plant trees, and beautiful and native options for woody plants humans, pollinators, and yes, even squirrels can enjoy.

    Host Stephanie Barelman

    Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

    Guest Heather Byers

    Heather Byers is a native tree enthusiast and, along with her husband Brian, owner of Great Plains Nursery near Weston, NE. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Horticulture Production and shortly after started the business with a passion for growing and planting native trees and shrubs and sharing the importance of native plants for the ecosystem. 

    Episode Sponsors

    Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

    laurtizengardens.org

    Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

    Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

    Find us on Facebook

    Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

    Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

    Support My Work via Patreon

    The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

    Episode Content

    TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

    Top Trees and Shrubs at Great Plains Nursery

    Most of the plants we discuss can be found online at https://greatplainsnursery.com/

    Although there are differences between Eastern and Western Nebraska, Heather stresses planting trees and shrubs with high ecological value.

    Her recommendations for Eastern NE:

    Oaks, baby!

    Did you know that oaks support 500 species of caterpillars. And consequentially, oaks support a variety of birds such as bluejays (beautiful jerks) and species of warblers. Many different kinds of oaks to choose from such as:

    • Chinquapin or Dwarf Chinquapin Oak (great for smaller spaces)
    • Chestnut Oak
    • Hills Oak
    • Red Oak
    • Burr Oak
    
    

    Some recommendations for Western NE:

    • Burr Oak
    • Hackberry
    • American Elm
    • American Linden- great bee forage plant
    
    

    Recommendations also for Southeastern NE:

    • Hickories
    • Honey Locust
    
    

    Looking to Build Bird Habitat?

    Heather reminds us to not only provide plants with fresh nuts and berries for birds, but also focus on trees and shrubs that act as larval hosts.

    96% of songbirds rear their young on caterpillars: big, fat juicy caterpillars full of protein. So help mama bird and also encourage a nice diversity of birds to your garden for your own viewing pleasure.

    Some plants to focus on:

    • Aronias
    • Serviceberries
    • Prunus family of plants including: Sand Cherry, American Plum, and Black Cherry (a great pollinator forage plant, bird forage plant, and larval host plant)
    • Ribes (pronounced rye-bees) family of plants including native currants and gooseberry
    • American hazelnut- but give it 5 years for strong nut production and plant multiple for any nut production at all
    • Salix family of plants- if you have room plant Sand Willow, Peachleaf Willow, or Black Willow... if you don't have room plant Prairie Willow (only 3 feet tall, great filler plant, and can tolerate dryness)
    
    

    Fast Growing Trees for the Impatient Gardener

    • American Elm 'Princeton'
    • Cottonwood- even a male option is available if you can't abide the fluff
    • 'Prairie Gold' Aspen- can be used for screening
    • American Linden
    • Black Cherry
    • Tulip Tree- great pollinator forage plant
    
    

    Windbreak Trees- Think Past Non-Native Evergreens

    For the furthest boundary away from the house on the north-side you can plant:

    • Eastern Red Cedar (though this will spread and maintenance can be problematic)
    • Swamp White Oak
    • Red Oak
    • Shingle Oak
    
    

    The next layer could consist of:

    • Colorado Blue Spruce or Black Hills Spruce- nice pyramidal form (both only regionally native)
    
    

    The innermost layer of this windbreak could be:

    • Aronia
    • American hazelnut
    
    

    Check out this book, “Woody Plants for the Central and Northern Prairies,” illustrated by my friend, Nancy Scott, here.

    Underrated Tree That Should be Planted More

    Kentucky Coffee Tree https://greatplainsnursery.com/product/kentucky-coffeetree-2/

    • Ancient badass tree that has evolved a new way of surviving
    • Literally around since the mastadons
    • Only plant in its genus-truly one of a kind and worldwide distribution
    • Great pollinator forage- inconspicuous flowers (have fun looking for them)
    • Charlie Brown stick tree that will eventually reward you with a gorgeous form if you believe in it (and sweet talk it occasionally)
    
    

    Keystone Species

    If you want to hear more about keystone species, go back and listening to our Soft Landings episode with guest Heather Holm:

    https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/softerlandings

    Plant families to consider:

    • Oaks. If you haven't yet discovered the importance of oaks, a great fall or winter read The Nature of Oaks by Doug Tallamy here. Also check your local library and local booksellers.
    • Salix family of plants
    • Prunus family of plants
    • Coralberry, Snowberry, Wolfberry: Symphocarpus family of plants (some of these are more regionally native in range)
    
    

    Shade Garden- Don't Fear!

    Still trees and shrubs you can plant for shadier areas. Try:

    • Hackberry
    • Paw Paw
    • Serviceberries- especially Regent AKA the Prairie Blueberry
    • American Hazelnut
    • Dogwood- Gray or Roughleaf
    
    

    A lot of these plants are used to growing under dense tree canopy in their natural habitats.

    Got Squirrels?

    Do you get a queer sense of joy out of seeing them prance through the garden and hoarding more nuts than they can possibly ever find? Plant these and stop buying store bought corn cobs:

    • Oaks
    • American Hazelnut
    • Ohio Buckeye
    • Black Walnut- careful of this one though, there are only certain plants you can plant nearby
    • Pecan
    • Hickory
    
    

    If You're Scared of Deer

    For the love of Goldenrod, just cage your trees.

    Bucks will rub their antlers on young tree branches in fall. You can cage your trees for the first few years with wire fencing, t-posts. Make a 5-ft diameter ring around the tree with 5-6 foot fencing wire.

    Privacy Screens!

    Goodbye, arborvitae! Hello native options!

    • 'Taylor' Juniper
    • 'Prairie Gold' Aspen
    • Dwarf Chinquapin Oak
    • Black Chokeberry
    • Viburnum- native options include nannyberry viburnum and regionally native options...]]>Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites, we chat with Heather Byers, owner of Great Plains Nursery, about keystone species, the best time of year to plant trees, and beautiful and native options for woody plants humans, pollinators, and yes, even squirrels can enjoy.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Heather Byers

      Heather Byers is a native tree enthusiast and, along with her husband Brian, owner of Great Plains Nursery near Weston, NE. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Horticulture Production and shortly after started the business with a passion for growing and planting native trees and shrubs and sharing the importance of native plants for the ecosystem. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      TRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.

      Top Trees and Shrubs at Great Plains Nursery

      Most of the plants we discuss can be found online at https://greatplainsnursery.com/

      Although there are differences between Eastern and Western Nebraska, Heather stresses planting trees and shrubs with high ecological value.

      Her recommendations for Eastern NE:

      Oaks, baby!

      Did you know that oaks support 500 species of caterpillars. And consequentially, oaks support a variety of birds such as bluejays (beautiful jerks) and species of warblers. Many different kinds of oaks to choose from such as:

      • Chinquapin or Dwarf Chinquapin Oak (great for smaller spaces)
      • Chestnut Oak
      • Hills Oak
      • Red Oak
      • Burr Oak
      
      

      Some recommendations for Western NE:

      • Burr Oak
      • Hackberry
      • American Elm
      • American Linden- great bee forage plant
      
      

      Recommendations also for Southeastern NE:

      • Hickories
      • Honey Locust
      
      

      Looking to Build Bird Habitat?

      Heather reminds us to not only provide plants with fresh nuts and berries for birds, but also focus on trees and shrubs that act as larval hosts.

      96% of songbirds rear their young on caterpillars: big, fat juicy caterpillars full of protein. So help mama bird and also encourage a nice diversity of birds to your garden for your own viewing pleasure.

      Some plants to focus on:

      • Aronias
      • Serviceberries
      • Prunus family of plants including: Sand Cherry, American Plum, and Black Cherry (a great pollinator forage plant, bird forage plant, and larval host plant)
      • Ribes (pronounced rye-bees) family of plants including native currants and gooseberry
      • American hazelnut- but give it 5 years for strong nut production and plant multiple for any nut production at all
      • Salix family of plants- if you have room plant Sand Willow, Peachleaf Willow, or Black Willow... if you don't have room plant Prairie Willow (only 3 feet tall, great filler plant, and can tolerate dryness)
      
      

      Fast Growing Trees for the Impatient Gardener

      • American Elm 'Princeton'
      • Cottonwood- even a male option is available if you can't abide the fluff
      • 'Prairie Gold' Aspen- can be used for screening
      • American Linden
      • Black Cherry
      • Tulip Tree- great pollinator forage plant
      
      

      Windbreak Trees- Think Past Non-Native Evergreens

      For the furthest boundary away from the house on the north-side you can plant:

      • Eastern Red Cedar (though this will spread and maintenance can be problematic)
      • Swamp White Oak
      • Red Oak
      • Shingle Oak
      
      

      The next layer could consist of:

      • Colorado Blue Spruce or Black Hills Spruce- nice pyramidal form (both only regionally native)
      
      

      The innermost layer of this windbreak could be:

      • Aronia
      • American hazelnut
      
      

      Check out this book, “Woody Plants for the Central and Northern Prairies,” illustrated by my friend, Nancy Scott, here.

      Underrated Tree That Should be Planted More

      Kentucky Coffee Tree https://greatplainsnursery.com/product/kentucky-coffeetree-2/

      • Ancient badass tree that has evolved a new way of surviving
      • Literally around since the mastadons
      • Only plant in its genus-truly one of a kind and worldwide distribution
      • Great pollinator forage- inconspicuous flowers (have fun looking for them)
      • Charlie Brown stick tree that will eventually reward you with a gorgeous form if you believe in it (and sweet talk it occasionally)
      
      

      Keystone Species

      If you want to hear more about keystone species, go back and listening to our Soft Landings episode with guest Heather Holm:

      https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/softerlandings

      Plant families to consider:

      • Oaks. If you haven't yet discovered the importance of oaks, a great fall or winter read The Nature of Oaks by Doug Tallamy here. Also check your local library and local booksellers.
      • Salix family of plants
      • Prunus family of plants
      • Coralberry, Snowberry, Wolfberry: Symphocarpus family of plants (some of these are more regionally native in range)
      
      

      Shade Garden- Don't Fear!

      Still trees and shrubs you can plant for shadier areas. Try:

      • Hackberry
      • Paw Paw
      • Serviceberries- especially Regent AKA the Prairie Blueberry
      • American Hazelnut
      • Dogwood- Gray or Roughleaf
      
      

      A lot of these plants are used to growing under dense tree canopy in their natural habitats.

      Got Squirrels?

      Do you get a queer sense of joy out of seeing them prance through the garden and hoarding more nuts than they can possibly ever find? Plant these and stop buying store bought corn cobs:

      • Oaks
      • American Hazelnut
      • Ohio Buckeye
      • Black Walnut- careful of this one though, there are only certain plants you can plant nearby
      • Pecan
      • Hickory
      
      

      If You're Scared of Deer

      For the love of Goldenrod, just cage your trees.

      Bucks will rub their antlers on young tree branches in fall. You can cage your trees for the first few years with wire fencing, t-posts. Make a 5-ft diameter ring around the tree with 5-6 foot fencing wire.

      Privacy Screens!

      Goodbye, arborvitae! Hello native options!

      • 'Taylor' Juniper
      • 'Prairie Gold' Aspen
      • Dwarf Chinquapin Oak
      • Black Chokeberry
      • Viburnum- native options include nannyberry viburnum and regionally native options of arrowwood viburnum or cranberry bush viburnum
      
      

      Closing Tips from Heather

      • Mulch is a great tool to conserve moisture- just don't make mulch volcanoes.
      • Be mindful
      • Involve your kids
      • Water deeply
      • Plant trees in fall!
      
      

      Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!

      Additional Content Related to This Episode

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>45f2f5a8-2d28-43a7-8e45-23f6dad60d2cThu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -050056:02falsefull226262Alternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass with Host Stephanie BarelmanAlternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Alternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass, we go over different options for replacing lawn, why you'll be happy to make the jump, and tried and true ways to replace and maintain your new landscape.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Rehash our first episode if you are new to the podcast or our wonderful edible plants series here!

      • What are Native Plants Anyway?
      • Native Edible Plants Series with Bob Henrickson:
      
      

      Part One

      Part Two

      Part Three

      Part Four

      Books to Read

      • Iwigara
      • Native American Ethnobotany
      
      

      Why Lawns Aren't Sustainable or Healthy

      • Pesticide and herbicide runoff pollutes groundwater, rivers, and streams
      • Kids are exposed to pesticide and herbicide residues while playing 
      • Birds, pollinators, and other wildlife are exposed to residues while foraging and traveling which can result in disease, illness, and death . I mentioned there is plenty of research out there. Here are some of many, many articles discussing:
      
      

      Protect Pollinators at Home: Alternatives to HerbicidesThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://xerces.org › blog › protect-pollinators-at-home-alt...

      The Risks of Pesticides to PollinatorsThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://www.xerces.org › pesticides › risks-pesticides-poll...

      PesticidesPollinator.orghttps://www.pollinator.org › Learning Center

      • Nearby plants can come in contact with spray drift which can cause stunted growth, disease, and death
      • Having a monoculture lawn limits local wildlife from the diverse diet it needs to survive and thrive
      • Lawn takes up space we could grow our own food and medicine! 
      
      

      Benefits of Ditching Your Lawn

      • You are providing habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife!
      • You are providing bee forage if you own a beehive, and ensuring better crop pollination if you grow a vegetable garden!
      • You will encourage the storing of some carbon below ground by using these prairie plants with incredible root systems!
      • You can participate in citizen science by submitting sightings and other observations to projects hosted by the Xerxes Society, Pollinator Pathway, and more!
      • You will inevitably use less water to maintain the meadow/ alt lawn as opposed to traditional lawn and landscaping!
      • You will reduce if not eliminate mowing which is great for the environment and also great for your spouse!
      • You will have very little weeding time after your meadow garden/ alt lawn reaches its maturity!
      • You will save money! 
      • You can forage your lawn for wild edibles.
      • You can harvest plant material for natural dyes. 
      • You can grow medicine.
      • You can use other parts of prairie plants in homemade crafts: basket weaving, bee houses, pressed flowers, etc.
      
      

      Alt Lawn Options

      • Native Grass and Sedge Lawns: Superior to exotic grass because they typically have better root systems and are often host plants for skippers, moths, and butterflies
      
      

      Blue Grama Lawn: Blue Grama is a warm-season grass. It is drought tolerant and thrives when other exotic grasses struggle.  Height of 1-2 feet. Can seed or plug.

      Buffalo Grass Lawn: Buffalo grass is also warm-season grass that gets about 6 inches tall. It is very drought tolerant and long lived.

      Sideoats Grama Lawn: More of a meadow lawn since it does reach 2-3 feet in height

      Mixed Grass Lawn: You can find different mixes from different suppliers such as (50%) blue grama and (50%) buffalograss, (30%) blue grama, (30%) side oats grama, and (40%) buffalograss... There's also other formulations like habiturf which is (62%) buffalograss,(30%)blue grama, and curly mesquite (8%)

      Pennsylvania sedge lawn: Pennsylvania sedge forms dense mats of medium green and grows 6 to 8 inches.

      Plains oval sedge lawn

      Long-beaked sedge: Great shade lawn option

      • Bee Lawns
      
      

      Let dandelions go and add in native common violet, self heal, purple poppy mallow, wild strawberry, and

      • Micro-prairie/Meadowscapes
      
      

      Shortgrass Prairie

      Eclectic Meadow

      Tallgrass Prairie

      • Groundcover lawns
      
      

      Mix and match large swaths of ground covers: Plant en masse in groups of 5, 7, 9

      Plants to use: BUTTERFLYWEED, PRAIRIE VIOLET, HEATH ASTER, WILD PETUNIA, WILD STRAWBERRY, PRAIRIE CLOVER, POPPY MALLOW, CAREX BREVIOR, GROUND PLUM (I'm not yelling, but lazily copying and pasting from my powerpoint...)

      More plants to use: Pearly everlasting, pussytoes, artemisia ludoviciana, 'snow flurry' heath aster cultivar, prairie dropseed, western yarrow

      • Yardens: Layered mix of NATIVE shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials
      
      

      Some shrubs to use along with your choice of grasses and perennial plants: LEADPLANT, SILKY DOGWOOD, CHOKECHERRY, CORALBERRY, AMORPHA FRUCTICOSA, PRAIRIE ROSE, ELDERBERRY, PLAINS WILD INDIGO, BAPTISIA AUSTRALIS

      • Low-gro native shade gardens
      
      

      Use plants like wild ginger, dutchman’s breeches, heartleaf aster, mayapple, woodland phlox and others

      • Hardscaping
      
      

      Don’t be shy to add a crushed limestone, pea gravel, flagstone, or salvaged stone patio area to cut down on lawn space and create a relaxing place to view garden areas

      You may use landscape fabric stapled underneath

      These patios can last ten years or more and can be installed DIY

      • Vegetable garden and other garden "rooms"
      
      

      An entire "room" could be made where lawn resides for a vegetable garden. Vegetable gardens are often made in a square or rectangle design, fenced to protect crops from deer or wildlife, and given paths of mulch, brick, or other material to access plant beds

      A place of tranquility to hoard vintage finds and favorite plants

      How to Ditch Your Lawn

      • Check ordinances and HOA policies
      
      

      If you are in an HOA, get clear rules detailed about what is allowed for gardenscape/lawns

      City of Omaha “all weeds, grass, and worthless vegetation cannot reach a height of 12 inches or more….” meaning occasionally mow, weed monthly, and use cues that this is a maintained garden.

      Note that...]]>Alternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Alternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass, we go over different options for replacing lawn, why you'll be happy to make the jump, and tried and true ways to replace and maintain your new landscape.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Rehash our first episode if you are new to the podcast or our wonderful edible plants series here!

      • What are Native Plants Anyway?
      • Native Edible Plants Series with Bob Henrickson:
      
      

      Part One

      Part Two

      Part Three

      Part Four

      Books to Read

      • Iwigara
      • Native American Ethnobotany
      
      

      Why Lawns Aren't Sustainable or Healthy

      • Pesticide and herbicide runoff pollutes groundwater, rivers, and streams
      • Kids are exposed to pesticide and herbicide residues while playing 
      • Birds, pollinators, and other wildlife are exposed to residues while foraging and traveling which can result in disease, illness, and death . I mentioned there is plenty of research out there. Here are some of many, many articles discussing:
      
      

      Protect Pollinators at Home: Alternatives to HerbicidesThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://xerces.org › blog › protect-pollinators-at-home-alt...

      The Risks of Pesticides to PollinatorsThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://www.xerces.org › pesticides › risks-pesticides-poll...

      PesticidesPollinator.orghttps://www.pollinator.org › Learning Center

      • Nearby plants can come in contact with spray drift which can cause stunted growth, disease, and death
      • Having a monoculture lawn limits local wildlife from the diverse diet it needs to survive and thrive
      • Lawn takes up space we could grow our own food and medicine! 
      
      

      Benefits of Ditching Your Lawn

      • You are providing habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife!
      • You are providing bee forage if you own a beehive, and ensuring better crop pollination if you grow a vegetable garden!
      • You will encourage the storing of some carbon below ground by using these prairie plants with incredible root systems!
      • You can participate in citizen science by submitting sightings and other observations to projects hosted by the Xerxes Society, Pollinator Pathway, and more!
      • You will inevitably use less water to maintain the meadow/ alt lawn as opposed to traditional lawn and landscaping!
      • You will reduce if not eliminate mowing which is great for the environment and also great for your spouse!
      • You will have very little weeding time after your meadow garden/ alt lawn reaches its maturity!
      • You will save money! 
      • You can forage your lawn for wild edibles.
      • You can harvest plant material for natural dyes. 
      • You can grow medicine.
      • You can use other parts of prairie plants in homemade crafts: basket weaving, bee houses, pressed flowers, etc.
      
      

      Alt Lawn Options

      • Native Grass and Sedge Lawns: Superior to exotic grass because they typically have better root systems and are often host plants for skippers, moths, and butterflies
      
      

      Blue Grama Lawn: Blue Grama is a warm-season grass. It is drought tolerant and thrives when other exotic grasses struggle.  Height of 1-2 feet. Can seed or plug.

      Buffalo Grass Lawn: Buffalo grass is also warm-season grass that gets about 6 inches tall. It is very drought tolerant and long lived.

      Sideoats Grama Lawn: More of a meadow lawn since it does reach 2-3 feet in height

      Mixed Grass Lawn: You can find different mixes from different suppliers such as (50%) blue grama and (50%) buffalograss, (30%) blue grama, (30%) side oats grama, and (40%) buffalograss... There's also other formulations like habiturf which is (62%) buffalograss,(30%)blue grama, and curly mesquite (8%)

      Pennsylvania sedge lawn: Pennsylvania sedge forms dense mats of medium green and grows 6 to 8 inches.

      Plains oval sedge lawn

      Long-beaked sedge: Great shade lawn option

      • Bee Lawns
      
      

      Let dandelions go and add in native common violet, self heal, purple poppy mallow, wild strawberry, and

      • Micro-prairie/Meadowscapes
      
      

      Shortgrass Prairie

      Eclectic Meadow

      Tallgrass Prairie

      • Groundcover lawns
      
      

      Mix and match large swaths of ground covers: Plant en masse in groups of 5, 7, 9

      Plants to use: BUTTERFLYWEED, PRAIRIE VIOLET, HEATH ASTER, WILD PETUNIA, WILD STRAWBERRY, PRAIRIE CLOVER, POPPY MALLOW, CAREX BREVIOR, GROUND PLUM (I'm not yelling, but lazily copying and pasting from my powerpoint...)

      More plants to use: Pearly everlasting, pussytoes, artemisia ludoviciana, 'snow flurry' heath aster cultivar, prairie dropseed, western yarrow

      • Yardens: Layered mix of NATIVE shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials
      
      

      Some shrubs to use along with your choice of grasses and perennial plants: LEADPLANT, SILKY DOGWOOD, CHOKECHERRY, CORALBERRY, AMORPHA FRUCTICOSA, PRAIRIE ROSE, ELDERBERRY, PLAINS WILD INDIGO, BAPTISIA AUSTRALIS

      • Low-gro native shade gardens
      
      

      Use plants like wild ginger, dutchman’s breeches, heartleaf aster, mayapple, woodland phlox and others

      • Hardscaping
      
      

      Don’t be shy to add a crushed limestone, pea gravel, flagstone, or salvaged stone patio area to cut down on lawn space and create a relaxing place to view garden areas

      You may use landscape fabric stapled underneath

      These patios can last ten years or more and can be installed DIY

      • Vegetable garden and other garden "rooms"
      
      

      An entire "room" could be made where lawn resides for a vegetable garden. Vegetable gardens are often made in a square or rectangle design, fenced to protect crops from deer or wildlife, and given paths of mulch, brick, or other material to access plant beds

      A place of tranquility to hoard vintage finds and favorite plants

      How to Ditch Your Lawn

      • Check ordinances and HOA policies
      
      

      If you are in an HOA, get clear rules detailed about what is allowed for gardenscape/lawns

      City of Omaha “all weeds, grass, and worthless vegetation cannot reach a height of 12 inches or more….” meaning occasionally mow, weed monthly, and use cues that this is a maintained garden.

      Note that complaints with the city can be appealed but HOA rules are more iron-clad

      Do not plant things that decrease visibility in your hellstrip. Opt for very low-growing 1-2 foot plants

      • When in doubt, check your property lines!
      
      

      You can hire a local property assessor for around $400. Or you can go googling your county's GIS and find your parcel by parcel number or last name. Google "[your county] GIS" to find your local data.

      Pottawattamie county here

      Douglas county here

      Sarpy county here

      Lancaster county here

      • Also!
      
      

      If you are in a rental property, ask permission to make any changes

      Call the hotline (811) to mark utilities for free before you dig

      • Figure out your plant layout
      
      

      Google free "Prairie Moon garden designs, " "pollinator garden design," or consult a local garden designer.

      • Plan your site prep:
      
      

      Mechanical removal OPTION 1: rent a sod cutter or use a spade

      Non-selective herbicide OPTION 2

      Smother/ solarize OPTION 3 but also good followup to OPTION 1

      • Install new plants
      
      

      Start with plugs: Grasses and sedges only

      Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots versus an initial seeding

      Space plants on half foot centers

      Plant in May or September

      Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.

      You may overseed once or twice a year in April or August

      You may mow 2-3 times a year with mower at highest setting (June, July, August)

      Start with plugs: Meadows/ BEE LAWNS

      Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots versus an initial seeding

      Space plants on half foot centers

      Plant in May or September

      Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.

      You may overseed once or twice a year in April or August

      You may mow 2-3 times a year with mower at highest setting (June, July, August)

      Start with plugs: Yardens

      Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots

      Utilize moderate growth rate shrubs like shrubby st. john’s wort, dwarf blue baptisia, and lead plant

      Space plants on 1 foot centers

      Plant in May or September

      Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.

      You may do an initial mulching or use weed suppression mat

      You may cut back perennials to 1-2 inches in height each year in May

      Future Commitments of Time and Care

      Plan to maintain by weeding at least once a month per garden area

      Weed once a week for new beds, once a month for established beds.

      Keep watch for invasives moving in such as poison hemlock, Canada thistle, and creeping Charlie, among others!

      Additional Resources

      • Plant Suppliers
      
      

      PRAIRIE MOON


      PRAIRIE LEGACY

      MIDWEST NATIVES NURSERY

      BUMBLING BEE NATIVE WILDFLOWERS

      PRAIRIE LEGACY

      GREAT PLAINS NURSERY

      MULHALL’S

      • Books and Podcasts (Ours of course!)
      
      

      SOME BOOKS

      PRAIRIE UP- by BENJAMIN VOGT

      PLANTING IN A POST WILD WORLD- by THOMAS RAINIER AND CLAUDIA WEST

      ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GRASSES FOR LIVABLE LANDSCAPES- by RICK DARKE

      PODCASTS

      PLANT NATIVE NEBRASKA PODCAST( shameless plug)

      • Groups
      
      

      BELLEVUE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

      GREEN BELLEVUE

      CITY SPROUTS- VEGETABLE GARDENING!

      Hey, You Sweet Little Plant Nerds

      Thanks for listening!!!!!

      Additional Content Related to This Episode

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>90744773-6f63-42af-84d3-13f8851222c0Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -050001:19:39falsefull225252Brief *Hiatus* Announcement!We will be back on for new episodes bi-weekly from August 14th-December 4th! Until then...

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      • The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
      
      

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>We will be back on for new episodes bi-weekly from August 14th-December 4th! Until then...

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      • The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
      
      

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>e21e2214-b5f9-419d-8df7-eceed68a8006Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -050001:03falsefull224242Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska with Jim LocklearNative Plant Horticulture in Nebraska

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska, we chat with director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens, Jim Locklear, about the decision-making behind choosing plants for botanic gardens, the crossroads between aesthetic spaces and conservation, and why the preservation of native plant communities is still important.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Jim Locklear

      Jim Locklear has been the director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens since 2010. He has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Central Missouri and a master's in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University. He formerly served as director of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Kansas and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. He recently published a new book titled, In the Country of the Kaw, about the midwestern watershed of the Kaw River and its history.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska

      • Native plant horticulture is characterized by using native plants in the region...but native gardens don't have to be prairie. There are many types of garden styles that can utilize native plants and there are many different ecosystems in Nebraska including wetlands, oak hickory forest, shortgrass tall grass and mixed grass prairies, and others that correspondingly have varied native plants native to those environments.
      • Using non-natives is not forbidden, but native plants are emphasized for their habitat value.
      • Some of the challenges being faced by the industry and horticulturalists are obtaining seed/stock, propagation issues, and appealing to traditional consumers. Mulhall's (https://mulhalls.com/) is helping to change the game on native plants in the mainstream and take it out of a strictly niche market.
      
      

      Studying Rare Ecosystems, Different Habitats, and Wildlife Activity at Lauritzen

      • Oak trees support lots of caterpillars, and therefore, warblers, who love to eat their little juicy bodies. Morbid right?
      • Butterfly deserts form around exotic chrysanthemum, but for some reason they seem to like yellow chrysanthemum, so if your mother-in-law insists on using them, buy her some yellow ones.
      • Jim has studied sandsage prairie and one of his takeaways is that far-flung plant communities can be a hidden reserve of diversity and that diversity can affect overall diversity in the Great Plains region. Even the hyper-local can have a greater affect on the bigger picture, which is comforting to us with our little home gardens.
      
      

      Stewards of the Environment

      • Lauritzen Gardens (www. lauritzen.org) has received an accreditation from Botanic Garden Conservation International for its conservation practices, which only 30ish botanic gardens in the WORLD have been awarded.
      • On site, this may look like butterfly, bird, and bee and moth surveys; looking for diversity hotspots and deserts; and making changes that better support wildlife over its 100 acres(like switching out purple non-native mums for yellow ones...who knew?)
      • Off site, this may be in-the-field conservation; conducting/ supporting studies of rare plants; publishing academic papers in scientific, peer-reviewed journals; seed- banking (as is the case with federally-endangered blowout penstemon;) and conducting plant surveys in the wild.
      
      

      Plants We Could See More Of...

      • milkweeds
      • asters
      • sunflowers
      • showy goldenrod
      • liatris
      • monardas
      • mountain mint
      
      

      Hope is a Four-Letter Word

      • Native plant production has come a long way. For instance, Mulhall's transition to be more native plant-forward means a lot to the industry.
      • People seem to be more interested as long as we don't scare them away... I'm looking at you, Barb-ar-ah.
      
      

      Jewels of the Prairie

      • Claude Barr was a Black Hills cattle rancher and a historic supplier of native plants. He opened a mail-order nursery in the 30's. Read a little about Barr here. Jewels of the Prairie is Barr's life's work of observations. Romantic garden writing didn't just happen in Europe.
      • Jim recently revised Jewels of the Prairie to update outdated scientific names. You can find a copy here.
      • Fendler's Aster and Fremont's clematis and many other plants are in the trade due to Barr's writings
      
      

      YOU Can Get Involved

      • Look into the Nature Conservancy
      • Local plant society groups for example the Bellevue Native Plant Society and Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Jim's New Book: In the Country of the Kaw

      • Jim's book describes plant communities both woodland and prairie types and their wildflowers
      • It also talks about restoration ecology and plant-insect interactions.
      • You can find Jim's book, In the Country of the Kaw, here.
      
      

      Thoughts of Importance

      • Fight to preserve natural ecosystems. Work to prevent destruction of more natural areas.
      • Connect with places like the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
      • Add native plants to your garden.
      • Support native plant suppliers.
      • Give Stephanie all your money. (Just kidding.)
      • Be artful but also, be mindful. Respect plants, respect ecosystems, and respect people.
      
      

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      Thanks for listening!

      Additional Content Related to This Episode

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the...]]>Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska, we chat with director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens, Jim Locklear, about the decision-making behind choosing plants for botanic gardens, the crossroads between aesthetic spaces and conservation, and why the preservation of native plant communities is still important.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Jim Locklear

      Jim Locklear has been the director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens since 2010. He has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Central Missouri and a master's in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University. He formerly served as director of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Kansas and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. He recently published a new book titled, In the Country of the Kaw, about the midwestern watershed of the Kaw River and its history.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska

      • Native plant horticulture is characterized by using native plants in the region...but native gardens don't have to be prairie. There are many types of garden styles that can utilize native plants and there are many different ecosystems in Nebraska including wetlands, oak hickory forest, shortgrass tall grass and mixed grass prairies, and others that correspondingly have varied native plants native to those environments.
      • Using non-natives is not forbidden, but native plants are emphasized for their habitat value.
      • Some of the challenges being faced by the industry and horticulturalists are obtaining seed/stock, propagation issues, and appealing to traditional consumers. Mulhall's (https://mulhalls.com/) is helping to change the game on native plants in the mainstream and take it out of a strictly niche market.
      
      

      Studying Rare Ecosystems, Different Habitats, and Wildlife Activity at Lauritzen

      • Oak trees support lots of caterpillars, and therefore, warblers, who love to eat their little juicy bodies. Morbid right?
      • Butterfly deserts form around exotic chrysanthemum, but for some reason they seem to like yellow chrysanthemum, so if your mother-in-law insists on using them, buy her some yellow ones.
      • Jim has studied sandsage prairie and one of his takeaways is that far-flung plant communities can be a hidden reserve of diversity and that diversity can affect overall diversity in the Great Plains region. Even the hyper-local can have a greater affect on the bigger picture, which is comforting to us with our little home gardens.
      
      

      Stewards of the Environment

      • Lauritzen Gardens (www. lauritzen.org) has received an accreditation from Botanic Garden Conservation International for its conservation practices, which only 30ish botanic gardens in the WORLD have been awarded.
      • On site, this may look like butterfly, bird, and bee and moth surveys; looking for diversity hotspots and deserts; and making changes that better support wildlife over its 100 acres(like switching out purple non-native mums for yellow ones...who knew?)
      • Off site, this may be in-the-field conservation; conducting/ supporting studies of rare plants; publishing academic papers in scientific, peer-reviewed journals; seed- banking (as is the case with federally-endangered blowout penstemon;) and conducting plant surveys in the wild.
      
      

      Plants We Could See More Of...

      • milkweeds
      • asters
      • sunflowers
      • showy goldenrod
      • liatris
      • monardas
      • mountain mint
      
      

      Hope is a Four-Letter Word

      • Native plant production has come a long way. For instance, Mulhall's transition to be more native plant-forward means a lot to the industry.
      • People seem to be more interested as long as we don't scare them away... I'm looking at you, Barb-ar-ah.
      
      

      Jewels of the Prairie

      • Claude Barr was a Black Hills cattle rancher and a historic supplier of native plants. He opened a mail-order nursery in the 30's. Read a little about Barr here. Jewels of the Prairie is Barr's life's work of observations. Romantic garden writing didn't just happen in Europe.
      • Jim recently revised Jewels of the Prairie to update outdated scientific names. You can find a copy here.
      • Fendler's Aster and Fremont's clematis and many other plants are in the trade due to Barr's writings
      
      

      YOU Can Get Involved

      • Look into the Nature Conservancy
      • Local plant society groups for example the Bellevue Native Plant Society and Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Jim's New Book: In the Country of the Kaw

      • Jim's book describes plant communities both woodland and prairie types and their wildflowers
      • It also talks about restoration ecology and plant-insect interactions.
      • You can find Jim's book, In the Country of the Kaw, here.
      
      

      Thoughts of Importance

      • Fight to preserve natural ecosystems. Work to prevent destruction of more natural areas.
      • Connect with places like the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
      • Add native plants to your garden.
      • Support native plant suppliers.
      • Give Stephanie all your money. (Just kidding.)
      • Be artful but also, be mindful. Respect plants, respect ecosystems, and respect people.
      
      

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      Thanks for listening!

      Additional Content Related to This Episode

      What Makes a Plant Native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>1ec80e35-dbb8-47fc-a83d-76a85084a722Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -050001:05:25falsefull223232The Native Patio Garden with Host Stephanie BarelmanThe Native Patio Garden

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Native Patio Garden, we go over why Native American plants are important for non-home dwellers to consider, how we can rework container garden philosophy using native plants, and which native plants can hack it in smaller square footage than the average garden. Dive deeper into today's episode by visiting our Patreon @patreon.com/PlantNativeNebraska .

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      You do not need a yard to contribute to conservation!

      More people are trying native plants in container gardens. Although a lot of prairie plants have taproots or extensive root systems, there are some shallower-rooting options to try. If you are trying out things or have experience at growing native plants in container gardens, please email us your stories and successes at plantnativenebraska@outlook.com.

      DO: Get Large Pots

      The larger the better. Get crafty and recycle old whiskey barrels, 5 gallon buckets, or just pick some up at your local plant rescue, thrift store, or off Facebook marketplace. Big box stores and nurseries are okay too.

      Make good soil.

      Potting mix tossed with a bit of compost will do just fine but look up some DIY potting soil compositions online. Some mix in sand or vermiculite. Many good ways to make a nice container mix.

      Prepare to take care of your plants

      Water thine plants and to thine own self be true.

      HERE'S SOME LISTS!

      Thanks for listening!

      Native Patio Pots For Shade!

      Thrillers

      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE Elymus virginicus
      • CALICO ASTER Symphyotrichum laterifolius (regional)
      • HEARTLEAF ASTER Symphyotrichum cordifolius
      • OSTRICH FERN
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE Carex pensylvanica
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • ZIG ZAG GOLDENROD Solidago flexicaulis
      • BLUE STEMMED GOLDENROD Solidago cassia
      
      

      Spillers

      • WILD GINGER
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots For Partial Shade!

      Thrillers

      • SMOOTH BEARDTONGUE Penstemon digitalis (light shade)
      • GOLDEN ALEXANDER Zizia aurea (light shade)
      • HEARTLEAF ALEXANDER Zizia aptera (light shade)
      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE Elymus virginicus
      • BLUESTAR Amsonia tabernaemontana (light shade) (regional)
      • OHIO SPIDERWORT Tradescantia ohiensis (light shade)
      • CALICO ASTER Symphyotrichum laterifolius (regional)
      • HEARTLEAF ASTER Symphyotrichum cordifolius
      • OSTRICH FERN
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (light shade) (regional)
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE Carex pensylvanica
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • NODDING ONION Allium cernuum (light shade)
      • PUSSYTOES Antennaria sp. (light shade)
      • ZIG ZAG GOLDENROD Solidago flexicaulis
      • BLUE STEMMED GOLDENROD Solidago caesia
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots for Spring!

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • SMOOTH BEARDTONGUE Penstemon digitalis
      • GOLDEN ALEXANDER
      • HEARTLEAF ALEXANDER (regional)
      • BLUESTAR Amsonia (regional)
      • SPIDERWORT Tradescantia sp.
      
      

      Fillers

      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • PEARLY EVERLASTING
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots for Summer

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • ANNUAL PARTRIDGE PEA Chamaecrista fasciculata
      • ANISE HYSSOP Agastache foeniculum (pinch back in June)
      • HOARY VERVAIN Verbena stricta (pinch back in June)
      • FALSE SUNFLOWER Heliopsis helianthoides (pinch back in June)
      • BLAZINGSTAR
      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • JUNE GRASS
      • BLUE GRAMA
      • PRAIRIE DROPSEED
      • ANNUAL INDIAN BLANKET
      • PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (regional)
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • PURPLE LOVEGRASS
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • BLUE VERVAIN Verbena hastata
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      • WILD PETUNIA
      • WILD GERANIUM
      
      

      Got Bigger Pots? Try These!

      • Wild Bergamot (Pinch back in June)
      • Purple Coneflower (Regional)
      • Swamp Milkweed
      
      

      Native Patio Pots For Fall!

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE
      • ASTERS Symphyotrichum sp. (calico, sky blue, smooth blue, aromatic...)
      
      

      Filler

      • HEATH ASTER 'Snow flurry'
      • SIDE OATS GRAMA
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (regional)
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • PURPLE LOVEGRASS
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • BLUE VERVAIN Verbena hastata
      • PUSSYTOES Antennaria sp.
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      
      

      Bigger Pots? Try these! (& pinch back in June)

      • BIG BLUESTEM
      • JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
      • SAWTOOTH SUNFLOWER
      • SWAMP MILKWEED
      • TALL BONESET
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara...]]>The Native Patio Garden

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Native Patio Garden, we go over why Native American plants are important for non-home dwellers to consider, how we can rework container garden philosophy using native plants, and which native plants can hack it in smaller square footage than the average garden. Dive deeper into today's episode by visiting our Patreon @patreon.com/PlantNativeNebraska .

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      You do not need a yard to contribute to conservation!

      More people are trying native plants in container gardens. Although a lot of prairie plants have taproots or extensive root systems, there are some shallower-rooting options to try. If you are trying out things or have experience at growing native plants in container gardens, please email us your stories and successes at plantnativenebraska@outlook.com.

      DO: Get Large Pots

      The larger the better. Get crafty and recycle old whiskey barrels, 5 gallon buckets, or just pick some up at your local plant rescue, thrift store, or off Facebook marketplace. Big box stores and nurseries are okay too.

      Make good soil.

      Potting mix tossed with a bit of compost will do just fine but look up some DIY potting soil compositions online. Some mix in sand or vermiculite. Many good ways to make a nice container mix.

      Prepare to take care of your plants

      Water thine plants and to thine own self be true.

      HERE'S SOME LISTS!

      Thanks for listening!

      Native Patio Pots For Shade!

      Thrillers

      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE Elymus virginicus
      • CALICO ASTER Symphyotrichum laterifolius (regional)
      • HEARTLEAF ASTER Symphyotrichum cordifolius
      • OSTRICH FERN
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE Carex pensylvanica
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • ZIG ZAG GOLDENROD Solidago flexicaulis
      • BLUE STEMMED GOLDENROD Solidago cassia
      
      

      Spillers

      • WILD GINGER
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots For Partial Shade!

      Thrillers

      • SMOOTH BEARDTONGUE Penstemon digitalis (light shade)
      • GOLDEN ALEXANDER Zizia aurea (light shade)
      • HEARTLEAF ALEXANDER Zizia aptera (light shade)
      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE Elymus virginicus
      • BLUESTAR Amsonia tabernaemontana (light shade) (regional)
      • OHIO SPIDERWORT Tradescantia ohiensis (light shade)
      • CALICO ASTER Symphyotrichum laterifolius (regional)
      • HEARTLEAF ASTER Symphyotrichum cordifolius
      • OSTRICH FERN
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (light shade) (regional)
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE Carex pensylvanica
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • NODDING ONION Allium cernuum (light shade)
      • PUSSYTOES Antennaria sp. (light shade)
      • ZIG ZAG GOLDENROD Solidago flexicaulis
      • BLUE STEMMED GOLDENROD Solidago caesia
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots for Spring!

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • SMOOTH BEARDTONGUE Penstemon digitalis
      • GOLDEN ALEXANDER
      • HEARTLEAF ALEXANDER (regional)
      • BLUESTAR Amsonia (regional)
      • SPIDERWORT Tradescantia sp.
      
      

      Fillers

      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • COMMON VIOLET Viola sororia
      • PEARLY EVERLASTING
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      
      

      Native Patio Pots for Summer

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • ANNUAL PARTRIDGE PEA Chamaecrista fasciculata
      • ANISE HYSSOP Agastache foeniculum (pinch back in June)
      • HOARY VERVAIN Verbena stricta (pinch back in June)
      • FALSE SUNFLOWER Heliopsis helianthoides (pinch back in June)
      • BLAZINGSTAR
      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE
      
      

      Fillers

      • BLACK EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia hirta or fulgida (regional)
      • JUNE GRASS
      • BLUE GRAMA
      • PRAIRIE DROPSEED
      • ANNUAL INDIAN BLANKET
      • PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (regional)
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • PURPLE LOVEGRASS
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • BLUE VERVAIN Verbena hastata
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      • WILD STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana
      • WILD PETUNIA
      • WILD GERANIUM
      
      

      Got Bigger Pots? Try These!

      • Wild Bergamot (Pinch back in June)
      • Purple Coneflower (Regional)
      • Swamp Milkweed
      
      

      Native Patio Pots For Fall!

      3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP

      Thrillers

      • VIRGINIA WILD RYE
      • ASTERS Symphyotrichum sp. (calico, sky blue, smooth blue, aromatic...)
      
      

      Filler

      • HEATH ASTER 'Snow flurry'
      • SIDE OATS GRAMA
      • HAIRY BEARDTONGUE Penstemon hirsutus (regional)
      • MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
      • PURPLE LOVEGRASS
      • WESTERN YARROW Achillea millefolium
      • BLUE VERVAIN Verbena hastata
      • PUSSYTOES Antennaria sp.
      
      

      Spillers

      • PURPLE POPPY MALLOW
      • VIRGIN’S BOWER CLEMATIS Clematis virginiana
      
      

      Bigger Pots? Try these! (& pinch back in June)

      • BIG BLUESTEM
      • JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
      • SAWTOOTH SUNFLOWER
      • SWAMP MILKWEED
      • TALL BONESET
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      Great Plains Nursery

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Mulhall's

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Stock Seed

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      Orgs and Tools

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>47dd8c31-0270-4e9a-b384-fad7c415c570Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -050056:32falsefull222222Lessons From the Prairie with Chris HelzerLessons from the Prairie

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Lessons From the Prairie, we chat with Chris Helzer about invasive species, what makes a landscape ecologically resilient, and why we don't have to recreate the past for the present to be meaningful.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Chris Helzer

      Chris Helzer is Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and supervises the Conservancy’s preserve stewardship program. He also helps develop and test prairie management and restoration strategies. Chris is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. He is the author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Today's episode is also sponsored by Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens:

      https://www.luckytoadgardens.com/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      I gleaned talking points from Chris's blog, The Prairie Ecologist, which you can and should read here!

      • Insects and invertebrates are very important to ecosystem function: help soil fertility, insect biomass, ant engineers, species balance (predators and prey,) seed dispersal, bird food, pollination.
      • A prairie is only as good as its ecological resilience: Habitat size/ connectivity to other habitats and biodiversity is important. A landscape needs to be malleable and able to deal with changes because nature isn't static. A large diverse community is best able to adapt to changes.
      • Management can be an important tool in re-establishing native landscapes: Land management has been around since human beginnings and interestingly enough, some "natural" ecosystems have been shaped by human involvement. But, in our modern times, we can find a healthy balance between over-involvement and stewardship. We can guide nature in a good direction, manage competition, and encourage collaboration. Basically, we should aim for being responsible "parents" that want our kids to thrive...
      • Life on earth is on a trajectory of change: The prairie of today is not the prairie of yesterday and won't be the prairie of tomorrow. Our generation is dealing with increased C02, nitrogen deposition, extreme weather, decomposition of natural habitats, rising temps. We can't get trapped in our own sense of nostalgia and avoid reality. We can grow with nature, we can be a good part of the change, we can even facilitate the change and help facilitate other species' resilience. "Conserve the stage, not the actors." Chris is making the case that humans can help conserve the stage.
      • Invasive species hurt native populations, and yet, some non- native plants can benefit diversity: Goatsbeard (salsify) and dandelions are good examples Chris provides. I use zinnia, verbena bonariensis, and Mexican sunflowers in my garden for Monarch forage since it's in their range. We do need to think about what's additive vs. what is suppressive. Smooth brome is an example of an exotic plant that is suppressive, it's something that's moved in and really creates a monoculture.
      • Plantings don't have to mirror what came before historically to be effective: We can't create something brand new that is a perfect replica of something in the past. My native plant cottage garden is not the habitat that was here 200 years ago. But, it is habitat. We can ask ourselves what we want to do with a landscape and we can look at our goals and we can think of the myriad of ways we can provide support. If we are planting close to 70% native plants or more, we are doing a great job at supporting wildlife species.
      • Nature is crazy: Sometimes nature seems like a slapdash science experiment that magically works! Plant and animal species have developed some pretty bizarre ways of getting the job done. Read up on the truly freaky " series of unfortunate events" that allows milkweed pollination to happen on Chris's blog here: https://prairieecologist.com/2021/01/26/milkweed-pollination-a-series-of-fortunate-events/. I once heard a story of the woman who owned a local hamburger restaurant slapping the burger patties under her armpits to flatten them. I don't know if it's true, but it would be another example of a bizarre process that works.
      • Experimentation is an opportunity to learn: How can we possibly learn what works if we don't learn what doesn't? Don't be too hard on yourself. Let yourself make some mistakes. In my opinion, the mistakes are the wins because without little failures, we don't develop the tools it takes to be successful.
      • In the face of increasing challenges and opportunities for overwhelm, we can commit ourselves to staying optimistic, resilient, and momentous: We can impact good change. We don't need to resolve all of society's or the planets ills, but we can work to preserve, maintain, and facilitate landscapes into the future. We can leave our immediate surroundings better than we found them!
      
      

      Chris is always a good chat! Thanks for participating!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! Lessons from the Prairie

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, Lessons From the Prairie, we chat with Chris Helzer about invasive species, what makes a landscape ecologically resilient, and why we don't have to recreate the past for the present to be meaningful.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Chris Helzer

      Chris Helzer is Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and supervises the Conservancy’s preserve stewardship program. He also helps develop and test prairie management and restoration strategies. Chris is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. He is the author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Today's episode is also sponsored by Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens:

      https://www.luckytoadgardens.com/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      I gleaned talking points from Chris's blog, The Prairie Ecologist, which you can and should read here!

      • Insects and invertebrates are very important to ecosystem function: help soil fertility, insect biomass, ant engineers, species balance (predators and prey,) seed dispersal, bird food, pollination.
      • A prairie is only as good as its ecological resilience: Habitat size/ connectivity to other habitats and biodiversity is important. A landscape needs to be malleable and able to deal with changes because nature isn't static. A large diverse community is best able to adapt to changes.
      • Management can be an important tool in re-establishing native landscapes: Land management has been around since human beginnings and interestingly enough, some "natural" ecosystems have been shaped by human involvement. But, in our modern times, we can find a healthy balance between over-involvement and stewardship. We can guide nature in a good direction, manage competition, and encourage collaboration. Basically, we should aim for being responsible "parents" that want our kids to thrive...
      • Life on earth is on a trajectory of change: The prairie of today is not the prairie of yesterday and won't be the prairie of tomorrow. Our generation is dealing with increased C02, nitrogen deposition, extreme weather, decomposition of natural habitats, rising temps. We can't get trapped in our own sense of nostalgia and avoid reality. We can grow with nature, we can be a good part of the change, we can even facilitate the change and help facilitate other species' resilience. "Conserve the stage, not the actors." Chris is making the case that humans can help conserve the stage.
      • Invasive species hurt native populations, and yet, some non- native plants can benefit diversity: Goatsbeard (salsify) and dandelions are good examples Chris provides. I use zinnia, verbena bonariensis, and Mexican sunflowers in my garden for Monarch forage since it's in their range. We do need to think about what's additive vs. what is suppressive. Smooth brome is an example of an exotic plant that is suppressive, it's something that's moved in and really creates a monoculture.
      • Plantings don't have to mirror what came before historically to be effective: We can't create something brand new that is a perfect replica of something in the past. My native plant cottage garden is not the habitat that was here 200 years ago. But, it is habitat. We can ask ourselves what we want to do with a landscape and we can look at our goals and we can think of the myriad of ways we can provide support. If we are planting close to 70% native plants or more, we are doing a great job at supporting wildlife species.
      • Nature is crazy: Sometimes nature seems like a slapdash science experiment that magically works! Plant and animal species have developed some pretty bizarre ways of getting the job done. Read up on the truly freaky " series of unfortunate events" that allows milkweed pollination to happen on Chris's blog here: https://prairieecologist.com/2021/01/26/milkweed-pollination-a-series-of-fortunate-events/. I once heard a story of the woman who owned a local hamburger restaurant slapping the burger patties under her armpits to flatten them. I don't know if it's true, but it would be another example of a bizarre process that works.
      • Experimentation is an opportunity to learn: How can we possibly learn what works if we don't learn what doesn't? Don't be too hard on yourself. Let yourself make some mistakes. In my opinion, the mistakes are the wins because without little failures, we don't develop the tools it takes to be successful.
      • In the face of increasing challenges and opportunities for overwhelm, we can commit ourselves to staying optimistic, resilient, and momentous: We can impact good change. We don't need to resolve all of society's or the planets ills, but we can work to preserve, maintain, and facilitate landscapes into the future. We can leave our immediate surroundings better than we found them!
      
      

      Chris is always a good chat! Thanks for participating!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>85bb3301-5ecf-4519-8edb-02bbce01741dWed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -050001:19:01falsefull221212The Very Real Importance of Pollinators with the Xerces SocietyThe Very Real Importance of Pollinators

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Very Real Importance of Pollinators, we chat with Jennifer Hopwood and Rae Powers from the Xerces Society about the importance of pollinators in what foods make it to our plate, why European honeybees can't do all of the work, and some ways you can help pollinators at home.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Jennifer Hopwood

      Jennifer Hopwood is Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and is based in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a master's in entomology from the University of Kansas. She provides resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and restoration in a variety of landscapes. Jennifer is co-author of several books, including Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, Farming with Soil Life, 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, and a roadside revegetation manual.

      Guest Rae Powers

      Rae Powers is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Rae works with farmers, ranchers, and others to identify wildlife conservation opportunities and promote pollinator and beneficial insect habitat across landscapes through the Natural Resources Conservation Services. She has a master's in plant ecology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has worked in grassland restoration and management and native plant production. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Today's episode is also sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Pollination 101

      • Male and female structures of plants coming together! You know, very much a birds and the bees scenario here.
      • Pollination can happen in very strange ways. Even nature is creative...
      • 80-85% plants worldwide need animal-assisted pollination, mostly insects: bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and wasps.
      • Pollination is not intentional by pollinators, instead it is a byproduct of pure insect gluttony and opportunistic plants.
      
      

      Big-Ag and The Little Guys

      • Think fruits and veg, oils, spices- most need pollinators, bruh, to the tune of 18 billion dollars...
      • Even dairy cattle need insect pollination for their feed, BTW cattle for meat also need to forage. 20 to 30 percent of livestock diets are actually wildflowers and shrubs primarily pollinated by native pollinators. Some examples are legumes like lead plant, milkweeds like common and showy milkweed, snowberry, plum thickets... Imagine that to get really good waygu beef, a farmer had to listen to some conservation hippy first. The irony...
      • Potato chips= gift from pollinators. You're welcome.
      • Pollinators and insects also provide pest control, keep soil healthy.
      
      

      Honeybees

      • Shelter belts of wildflowers are being removed. Meaning less habitat for native pollinators. At the same time, population is growing and more food needs to be produced. So more honeybees are being brought in. But guess what? They can't do all the work and they can't take the place of every pollinator in North America. Honeybees are efficient but they can't do 100 percent of the work. Let's say it again, they can't do all the work.
      
      

      Ecosystem Support

      • Pollinators support endangered plant species. Example: fringed orchid and hawk moths
      • Pollinators support bird populations:
      
      

      -Especially young birds

      -Think grasshoppers, ants, crickets, beetles

      -Loggerhead shrike= 70 percent of their diet is insects

      -Burrowing owls? They're like your messy sister with a penchant for dung beetles and who therefore also hoards poop with the rest of her trash.

      Keystone insects?

      • Hear about keystone species? Well, insects are pretty much vital in the same way for ecosystem function
      
      

      Plants and Pollinator Interactions

      • Monarchs and Milkweed
      • Bees and their pollen-reared young: golden Alexander, spring beauty, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans
      
      

      Adult bugs are the pollinators, so help insects reach adulthood! Just do three simple things:

      Plant native plants.

      Embrace the untidy.

      Limit pesticides and herbicides.

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via The Very Real Importance of Pollinators

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Very Real Importance of Pollinators, we chat with Jennifer Hopwood and Rae Powers from the Xerces Society about the importance of pollinators in what foods make it to our plate, why European honeybees can't do all of the work, and some ways you can help pollinators at home.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Jennifer Hopwood

      Jennifer Hopwood is Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and is based in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a master's in entomology from the University of Kansas. She provides resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and restoration in a variety of landscapes. Jennifer is co-author of several books, including Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, Farming with Soil Life, 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, and a roadside revegetation manual.

      Guest Rae Powers

      Rae Powers is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Rae works with farmers, ranchers, and others to identify wildlife conservation opportunities and promote pollinator and beneficial insect habitat across landscapes through the Natural Resources Conservation Services. She has a master's in plant ecology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has worked in grassland restoration and management and native plant production. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Today's episode is also sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:

      laurtizengardens.org

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Pollination 101

      • Male and female structures of plants coming together! You know, very much a birds and the bees scenario here.
      • Pollination can happen in very strange ways. Even nature is creative...
      • 80-85% plants worldwide need animal-assisted pollination, mostly insects: bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and wasps.
      • Pollination is not intentional by pollinators, instead it is a byproduct of pure insect gluttony and opportunistic plants.
      
      

      Big-Ag and The Little Guys

      • Think fruits and veg, oils, spices- most need pollinators, bruh, to the tune of 18 billion dollars...
      • Even dairy cattle need insect pollination for their feed, BTW cattle for meat also need to forage. 20 to 30 percent of livestock diets are actually wildflowers and shrubs primarily pollinated by native pollinators. Some examples are legumes like lead plant, milkweeds like common and showy milkweed, snowberry, plum thickets... Imagine that to get really good waygu beef, a farmer had to listen to some conservation hippy first. The irony...
      • Potato chips= gift from pollinators. You're welcome.
      • Pollinators and insects also provide pest control, keep soil healthy.
      
      

      Honeybees

      • Shelter belts of wildflowers are being removed. Meaning less habitat for native pollinators. At the same time, population is growing and more food needs to be produced. So more honeybees are being brought in. But guess what? They can't do all the work and they can't take the place of every pollinator in North America. Honeybees are efficient but they can't do 100 percent of the work. Let's say it again, they can't do all the work.
      
      

      Ecosystem Support

      • Pollinators support endangered plant species. Example: fringed orchid and hawk moths
      • Pollinators support bird populations:
      
      

      -Especially young birds

      -Think grasshoppers, ants, crickets, beetles

      -Loggerhead shrike= 70 percent of their diet is insects

      -Burrowing owls? They're like your messy sister with a penchant for dung beetles and who therefore also hoards poop with the rest of her trash.

      Keystone insects?

      • Hear about keystone species? Well, insects are pretty much vital in the same way for ecosystem function
      
      

      Plants and Pollinator Interactions

      • Monarchs and Milkweed
      • Bees and their pollen-reared young: golden Alexander, spring beauty, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans
      
      

      Adult bugs are the pollinators, so help insects reach adulthood! Just do three simple things:

      Plant native plants.

      Embrace the untidy.

      Limit pesticides and herbicides.

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>62967a1c-a08c-4678-88a4-47ba26cbca2bSun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -050001:00:17falsefull220202The Modern Botanist with Host Stephanie BarelmanThe Modern Botanist

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Modern Botanist, we examine what modern gardening can look like within the native plants framework, different tools you can use to get “spec’d out” in your gardening abilities, and why it matters more than ever to bring back gardening as part of a healthy lifestyle. 

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Growing 

      Get nerdy and grow your own plants!

      Start with a good potting soil. This could be Pro-Mix or a Berger mix or another recommended potting soil. You can even google how to make your own potting soil and mix the components up in a wheelbarrow. It’s fun to experiment!

      Pre-moisten your soil in a tubtrug or wheelbarrow or 5 gal bucket.

      Get seed trays: one drain tray (example: 1020 seed starting tray), one cell tray(example 72 cell seed tray,) and humidity domes. Bootstrap Farmer has really good ones:

      https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/collections/plug-trays/products/extra-strength-72-cell-seedling-starter-trays

      https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/collections/1020-trays-and-flats/products/1020-trays-multi-color

      Bottom water when your soil starts to get dry so your seedlings don't get washed out.

      Pack the cell trays with soil. Knead those puppies down.

      Plant seeds at right depth (per instructions on packet.) Plant two to three seeds in the middle of each cell for best germination. You can cull or up-pot extra seedlings.

      What I’ve been doing for labels is using my Brother label maker and taking one popsicle stick, place one label at the top for each row and then affix the label with clear packaging tape to the stick. I’m hoping this will help keep my labels more waterproof... we'll see how it goes.

      Keep those plants happy. Pot up to a 3 or 4 inch pot when you see true leaves. You can also start fertilizing once you pot up. 

      Don’t forget to “harden off” your plants before planting out in the garden. Google, google, google, my friend.

      PLANTING 

      The tale of three tools: the soil knife, the auger, and the drain spade.

      When you are planting, the soil level of the potted plant should sit about a half-inch below the surface of the ground. If the plant is pot bound, tease some of the roots with your fingertips or give it a good slice horizontally and vertically.

      Don’t forget to water the plants in and to tamp down with the heel of your foot or by putting firm pressure all around the perimeter with the palms of your hands. Cover with more soil until we’ve got an upright plant well-packed in the ground. 

      Learn your plants. Plant taller plants in the middle or behind shorter ones. Line paths with very short plants- think 6-12 inches or less.

      Know and plant your ground covers.

      Strong shade groundcovers native to Nebraska: wild ginger, mayapple, and common violets.

      A good groundcover for partial sun could be Virginia waterleaf.

      For our sun gardens: pearly everlasting, common violets, prairie blue-eyed grass, wild strawberry, wild geranium, wild petunia, or nearly native early buttercup, hairy penstemon, or prairie smoke. I also like the ‘snow flurry’ cultivar of heath aster.

      You can also work in grass or sedge ground covers like Pennsylvania sedge, ivory sedge, long beaked sedge, blue grama, buffalo grass, purple love grass.  Little bluestem also makes an excellent ground cover when planted en masse. 

      LAWNING 

      Let's lawn better! (For what we can't remove today)

      SAY YES TO:

      • Setting your mower to the tallest setting and mowing once a month.
      • Adding in low growing natives like self-heal, purple poppy mallow, common violets.
      • Adding in plugs of sedges.
      • Not spraying exotic dandelions, henbit, clover, oxalis, or creeping charlie.
      • Aerating and overseeding your lawn with buffalo grass or blue grama instead of the usual turf seed
      
      

      If you have a really blotchy lawn in shady areas, you can even look into shade ground covers we mentioned before or try your hand at a moss lawn. There is a great bee lawn mix by Prairie Legacy that you can try to make a meadow lawn or in your hellstrip. 

      YAY TO LESS LAWN!

      Reduce your lawn by planting garden borders. Start small and work as your free time and budget allows!

      WEEDING and MANAGING 

      Get out and weed monthly. Know your weeds. Maybe let some go that don’t get over 6 inches or so. Just know that creeping charlie is allelopathic.

      Better Homes and Gardens common weeds article: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/pests/insects-diseases-weeds/types-of-weeds/ You can decide the ones you can live without and hand-pull them.

      Remember: perfection isn’t possible and pretty much every successful garden has its share of weeds here and there. 

      You may choose to manage your plants that self-seed. This may involve culling some seedlings, transplanting plants to a different location, or cutting specific plants back after flowering to keep them from taking over a garden space. This may include agastaches, tall boneset, coneflower, asters, pitcher sage or sweet black- eyed susan. 

      Know your truely invasive or undesirable exotic and weedy plants like callery pear, Japanese honeysuckle, Canada thistle, brome, Japanese hops, foxtail, poison hemlock. 

      OBSERVING 

      Get out there and look around, girl!

      Get to know your garden. Pretend like you're a tourist and everything is interesting!

      EXPERIMENTING

      SAY NO TO MIND TRAPS SOMETIMES TAUGHT BY GARDEN VETERANS:

      • You must water constantly all year
      • You must never ever use non-native species 
      • You must weed weekly to appease the aesthetic gods 
      • You must use foundation plants 
      • You must never use aggressive species 
      • You must not have a wild front garden 
      • You must keep lawns for negative space 
      • You must not let anything go to seed
      
      

      The joys of life come from experimenting! Get out there and do weird stuff!

      ENGAGING and HARVESTING

      We don’t lose seasonal succession with natives, what seasonal succession looks like just changes.

      We become aware of local wildlife- birds, pollinating insects, small mammals, amphibians- so much wildlife that we can observe once we start reintroducing habitat.

      Think of incorporating edible and medicinal plant parts into your daily life. Make wildflower teas! There's no time to toil and suffer like the present...

      SHOWCASING

      Signage, signage, signage.

      You can source signs from:

      • Monarch Waystation Registry program
      • Prairie Moon Nursery 
      • Nebraska Monarchs 
      • Midwest Natives Nursery
      • PATH-Pollinator Alliance of the Heartland 
      • Xerces Society 
      • and many others!
      
      

      But importantly, give your neighbors something to look at by actually planting a wild, native garden on the streetfront. Some ‘plant people’ will tell you to save wildness for the back garden. But let’s put it all out there. 

      If you're feeling especially brave, display your garden on a local garden walk.

      The two maps we...]]>The Modern Botanist

      Episode Introduction

      In today’s episode, The Modern Botanist, we examine what modern gardening can look like within the native plants framework, different tools you can use to get “spec’d out” in your gardening abilities, and why it matters more than ever to bring back gardening as part of a healthy lifestyle. 

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Growing 

      Get nerdy and grow your own plants!

      Start with a good potting soil. This could be Pro-Mix or a Berger mix or another recommended potting soil. You can even google how to make your own potting soil and mix the components up in a wheelbarrow. It’s fun to experiment!

      Pre-moisten your soil in a tubtrug or wheelbarrow or 5 gal bucket.

      Get seed trays: one drain tray (example: 1020 seed starting tray), one cell tray(example 72 cell seed tray,) and humidity domes. Bootstrap Farmer has really good ones:

      https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/collections/plug-trays/products/extra-strength-72-cell-seedling-starter-trays

      https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/collections/1020-trays-and-flats/products/1020-trays-multi-color

      Bottom water when your soil starts to get dry so your seedlings don't get washed out.

      Pack the cell trays with soil. Knead those puppies down.

      Plant seeds at right depth (per instructions on packet.) Plant two to three seeds in the middle of each cell for best germination. You can cull or up-pot extra seedlings.

      What I’ve been doing for labels is using my Brother label maker and taking one popsicle stick, place one label at the top for each row and then affix the label with clear packaging tape to the stick. I’m hoping this will help keep my labels more waterproof... we'll see how it goes.

      Keep those plants happy. Pot up to a 3 or 4 inch pot when you see true leaves. You can also start fertilizing once you pot up. 

      Don’t forget to “harden off” your plants before planting out in the garden. Google, google, google, my friend.

      PLANTING 

      The tale of three tools: the soil knife, the auger, and the drain spade.

      When you are planting, the soil level of the potted plant should sit about a half-inch below the surface of the ground. If the plant is pot bound, tease some of the roots with your fingertips or give it a good slice horizontally and vertically.

      Don’t forget to water the plants in and to tamp down with the heel of your foot or by putting firm pressure all around the perimeter with the palms of your hands. Cover with more soil until we’ve got an upright plant well-packed in the ground. 

      Learn your plants. Plant taller plants in the middle or behind shorter ones. Line paths with very short plants- think 6-12 inches or less.

      Know and plant your ground covers.

      Strong shade groundcovers native to Nebraska: wild ginger, mayapple, and common violets.

      A good groundcover for partial sun could be Virginia waterleaf.

      For our sun gardens: pearly everlasting, common violets, prairie blue-eyed grass, wild strawberry, wild geranium, wild petunia, or nearly native early buttercup, hairy penstemon, or prairie smoke. I also like the ‘snow flurry’ cultivar of heath aster.

      You can also work in grass or sedge ground covers like Pennsylvania sedge, ivory sedge, long beaked sedge, blue grama, buffalo grass, purple love grass.  Little bluestem also makes an excellent ground cover when planted en masse. 

      LAWNING 

      Let's lawn better! (For what we can't remove today)

      SAY YES TO:

      • Setting your mower to the tallest setting and mowing once a month.
      • Adding in low growing natives like self-heal, purple poppy mallow, common violets.
      • Adding in plugs of sedges.
      • Not spraying exotic dandelions, henbit, clover, oxalis, or creeping charlie.
      • Aerating and overseeding your lawn with buffalo grass or blue grama instead of the usual turf seed
      
      

      If you have a really blotchy lawn in shady areas, you can even look into shade ground covers we mentioned before or try your hand at a moss lawn. There is a great bee lawn mix by Prairie Legacy that you can try to make a meadow lawn or in your hellstrip. 

      YAY TO LESS LAWN!

      Reduce your lawn by planting garden borders. Start small and work as your free time and budget allows!

      WEEDING and MANAGING 

      Get out and weed monthly. Know your weeds. Maybe let some go that don’t get over 6 inches or so. Just know that creeping charlie is allelopathic.

      Better Homes and Gardens common weeds article: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/pests/insects-diseases-weeds/types-of-weeds/ You can decide the ones you can live without and hand-pull them.

      Remember: perfection isn’t possible and pretty much every successful garden has its share of weeds here and there. 

      You may choose to manage your plants that self-seed. This may involve culling some seedlings, transplanting plants to a different location, or cutting specific plants back after flowering to keep them from taking over a garden space. This may include agastaches, tall boneset, coneflower, asters, pitcher sage or sweet black- eyed susan. 

      Know your truely invasive or undesirable exotic and weedy plants like callery pear, Japanese honeysuckle, Canada thistle, brome, Japanese hops, foxtail, poison hemlock. 

      OBSERVING 

      Get out there and look around, girl!

      Get to know your garden. Pretend like you're a tourist and everything is interesting!

      EXPERIMENTING

      SAY NO TO MIND TRAPS SOMETIMES TAUGHT BY GARDEN VETERANS:

      • You must water constantly all year
      • You must never ever use non-native species 
      • You must weed weekly to appease the aesthetic gods 
      • You must use foundation plants 
      • You must never use aggressive species 
      • You must not have a wild front garden 
      • You must keep lawns for negative space 
      • You must not let anything go to seed
      
      

      The joys of life come from experimenting! Get out there and do weird stuff!

      ENGAGING and HARVESTING

      We don’t lose seasonal succession with natives, what seasonal succession looks like just changes.

      We become aware of local wildlife- birds, pollinating insects, small mammals, amphibians- so much wildlife that we can observe once we start reintroducing habitat.

      Think of incorporating edible and medicinal plant parts into your daily life. Make wildflower teas! There's no time to toil and suffer like the present...

      SHOWCASING

      Signage, signage, signage.

      You can source signs from:

      • Monarch Waystation Registry program
      • Prairie Moon Nursery 
      • Nebraska Monarchs 
      • Midwest Natives Nursery
      • PATH-Pollinator Alliance of the Heartland 
      • Xerces Society 
      • and many others!
      
      

      But importantly, give your neighbors something to look at by actually planting a wild, native garden on the streetfront. Some ‘plant people’ will tell you to save wildness for the back garden. But let’s put it all out there. 

      If you're feeling especially brave, display your garden on a local garden walk.

      The two maps we discussed today:

      • https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org/
      • Pollinator Alliance of the Heartland map when it becomes available!
      
      

      RESEARCHING and COMPILING

      Find out what’s native to your area and then plant what you like! 

      Tools:

      • Bonap.net
      • nwf.org/plantfinder
      
      

      Eco guide tools:

      • https://www.pollinator.org/guides
      • https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/pollinator-friendly-plant-lists
      
      

      Bellevue Native Plant Society

      • bellevuenativeplants.org
      
      

      Look at plant catalogs and gardening books for inspo, at the same time getting to know your local and online native plant suppliers:

      Online (and some local also)

      • Prairie Moon Nursery- Minnesota (plants and seed)
      • Prairie Nursery- Wisconsin (plants and seed)
      • Prairie Legacy- Nebraska (plants and seed)
      • Stock Seed- Nebraska (seed)
      • Great Plains Nursery- Nebraska (plants)
      
      

      Local

      • Midwest Natives Nursery- Lincoln, Ne (plants)
      • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Lincoln, NE(plants)
      • Golden Hills RC& D
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>21a20bc4-ec81-4c75-b022-987bdf968e23Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -050036:49falsefull219192Native Edible Plants Part 4: Nuts, Blossoms, and Even More Fruits with Bob HenricksonNative Edible Plants Part 4: Nuts, Blossoms, and Even More Fruits

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part 4, we chat with Bob Henrickson about survival foods, how to make native Shirley Temples, and which native plant has been used as a spice for centuries. If you don't like rabbit holes, this episode will be a dangerous romp through Gardenland.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. His responsibilities include assisting affiliated arboretum sites with plant collection development and to acquire, propagate and produce native and other resilient landscape plants for plant sales to our members and the public. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Wild strawberry- Fragaria virginiana

      Wild strawberry is so very pretty, and I hear from people all the time they have this in their yard. But they are mistaking false strawberry for our native one. The leaves are larger than false strawberry and the small flowers are white and not yellow.

      Makes a great edible ground cover. Plant with violets for more fun!

      Early bloomer.

      Maybe make a sedge meadow with strawberries.

      Hackberry- one of the earliest plants eaten by humans

      An understory tree, you see this everywhere at Lauritzen Gardens, Heron Haven, basically every other wooded area around here. 

      Sam Thayer-Nature's Garden: "For sheer survival value hackberry is unsurpassed..."

      Bonkers idea for hackberry: make hackberry milk and use it as coffee creamer.

      Great for songbirds and vegans!

      Prunus family plants

      American plum

      Historical: Cherokee used fruit to make fruit juice, eaten fresh, or jelly. Cheyenne treated these as a delicacy and would even sun dry these at times. Tribes consistently described as highly valued.

      Wild plum wine, cobbler. Highest carbs found in fruit. Get your plum on!

      Suckers so plant isolated in lawn or plan for thicketing

      Chokecherry

      Chokecherry is one of those plants whose common name is so close to another one you get it mixed up. So we’re talking about prunus Virginiana not chokeberry which is in the aronia family. 

      Chokecherry makes an excellent jelly. If you’re a little bit country you might have had some before. 

      Chokecherry fizz AKA Native Shirley Temple, Chokecherry wine, drinks all around!

      Another thicketing one but when planted in shade, doesn't spread as much. Early bloomer.

      Ribes family of plants 

      RYE-BEES FTW

      Black currant- Ribes americium 

      fruit dried, made into sauces, eaten fresh 

      likes part shade

      Buffalo currant- Ribes aureum or odoratum (goes by both names)

      likes growing in hot and dry conditions

      easy to grow, makes tasty pie

      Missouri gooseberry- Ribes missouriense 

      If you need a little Misourrah in your life...

      Elderberry- Sambucus canadensis

      Elderberries must be cooked before eating but makes a lovely jam, make sure to pick them when ripe can also use the elderflowers to make syrups, wines, and cordials 

      High iron content, songbird and pollinator favorite

      Rejuvenation pruning may be your friend here every 3-4 years

      Kay Young's Wild Seasons- I know, she's a popular gal with us...

      Shake flowers into bucket and steep flowers in hot simple syrup.

      Elderberry flower fritters and yes, you heard us right... Marbled Elderberry Cheesecake.

      Can even make elderberry capers from the unripe fruits, but must prepare correctly to remove the toxins

      Smooth sumac and staghorn sumac

      Berries used to make drinks with sugar: sumacade or sumac tea

      In the citrus family! Who knew?

      Sumac (zatar) has been used to make spices for centuries.

      Good source of Vitamin C.

      May be used to make a sumac vinaigrette.

      Spring Affair

      Get affordable plants in Lincoln this year at the Spring Affair!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Native Edible Plants Part 4: Nuts, Blossoms, and Even More Fruits

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part 4, we chat with Bob Henrickson about survival foods, how to make native Shirley Temples, and which native plant has been used as a spice for centuries. If you don't like rabbit holes, this episode will be a dangerous romp through Gardenland.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. His responsibilities include assisting affiliated arboretum sites with plant collection development and to acquire, propagate and produce native and other resilient landscape plants for plant sales to our members and the public. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants. 

      Episode Sponsors

      Today's episode sponsored by Midwest Natives Nursery:

      https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives

      https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery/

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Wild strawberry- Fragaria virginiana

      Wild strawberry is so very pretty, and I hear from people all the time they have this in their yard. But they are mistaking false strawberry for our native one. The leaves are larger than false strawberry and the small flowers are white and not yellow.

      Makes a great edible ground cover. Plant with violets for more fun!

      Early bloomer.

      Maybe make a sedge meadow with strawberries.

      Hackberry- one of the earliest plants eaten by humans

      An understory tree, you see this everywhere at Lauritzen Gardens, Heron Haven, basically every other wooded area around here. 

      Sam Thayer-Nature's Garden: "For sheer survival value hackberry is unsurpassed..."

      Bonkers idea for hackberry: make hackberry milk and use it as coffee creamer.

      Great for songbirds and vegans!

      Prunus family plants

      American plum

      Historical: Cherokee used fruit to make fruit juice, eaten fresh, or jelly. Cheyenne treated these as a delicacy and would even sun dry these at times. Tribes consistently described as highly valued.

      Wild plum wine, cobbler. Highest carbs found in fruit. Get your plum on!

      Suckers so plant isolated in lawn or plan for thicketing

      Chokecherry

      Chokecherry is one of those plants whose common name is so close to another one you get it mixed up. So we’re talking about prunus Virginiana not chokeberry which is in the aronia family. 

      Chokecherry makes an excellent jelly. If you’re a little bit country you might have had some before. 

      Chokecherry fizz AKA Native Shirley Temple, Chokecherry wine, drinks all around!

      Another thicketing one but when planted in shade, doesn't spread as much. Early bloomer.

      Ribes family of plants 

      RYE-BEES FTW

      Black currant- Ribes americium 

      fruit dried, made into sauces, eaten fresh 

      likes part shade

      Buffalo currant- Ribes aureum or odoratum (goes by both names)

      likes growing in hot and dry conditions

      easy to grow, makes tasty pie

      Missouri gooseberry- Ribes missouriense 

      If you need a little Misourrah in your life...

      Elderberry- Sambucus canadensis

      Elderberries must be cooked before eating but makes a lovely jam, make sure to pick them when ripe can also use the elderflowers to make syrups, wines, and cordials 

      High iron content, songbird and pollinator favorite

      Rejuvenation pruning may be your friend here every 3-4 years

      Kay Young's Wild Seasons- I know, she's a popular gal with us...

      Shake flowers into bucket and steep flowers in hot simple syrup.

      Elderberry flower fritters and yes, you heard us right... Marbled Elderberry Cheesecake.

      Can even make elderberry capers from the unripe fruits, but must prepare correctly to remove the toxins

      Smooth sumac and staghorn sumac

      Berries used to make drinks with sugar: sumacade or sumac tea

      In the citrus family! Who knew?

      Sumac (zatar) has been used to make spices for centuries.

      Good source of Vitamin C.

      May be used to make a sumac vinaigrette.

      Spring Affair

      Get affordable plants in Lincoln this year at the Spring Affair!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>383ad91d-4835-4388-ab85-2ebeab01403eWed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -050001:11:41falsefull218182The Prairie Herbalist with Rachel LiesterThe Prairie Herbalist

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, The Prairie Herbalist , we chat with Rachel Liester about food as medicine, the best herbal salve ever, and how you can grow a pharmacy in your garden.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Rachel Liester

      Rachel Liester is an ethnobotanist, bioregional herbalist, educator, naturalist, writer and photographer. She specializes in prairie plants and has a five-acre herb farm and learning center in northeast Nebraska where she's been teaching about traditional uses of herbs as food and medicine for 30 years. Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center LLC is part of United Plants Saver's Botanical Sanctuary Network, a Certified Wildlife Habitat, a Monarch Waystation and a haven of peace and tranquility where Rachel hosts events, retreats, classes and wild herb walks and encourages visitors to experience Nature's healing touch.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Red Road Retreat and Learning Center

      • on the web: http://www.redroadherbs.com/
      • on Facebook: Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center LLCFacebook 
      
      

      Prairie Herbalist Conference- classes and intensives designed to give you the expertise to be an herbalist- in Nebraska, by golly! Let's make it a glamping extravaganza this year. Dates in July. Check the site above!

      Home Herbalist Program- Growing, Harvesting, and Creating 101

      Rugel's plantain AKA Plantago rugelii : good for bug bites, eczema., inflammation, trapped thorns

      Stinging nettle AKA Urtica dioica-full of vitamins, minerals, and antihistamines. Consider it a worthy weed and know it's stings are very effective for arthritis pain. Also know it's stinging sensation dissipates once cooked. Sick of hearing about Kay Young's Wild Seasons? If so, you're listening to the wrong podcast.

      Wild bergamot AKA Monarda fistulosa AKA aswego tea

      • member of mint family
      • mosquito repellant, digestive aid, diaphoretic, and yes ,you heard us right, love potion perfume...
      
      

      Elderberry AKA Sambucus canadensis

      • contains thymol, a natural antiseptic, and carbicol, which has anti-cancer properties
      • if you're worried about birds getting all your berries, just harvest the flowers instead
      • used to be the sign of the medicine woman if planted outside in olden times
      • instead of buying expensive medicines, make your own! just make sure to only consume berries that have been harvested when ripe and cooked!
      
      

      Chokecherry AKA Prunus virginiana

      • Early bloomer, used historically for "granola bars" AKA pemmican
      • good bitter for our diet, aids digestion, full of antioxidants
      
      

      Cattail AKA Typha latifolia- Yule Gibbons "cattails are the supermarket of the swamps," shoots, fluff, even pollen is edible. Not just a pretty damsel on the waterside.

      Sweet grass AKA Anthoxanthum nitens- fragrant, even more fragrant when dry; comb, and break off, do not pull grass out to harvest as it is a perennial; powerful for aromatherapy

      Prairie sage AKA Artemisia ludoviciana- another aromatherapy medicine, tied to healing not only due to its astringent and antiseptic properties but simply due to its aroma

      Western yarrow AKA Achillea millefolium:

      • 2024 Herb of the Year, https://www.iherb.org/herb-of-the-year/, blood medicine, an interesting example of the concept of "the doctrine of signatures," a polychrestic meaning a medicine that can treat a variety of ailments, also the star of a old-school Gaelic charm/ folk song "I will pluck the yarrow fair..."
      • A great flower for cutting and drying
      
      

      Food is medicine

      Empower yourself and help to supplement your health by planting these native herbs and berries!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>The Prairie Herbalist

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, The Prairie Herbalist , we chat with Rachel Liester about food as medicine, the best herbal salve ever, and how you can grow a pharmacy in your garden.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Rachel Liester

      Rachel Liester is an ethnobotanist, bioregional herbalist, educator, naturalist, writer and photographer. She specializes in prairie plants and has a five-acre herb farm and learning center in northeast Nebraska where she's been teaching about traditional uses of herbs as food and medicine for 30 years. Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center LLC is part of United Plants Saver's Botanical Sanctuary Network, a Certified Wildlife Habitat, a Monarch Waystation and a haven of peace and tranquility where Rachel hosts events, retreats, classes and wild herb walks and encourages visitors to experience Nature's healing touch.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Red Road Retreat and Learning Center

      • on the web: http://www.redroadherbs.com/
      • on Facebook: Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center LLCFacebook 
      
      

      Prairie Herbalist Conference- classes and intensives designed to give you the expertise to be an herbalist- in Nebraska, by golly! Let's make it a glamping extravaganza this year. Dates in July. Check the site above!

      Home Herbalist Program- Growing, Harvesting, and Creating 101

      Rugel's plantain AKA Plantago rugelii : good for bug bites, eczema., inflammation, trapped thorns

      Stinging nettle AKA Urtica dioica-full of vitamins, minerals, and antihistamines. Consider it a worthy weed and know it's stings are very effective for arthritis pain. Also know it's stinging sensation dissipates once cooked. Sick of hearing about Kay Young's Wild Seasons? If so, you're listening to the wrong podcast.

      Wild bergamot AKA Monarda fistulosa AKA aswego tea

      • member of mint family
      • mosquito repellant, digestive aid, diaphoretic, and yes ,you heard us right, love potion perfume...
      
      

      Elderberry AKA Sambucus canadensis

      • contains thymol, a natural antiseptic, and carbicol, which has anti-cancer properties
      • if you're worried about birds getting all your berries, just harvest the flowers instead
      • used to be the sign of the medicine woman if planted outside in olden times
      • instead of buying expensive medicines, make your own! just make sure to only consume berries that have been harvested when ripe and cooked!
      
      

      Chokecherry AKA Prunus virginiana

      • Early bloomer, used historically for "granola bars" AKA pemmican
      • good bitter for our diet, aids digestion, full of antioxidants
      
      

      Cattail AKA Typha latifolia- Yule Gibbons "cattails are the supermarket of the swamps," shoots, fluff, even pollen is edible. Not just a pretty damsel on the waterside.

      Sweet grass AKA Anthoxanthum nitens- fragrant, even more fragrant when dry; comb, and break off, do not pull grass out to harvest as it is a perennial; powerful for aromatherapy

      Prairie sage AKA Artemisia ludoviciana- another aromatherapy medicine, tied to healing not only due to its astringent and antiseptic properties but simply due to its aroma

      Western yarrow AKA Achillea millefolium:

      • 2024 Herb of the Year, https://www.iherb.org/herb-of-the-year/, blood medicine, an interesting example of the concept of "the doctrine of signatures," a polychrestic meaning a medicine that can treat a variety of ailments, also the star of a old-school Gaelic charm/ folk song "I will pluck the yarrow fair..."
      • A great flower for cutting and drying
      
      

      Food is medicine

      Empower yourself and help to supplement your health by planting these native herbs and berries!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>4a91ddb2-deff-4cd5-90a4-816ee6f0bde4Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -050001:18:57falsefull217172In Rebellion Against the Neat and Tidy with Host Stephanie BarelmanIn Rebellion Against the Neat and Tidy

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, In Rebellion Against the Neat and Tidy, we go over why seemingly perfect gardens are not sustainable and address common garden myths that may prevent you and others from growing native gardenscapes.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Over-curated, over-groomed, over-mulched gardens are not sustainable

      • We need to transition from over-consumption to being sustainable producers for our local ecosystems. 
      • Let’s make less chemical and plastic waste and save ourselves time and moolah!
      • Mulching is unnatural and so tedious!!! Why do it every year? That’s the definition of insanity! Mulch once- you heard me- just once, and let nature do its thing by injecting in ground covers, sedges, and native grasses to inhibit weeds and create a full landscape.
      • Don’t deadhead, just don’t do it. 
      
      

      For a low maitenence garden, know your plants.

      • Don’t overtend them.
      • Wait to cut back perennials until spring.
      • And please for the love of all things Mother Earth, let wild plants go a little wild. 
      
      

      “The Green Thumb” isn’t real! And neither is half the other crap we believe.

      • You do not need to be Michael Jordan to play basketball, you don’t have to be some sort of crazy garden-savant to garden. It’s (actual) fake news!!!
      
      

      No, native gardens DON’T require a lot of time and money.

      • Imagine how much time Karen next door expends mowing, mulching, weeding, trimming hedges, fertilizing, watering, and spraying chemicals on a monthly basis. You see where I’m going with this?
      • Also, boxwoods and hydrangeas aren’t cheap. 
      • Start small and work from there. Repeat after me: START SMALL. You can always go full-metal-maximalist in a few year’s time. 
      
      

      No, native gardens DON’T increase allergy symptoms 

      • But that monoculture of allergy-causing turf grass? Public enemy #1
      
      

      No, bees and wasps will NOT sting everyone .

      • They may sting your daughter if she tries to pet their fuzzy little bodies. But mostly they are out to… you guessed it… find other insect prey, nectar, pollen, sleeping places, mating places, among other things that bees and wasps do.
      
      

      No, a native garden will NOT increase other unpleasant wildlife such as mice, mosquitos, voles, skunks, moles, spiders, snakes, and just way too many bugs.

      • Because life on earth is going to be around even if you just have turf grass and dirty old kids toys for yard decorations. 
      • Let’s encourage that life on earth has a right to exist, even if it isn’t human, canine, or feline. 
      
      

      And no, there is NO “right” way to landscape

      • Gardening is like art. There are many different ways to do it right. You do not NEED foundation plants, you do not NEED containers filled with exotic annuals, you do not NEED turf grass, you do not NEED your landscape to be 100 percent weed-free (which is also another myth) you do not NEED to mulch every year, you do not NEED to do something because your neighbor, or your mother-in-law, or even another gardener says you NEED to do it or not do it.  You’re welcome.
      
      

      Share the love!

      • Let’s plant native, spread the love, and meet people where they are- in their sterile, super green turf grass- and show them a different way of doing things. Who knows, they just might listen. 
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>In Rebellion Against the Neat and Tidy

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, In Rebellion Against the Neat and Tidy, we go over why seemingly perfect gardens are not sustainable and address common garden myths that may prevent you and others from growing native gardenscapes.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Over-curated, over-groomed, over-mulched gardens are not sustainable

      • We need to transition from over-consumption to being sustainable producers for our local ecosystems. 
      • Let’s make less chemical and plastic waste and save ourselves time and moolah!
      • Mulching is unnatural and so tedious!!! Why do it every year? That’s the definition of insanity! Mulch once- you heard me- just once, and let nature do its thing by injecting in ground covers, sedges, and native grasses to inhibit weeds and create a full landscape.
      • Don’t deadhead, just don’t do it. 
      
      

      For a low maitenence garden, know your plants.

      • Don’t overtend them.
      • Wait to cut back perennials until spring.
      • And please for the love of all things Mother Earth, let wild plants go a little wild. 
      
      

      “The Green Thumb” isn’t real! And neither is half the other crap we believe.

      • You do not need to be Michael Jordan to play basketball, you don’t have to be some sort of crazy garden-savant to garden. It’s (actual) fake news!!!
      
      

      No, native gardens DON’T require a lot of time and money.

      • Imagine how much time Karen next door expends mowing, mulching, weeding, trimming hedges, fertilizing, watering, and spraying chemicals on a monthly basis. You see where I’m going with this?
      • Also, boxwoods and hydrangeas aren’t cheap. 
      • Start small and work from there. Repeat after me: START SMALL. You can always go full-metal-maximalist in a few year’s time. 
      
      

      No, native gardens DON’T increase allergy symptoms 

      • But that monoculture of allergy-causing turf grass? Public enemy #1
      
      

      No, bees and wasps will NOT sting everyone .

      • They may sting your daughter if she tries to pet their fuzzy little bodies. But mostly they are out to… you guessed it… find other insect prey, nectar, pollen, sleeping places, mating places, among other things that bees and wasps do.
      
      

      No, a native garden will NOT increase other unpleasant wildlife such as mice, mosquitos, voles, skunks, moles, spiders, snakes, and just way too many bugs.

      • Because life on earth is going to be around even if you just have turf grass and dirty old kids toys for yard decorations. 
      • Let’s encourage that life on earth has a right to exist, even if it isn’t human, canine, or feline. 
      
      

      And no, there is NO “right” way to landscape

      • Gardening is like art. There are many different ways to do it right. You do not NEED foundation plants, you do not NEED containers filled with exotic annuals, you do not NEED turf grass, you do not NEED your landscape to be 100 percent weed-free (which is also another myth) you do not NEED to mulch every year, you do not NEED to do something because your neighbor, or your mother-in-law, or even another gardener says you NEED to do it or not do it.  You’re welcome.
      
      

      Share the love!

      • Let’s plant native, spread the love, and meet people where they are- in their sterile, super green turf grass- and show them a different way of doing things. Who knows, they just might listen. 
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Milkweed Matters
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>553784eb-b25c-4e1c-ba28-7ce50b609c00Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -050027:19falsefull216162Softer Landings with Heather HolmSofter landings

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Softer Landings, we chat with Heather Holm, pollinator conservationist and author, about leaf litter, the mighty oak, and what we can do to make more “habitable” habitats in often underutilized understory. Thanks for listening! 

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Heather Holm

      Heather Holm is a pollinator conservationist and award-winning author of four books: Pollinators of Native Plants (2014), Bees (2017), Wasps (2021), and Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States (2022). Both Bees and Wasps have won multiple book awards including the American Horticultural Society Book Award. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and many local publications. Heather is a National Honorary Director of Wild Ones and also serves on the boards of several non-profits: Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary and Friends of Minnetonka Parks.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Visit Heather’s site and get pollinator educated!

      • Heather’s site: www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com you will find lots of amazing stuff and lose about 3 hours of your day! You’re welcome!
      • Soft landings: https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/softlandings.html 
      
      

      Keystone plants: what does that even mean?

      • Heather’s free handout on keystone plants! https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/uploads/1/3/9/1/13913231/softlandingskeystonehandout.pdf
      • Some native plants have significant interactions with the food web. In essence they are more significant than other species. Essentially, the not-Karens of the natural world.
      • Plant native stuff! You can find many amazing databases and resources online. Try out nwf.org/nativeplantfinder and check out their ecoregion guides.
      • Audubon also has a native plants database: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants The birds will thank you… or they will eat dinner and sneak away, much like my mother likes to do. 
      
      

      Soft landings- nice, cushy spaces for our little insect friends.

      Leaf litter and diverse native plantings under native trees. A multi-season buffet for birds and a haven for all the sweet little caterpillar babe-ays. And fireflies, and bumblebees, and ladybugs… You get the idea.

      Yet another reason insecticides are bad 

      • Did you know systemic insecticides can persist in woody plant material for long periods of time-like years? I didn’t…
      • Check out this Xerxes Society publication here.
      
      

      Tailored plant list for NE

      • Here’s Heather’s full list for multiple regions. https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/uploads/1/3/9/1/13913231/softlandingshandout.pdf
      • We’ve narrowed the list down to NE here: 
      
      

      Wildflowers

      • Wild Columbine
      • Wild ginger
      • Wild geranium
      • May apple
      • Bloodroot
      • Short’s aster
      • Common blue violet
      
      

      Grasses and sedges

      • Carex brevior 
      • Pennsylvania sedge
      • Sprengel’s sedge
      • Bottlebrush grass
      
      

      Ferns

      • Lady fern
      • Marginal fern
      • Maidenhair fern
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>Softer landings

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Softer Landings, we chat with Heather Holm, pollinator conservationist and author, about leaf litter, the mighty oak, and what we can do to make more “habitable” habitats in often underutilized understory. Thanks for listening! 

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Heather Holm

      Heather Holm is a pollinator conservationist and award-winning author of four books: Pollinators of Native Plants (2014), Bees (2017), Wasps (2021), and Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States (2022). Both Bees and Wasps have won multiple book awards including the American Horticultural Society Book Award. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and many local publications. Heather is a National Honorary Director of Wild Ones and also serves on the boards of several non-profits: Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary and Friends of Minnetonka Parks.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Visit Heather’s site and get pollinator educated!

      • Heather’s site: www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com you will find lots of amazing stuff and lose about 3 hours of your day! You’re welcome!
      • Soft landings: https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/softlandings.html 
      
      

      Keystone plants: what does that even mean?

      • Heather’s free handout on keystone plants! https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/uploads/1/3/9/1/13913231/softlandingskeystonehandout.pdf
      • Some native plants have significant interactions with the food web. In essence they are more significant than other species. Essentially, the not-Karens of the natural world.
      • Plant native stuff! You can find many amazing databases and resources online. Try out nwf.org/nativeplantfinder and check out their ecoregion guides.
      • Audubon also has a native plants database: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants The birds will thank you… or they will eat dinner and sneak away, much like my mother likes to do. 
      
      

      Soft landings- nice, cushy spaces for our little insect friends.

      Leaf litter and diverse native plantings under native trees. A multi-season buffet for birds and a haven for all the sweet little caterpillar babe-ays. And fireflies, and bumblebees, and ladybugs… You get the idea.

      Yet another reason insecticides are bad 

      • Did you know systemic insecticides can persist in woody plant material for long periods of time-like years? I didn’t…
      • Check out this Xerxes Society publication here.
      
      

      Tailored plant list for NE

      • Here’s Heather’s full list for multiple regions. https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/uploads/1/3/9/1/13913231/softlandingshandout.pdf
      • We’ve narrowed the list down to NE here: 
      
      

      Wildflowers

      • Wild Columbine
      • Wild ginger
      • Wild geranium
      • May apple
      • Bloodroot
      • Short’s aster
      • Common blue violet
      
      

      Grasses and sedges

      • Carex brevior 
      • Pennsylvania sedge
      • Sprengel’s sedge
      • Bottlebrush grass
      
      

      Ferns

      • Lady fern
      • Marginal fern
      • Maidenhair fern
      
      

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>b0ba4806-0604-401b-8228-7ae6577afff5Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -050040:02falsefull115151Native Edible Plants Part 3: Nuts, Blossoms, and Fruits with Bob HenricksonNative Edible Plants Part 3: Nuts, Blossoms, and Fruits

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part 3: Nuts, Blossoms, and Fruits, we chat with Bob Henrickson from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum about rabbit holes, unripe black walnut liqueur and even more native plants to add to your edible garden.  

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a freelance garden designer, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms, and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Native American Ethnobotany 

      I again gleaned some info from Daniel Moerman’s Native American Ethnobotany

      This is a great tome that may be an inspiring winter time read. Just be prepared to tuck in for a good long while. 

      NSA needs your membership!

      Check them out at plantnebraska.org. Just last year, 15 schools were given free gardens and over 45,000 plants, shrubs, and trees were put in the ground. Pretty impressive! Definitely worthy of your support!

      NOW TO THE PLANTS!

      American Hazelnut Corylus americana - nutmeats 

      Iroquois used nutmeats crushed and mixed with bread, hominy, mashed potatoes. Ponca, Winnebago, and Omaha tribes used as a body for soup.

      Tough plant, great for songbird nesting, early fall color, sweet little catkins in spring. 

      Look up Kay Young’s hazelnut cake recipe. Multi-season plant if there ever was one. 

      Shagbark hickory Carya ovata- nuts

      Nutmeats were mixed into bread crushed or whole a lot like American hazelnut but I read several tribes used hickory chips made from the exfoliating bark to make hickory bark syrup. 

      Nuts can also be eaten plain or with honey. Just remember to cure them! 

      Bob recommends making Cherokee hickory nut soup. Hickory nuts are full of good fats and nutritious!

      Drought tolerant, but need more than one for pollination. Can plant with other native hickories like shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa) also known as the king of nuts. Shellbark is very, very close in native range, being found in a close county in Iowa and elsewhere in our region.

      Bob was bragging about his hickory nut pie. So I will have to demand one from him eventually because I am too lazy to make it myself. 

      Black walnut Juglans nigra- nuts

      Doesn’t kill everything around it. Bob says jugalone more affects non-natives than those plants adapted to growing around it for eons. 

      Can harvest early- mid June. Harvest when hull is green otherwise nuts are too bitter from the intensifying tannins in the hull that passes to the nut. 

      Nutmeat is full of beneficial carbs. Make sure you clean them and cure them. 

      Nocino- a fancy Italian liqueur that doesn’t have to only be made by Catholics in Italy. We can make it here, if for nothing other than to impress our friends at dinner parties! Learn more about foraging walnuts for nocino here: https://foragerchef.com/nocino-black-walnut-liquor/

      Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis- pods and flowers 

      I just really love this native tree because of its versatility and early-blooming charm. We see this one popping up everywhere around Fontenelle Forest which is typical because it’s a happy understory tree. 

      Bob’s ideas: 

      Salad garnish

      Pickled redbuds i.e. redbud capers

      Edible young pods- very nutritious!

      Harvesting leaves for salads in translucent stage

      Homemade dried flower granola

      Fancy deviled egg topping

      Redbud jelly

      Mature pods to harvest seeds inside 25% daily value of protein

      You’re welcome.

      Plains (Opuntia polyacantha) and twistspine (Opuntia macrorhiza) prickly pear- fruit

      Navajo dried and boiled or eaten raw-twistspine prickly pear

      Cheyenne dried pulp and used to thicken soups and stews- plains prickly pear

      Bob says how you use is you rub the glochids off and split open. 

      Tasty fruit, prickly pear is used in Mexico and U.S. to make a nopales sorta which are essentially prickly pear grilled cheese sandwiches. Learn more about foraging prickly pear or opuntia here: https://talatasailing.com/foraging-cactus-for-nopales/

      You CAN grow these plants in the suburbs, just keep them high and dry, maybe in a rock garden. 

      Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia-fruit

      If Canadians collect it by the bucketfuls, maybe they are on to something? Highly-prized berries by Omaha, Ponca, and many other tribes. 

      Collect when the berries are bluish purple, though the birds may beat you to it. 

      Tons of recipes online. Indigenous tribes used serviceberries historically to make pemmican, or as Bob calls them, the first energy bars. They also used serviceberries also known as juneberries in pies, puddings, cakes, and soups. One large shrub’s fruit harvest, in a good year, is enough to make two pies. But serviceberries are often pot-bound when sold at nurseries. Just try to buy the smallest tree in the largest pot. 

      Self-fertile so only one is needed!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! Native Edible Plants Part 3: Nuts, Blossoms, and Fruits

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part 3: Nuts, Blossoms, and Fruits, we chat with Bob Henrickson from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum about rabbit holes, unripe black walnut liqueur and even more native plants to add to your edible garden.  

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a freelance garden designer, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms, and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Native American Ethnobotany 

      I again gleaned some info from Daniel Moerman’s Native American Ethnobotany

      This is a great tome that may be an inspiring winter time read. Just be prepared to tuck in for a good long while. 

      NSA needs your membership!

      Check them out at plantnebraska.org. Just last year, 15 schools were given free gardens and over 45,000 plants, shrubs, and trees were put in the ground. Pretty impressive! Definitely worthy of your support!

      NOW TO THE PLANTS!

      American Hazelnut Corylus americana - nutmeats 

      Iroquois used nutmeats crushed and mixed with bread, hominy, mashed potatoes. Ponca, Winnebago, and Omaha tribes used as a body for soup.

      Tough plant, great for songbird nesting, early fall color, sweet little catkins in spring. 

      Look up Kay Young’s hazelnut cake recipe. Multi-season plant if there ever was one. 

      Shagbark hickory Carya ovata- nuts

      Nutmeats were mixed into bread crushed or whole a lot like American hazelnut but I read several tribes used hickory chips made from the exfoliating bark to make hickory bark syrup. 

      Nuts can also be eaten plain or with honey. Just remember to cure them! 

      Bob recommends making Cherokee hickory nut soup. Hickory nuts are full of good fats and nutritious!

      Drought tolerant, but need more than one for pollination. Can plant with other native hickories like shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa) also known as the king of nuts. Shellbark is very, very close in native range, being found in a close county in Iowa and elsewhere in our region.

      Bob was bragging about his hickory nut pie. So I will have to demand one from him eventually because I am too lazy to make it myself. 

      Black walnut Juglans nigra- nuts

      Doesn’t kill everything around it. Bob says jugalone more affects non-natives than those plants adapted to growing around it for eons. 

      Can harvest early- mid June. Harvest when hull is green otherwise nuts are too bitter from the intensifying tannins in the hull that passes to the nut. 

      Nutmeat is full of beneficial carbs. Make sure you clean them and cure them. 

      Nocino- a fancy Italian liqueur that doesn’t have to only be made by Catholics in Italy. We can make it here, if for nothing other than to impress our friends at dinner parties! Learn more about foraging walnuts for nocino here: https://foragerchef.com/nocino-black-walnut-liquor/

      Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis- pods and flowers 

      I just really love this native tree because of its versatility and early-blooming charm. We see this one popping up everywhere around Fontenelle Forest which is typical because it’s a happy understory tree. 

      Bob’s ideas: 

      Salad garnish

      Pickled redbuds i.e. redbud capers

      Edible young pods- very nutritious!

      Harvesting leaves for salads in translucent stage

      Homemade dried flower granola

      Fancy deviled egg topping

      Redbud jelly

      Mature pods to harvest seeds inside 25% daily value of protein

      You’re welcome.

      Plains (Opuntia polyacantha) and twistspine (Opuntia macrorhiza) prickly pear- fruit

      Navajo dried and boiled or eaten raw-twistspine prickly pear

      Cheyenne dried pulp and used to thicken soups and stews- plains prickly pear

      Bob says how you use is you rub the glochids off and split open. 

      Tasty fruit, prickly pear is used in Mexico and U.S. to make a nopales sorta which are essentially prickly pear grilled cheese sandwiches. Learn more about foraging prickly pear or opuntia here: https://talatasailing.com/foraging-cactus-for-nopales/

      You CAN grow these plants in the suburbs, just keep them high and dry, maybe in a rock garden. 

      Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia-fruit

      If Canadians collect it by the bucketfuls, maybe they are on to something? Highly-prized berries by Omaha, Ponca, and many other tribes. 

      Collect when the berries are bluish purple, though the birds may beat you to it. 

      Tons of recipes online. Indigenous tribes used serviceberries historically to make pemmican, or as Bob calls them, the first energy bars. They also used serviceberries also known as juneberries in pies, puddings, cakes, and soups. One large shrub’s fruit harvest, in a good year, is enough to make two pies. But serviceberries are often pot-bound when sold at nurseries. Just try to buy the smallest tree in the largest pot. 

      Self-fertile so only one is needed!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>35c718aa-d282-4c5b-a753-32cbdfb3e020Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -050001:03:01falsefull114141Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals with Host Stephanie BarelmanPatience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals, we go over common mistakes beginner and even intermediate gardeners can make; the virtues of serenity, patience, and open-mindedness in the garden; and how your best-laid plans can come true.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      #gardengoals

      • Don't be rigid
      • Do have fun
      • Don't fall on the sword of perfectionism
      • Don't worry about every little weed
      • Do think about what your spaces to be
      • Do be thoughtful
      • Do make a plan, but don't be afraid to deviate from it
      
      

      Failures are the star-stuff dreams are made of

      You know how we are all just leftover particles from dead stars?

      The very beginning of human knowledge is screwing up, or at the very least, understanding how things work.

      Failure= Understanding Success

      We can also acknowledge beautiful things unfolding from devastating realties. Waxing philosophical now...

      That being said there may be mistakes you'd like to avoid altogether:

      Mistake #1: All planning and no action.

      Don't plan stuff out and then not do it. Don't do that to yourself, it's not nice.

      • Don't panic! We can help you think of ideas! https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
      • You can take Monarch Gardens classes https://www.monarchgard.com/classes.html
      • Prairie Moon has some layouts to get you started: https://www.prairiemoon.com/PDF/2020-Prairie-Moon-Nursery.Garden-Kit-Layout-Suggestion_WEB.pdf
      
      

      Mistake #2: Ignoring the house front.

      The front of your house should be the first place you look to make a statement about natural spaces and it's likely the one you frequent the most. Just remember:

      • Use cues to care https://www.humanegardener.com/wild-design-home-gardens/
      • Mix up bloom times. Think: all seasons
      • Keep your space maintained. Weed once a month: at minimum
      
      

      Mistake #3: Not prepping the space well before getting started. 

      How to site prep: https://prairielegacyinc.com/planning-your-prairie/

      Think of garden shapes: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/basic-design-principles-and-styles-garden-beds

      Mistake #4: Forgetting about ground covers.

      Sedges, baby.

      Popular ground covers for sun: heath aster, wild strawberry, Missouri evening primrose, silky aster, purple poppy mallow, pussytoes, purple prairie clover and more.

      Popular ground covers for shade include wild ginger, violets, wild geranium, zig zag goldenrod, mayapple, shade asters, Virginia waterleaf, and others.

      Mistake #5: Not taking sun requirements into account or planting something that likes it wet in dry soil or vice versa.

      Look up plant stats, but experimental skepticism is ok.

      Mistake #6: Not thinking of adding in paths to weed and access the garden.

      Paths can be stepping stones, turf grass, mulch, crushed limestone. The options are there. Just make it easy for yourself to get around. Make paths two to three feet wide.

      Mistake #7 Planting a ton of tall stuff by a sidewalk or path, or letting something go to seed and grow there so your paths disappear.

      Need a recipe for some potting soil for all the stuff you have to pot up because you psychotically can't bear to waste it??? Yeah???

      https://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening/homemade-potting-mix-with-compost

      Mistake #8 Planting several aggressive plants, when it’s more practical to control one or two.

      Aggressive things to keep an eye on:

      • Root Spreaders: wild mint, silphiums, native sunflowers, prairie sage, western yarrow, obedient plant, native roses, elderberry, common milkweed
      • Prolific Seeders: hyssops, pitcher sage, tall boneset, verbena stricta, rudbeckias
      
      

      We are not saying "DO NOT USE" these plants. We are saying decide for yourself if you can handle the maintenance. Many of these are wonderful plants. You can always grow root spreaders in large containers.

      Mistake #9 Not planting most things in drifts. 

      Drift philosophy: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/fundamentals-of-natural-garden-design

      Mistake #10 Trying to do too much all at the same time.

      Dream big but start small. Maintain what you finish. Impress your neighbors. Remember we want to win them over!

      Be patient

      Gardens take time to be at their best. Some plants need years to even get started. Baptisia, leadplant, and shrubby St. John's wort are all plants that need years to really get going.

      Let yourself practice and play. Have fun and live a little!

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Patience, Mistakes, and #gardengoals, we go over common mistakes beginner and even intermediate gardeners can make; the virtues of serenity, patience, and open-mindedness in the garden; and how your best-laid plans can come true.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      #gardengoals

      • Don't be rigid
      • Do have fun
      • Don't fall on the sword of perfectionism
      • Don't worry about every little weed
      • Do think about what your spaces to be
      • Do be thoughtful
      • Do make a plan, but don't be afraid to deviate from it
      
      

      Failures are the star-stuff dreams are made of

      You know how we are all just leftover particles from dead stars?

      The very beginning of human knowledge is screwing up, or at the very least, understanding how things work.

      Failure= Understanding Success

      We can also acknowledge beautiful things unfolding from devastating realties. Waxing philosophical now...

      That being said there may be mistakes you'd like to avoid altogether:

      Mistake #1: All planning and no action.

      Don't plan stuff out and then not do it. Don't do that to yourself, it's not nice.

      • Don't panic! We can help you think of ideas! https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
      • You can take Monarch Gardens classes https://www.monarchgard.com/classes.html
      • Prairie Moon has some layouts to get you started: https://www.prairiemoon.com/PDF/2020-Prairie-Moon-Nursery.Garden-Kit-Layout-Suggestion_WEB.pdf
      
      

      Mistake #2: Ignoring the house front.

      The front of your house should be the first place you look to make a statement about natural spaces and it's likely the one you frequent the most. Just remember:

      • Use cues to care https://www.humanegardener.com/wild-design-home-gardens/
      • Mix up bloom times. Think: all seasons
      • Keep your space maintained. Weed once a month: at minimum
      
      

      Mistake #3: Not prepping the space well before getting started. 

      How to site prep: https://prairielegacyinc.com/planning-your-prairie/

      Think of garden shapes: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/basic-design-principles-and-styles-garden-beds

      Mistake #4: Forgetting about ground covers.

      Sedges, baby.

      Popular ground covers for sun: heath aster, wild strawberry, Missouri evening primrose, silky aster, purple poppy mallow, pussytoes, purple prairie clover and more.

      Popular ground covers for shade include wild ginger, violets, wild geranium, zig zag goldenrod, mayapple, shade asters, Virginia waterleaf, and others.

      Mistake #5: Not taking sun requirements into account or planting something that likes it wet in dry soil or vice versa.

      Look up plant stats, but experimental skepticism is ok.

      Mistake #6: Not thinking of adding in paths to weed and access the garden.

      Paths can be stepping stones, turf grass, mulch, crushed limestone. The options are there. Just make it easy for yourself to get around. Make paths two to three feet wide.

      Mistake #7 Planting a ton of tall stuff by a sidewalk or path, or letting something go to seed and grow there so your paths disappear.

      Need a recipe for some potting soil for all the stuff you have to pot up because you psychotically can't bear to waste it??? Yeah???

      https://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening/homemade-potting-mix-with-compost

      Mistake #8 Planting several aggressive plants, when it’s more practical to control one or two.

      Aggressive things to keep an eye on:

      • Root Spreaders: wild mint, silphiums, native sunflowers, prairie sage, western yarrow, obedient plant, native roses, elderberry, common milkweed
      • Prolific Seeders: hyssops, pitcher sage, tall boneset, verbena stricta, rudbeckias
      
      

      We are not saying "DO NOT USE" these plants. We are saying decide for yourself if you can handle the maintenance. Many of these are wonderful plants. You can always grow root spreaders in large containers.

      Mistake #9 Not planting most things in drifts. 

      Drift philosophy: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/fundamentals-of-natural-garden-design

      Mistake #10 Trying to do too much all at the same time.

      Dream big but start small. Maintain what you finish. Impress your neighbors. Remember we want to win them over!

      Be patient

      Gardens take time to be at their best. Some plants need years to even get started. Baptisia, leadplant, and shrubby St. John's wort are all plants that need years to really get going.

      Let yourself practice and play. Have fun and live a little!

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>2a518fd1-4573-41e1-8fa3-14faa5f87eceTue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -050019:45falsefull112121Native Edible Plants Part Two: Vegetables, Alliums, and Greens with Bob HenricksonNative Edible Plants Part Two: Vegetables, Alliums, and Greens

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part Two, we go over some benefits of homegrown food, what native prairie plants make interesting and excellent veggies, some extra benefits these plants provide.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Why shouldn’t we leave food to supermarkets?

      There are many benefits to growing native Nebraska plants for food:

      • Look at the reasons we list for part one! https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/native-edible-plants-part-one-wildflower-teas
      • Thousands of miles away vs. front porch
      • Native foods are edible AND tasty AND are likely not at your supermarket
      
      

      Lamb's Quarters

      Related to quinoa, lamb's quarters are a forager’s superfood! This is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Tender leaves can be boiled like spinach or eaten raw as a green. Usually this one is weeded out, but maybe we all make a designated space for it and reap the wealth! Wilts quickly so put it in a cooler of ice immediately after harvesting.

      Bob is again asking you to read Wild Seasons by Kay Young

      Look up Creamed Lamb’s Quarters with Mushrooms. This article by Bob https://hles.unl.edu/weed-em-eat-em. Or roast it with sunflower oil. Just let it have a corner of your garden. That’s all we’re asking…

      Ohio Spiderwort 

      • Make Spiderwort Soda or better yet, Spiderwort Jelly. Plant shoots, greens, and flowers are edible. Harvest in spring.
      • Ever wonder what’s in a name? Wort means the plant has a long association with medicine. 
      • Flowers make a colorful garnish and bloom early in the year. Put cooked flowers in your frittata. Make your friends jealous of your conniving hippy ways.
      
      

      Allium Canadense: Wild Garlic 

      Bulbs cooked or eaten raw, Iroquois and Cherokee tribes dried it and used it as seasoning. 

      Allium Cernuum: Nodding Wild Onion

      Lesser used native allium with interesting drooping blooms; you know we would probably utilize the native onions more if we stopped growing exotic ones…

      Purple Poppy Mallow

      • Roots and leaves can be cooked and eaten
      • MUCILAGINOUS!!!!!! 
      • Beautiful, bright colored flower so very cool it has edible uses as well. 
      • Be a thrifty druid and cut off the crown and replant with a bit of the root. Never ending supply of plant material!
      
      

      Bob also wants you to read Samuel Thayer. 

      • I am a hopeless book collector with no hope of reading them all. We really want you to have the same problem.
      
      

      Common Milkweed

      • We all know these are good for monarchs, but guess what- edible uses too! Leaves and immature flowers can be cooked with butter, salt, and pepper; Omaha tribe would use tender shoots boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Recipes of note: milkweed leaf soup, milkweed flower cordial, milkweed flower vinegar, milkweed flower fritters.
      • Or be really crazy and scary and eat the undeveloped silk. 
      • Apparently, common milkweed contains a similar iso-enzyme as papain, called asclepains which works natural to tenderize meats. Native people would boil buffalo meat with milkweed pods and thus make their meat more tender.
      • Who hasn’t died from shock yet?
      • Exclusive extra from reading the show notes: https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-milkweed/
      
      

      Jerusalem artichoke- “Sunchoke”

      Native sunflower. Can harvest tubers once after frost hits around Halloween/Thanksgiving or in March if you didn’t harvest in fall. Cut seedheads off in the fall and cut back to ankle height and harvest anytime. This plant has invasive potential so you want to isolate it by planting it directly into a whiskey barrel style container or plant it in an island bed or circular garden in the middle of turf grass. 

      Roast at 400 F for 40 minutes turning once halfway through. Can also pickle sun chokes with turmeric to evoke the yellow of the flower. Tubers don’t store well so use immediately. 

      28% of your daily iron… You’re welcome.

      Soapweed- Yucca Glauca

      Yucca Glauca different from Yucca  “Adam’s Needle” Filamentosa- both sport unique forms and unusual, but beautiful, flowers.

      Recipes of note: roasted yucca stalks, sautéed yucca flowers and eggs, tempura battered yucca flowers, yucca hot chocolate…

      Fruit can be used raw or cooked, stems can be cooked like asparagus. Use flowers when they are young and ripe.

      It might not have survived the edit, but cordage on par with hemp can be made from the leaves. Roots can be used for soap. 

      Broadleaf Cattail- Typha Latifolia 

      Cattail: related to corn, nature’s breadbasket, just an incredible plant that deserves a second look. You might have trouble growing it at home, but might be a good excuse to make a pond scape, bog garden, or sink your kid’s neglected wading pool into the ground and making a cattail garden. 

      • Can be used to make imitation pulled pork. Cattail Fluff Pulled Pork. You might get a Michelin star from this stuff. Prairie to Table. 
      • Cattail Pollen Spaghetti; I’m seriously not making this stuff up. Not only does the pollen turn the pasta bright canary yellow it also adds 17% of your daily protein. 
      
      

      Bob is again asking you to read Kay Young’s Wild Seasons and also find out who Euell Gibbons is. 

      Just do it. 

      Kay Young Wild Seasons

      Euell Gibbons

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • You can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of...]]>Native Edible Plants Part Two: Vegetables, Alliums, and Greens

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part Two, we go over some benefits of homegrown food, what native prairie plants make interesting and excellent veggies, some extra benefits these plants provide.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Why shouldn’t we leave food to supermarkets?

      There are many benefits to growing native Nebraska plants for food:

      • Look at the reasons we list for part one! https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/native-edible-plants-part-one-wildflower-teas
      • Thousands of miles away vs. front porch
      • Native foods are edible AND tasty AND are likely not at your supermarket
      
      

      Lamb's Quarters

      Related to quinoa, lamb's quarters are a forager’s superfood! This is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Tender leaves can be boiled like spinach or eaten raw as a green. Usually this one is weeded out, but maybe we all make a designated space for it and reap the wealth! Wilts quickly so put it in a cooler of ice immediately after harvesting.

      Bob is again asking you to read Wild Seasons by Kay Young

      Look up Creamed Lamb’s Quarters with Mushrooms. This article by Bob https://hles.unl.edu/weed-em-eat-em. Or roast it with sunflower oil. Just let it have a corner of your garden. That’s all we’re asking…

      Ohio Spiderwort 

      • Make Spiderwort Soda or better yet, Spiderwort Jelly. Plant shoots, greens, and flowers are edible. Harvest in spring.
      • Ever wonder what’s in a name? Wort means the plant has a long association with medicine. 
      • Flowers make a colorful garnish and bloom early in the year. Put cooked flowers in your frittata. Make your friends jealous of your conniving hippy ways.
      
      

      Allium Canadense: Wild Garlic 

      Bulbs cooked or eaten raw, Iroquois and Cherokee tribes dried it and used it as seasoning. 

      Allium Cernuum: Nodding Wild Onion

      Lesser used native allium with interesting drooping blooms; you know we would probably utilize the native onions more if we stopped growing exotic ones…

      Purple Poppy Mallow

      • Roots and leaves can be cooked and eaten
      • MUCILAGINOUS!!!!!! 
      • Beautiful, bright colored flower so very cool it has edible uses as well. 
      • Be a thrifty druid and cut off the crown and replant with a bit of the root. Never ending supply of plant material!
      
      

      Bob also wants you to read Samuel Thayer. 

      • I am a hopeless book collector with no hope of reading them all. We really want you to have the same problem.
      
      

      Common Milkweed

      • We all know these are good for monarchs, but guess what- edible uses too! Leaves and immature flowers can be cooked with butter, salt, and pepper; Omaha tribe would use tender shoots boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Recipes of note: milkweed leaf soup, milkweed flower cordial, milkweed flower vinegar, milkweed flower fritters.
      • Or be really crazy and scary and eat the undeveloped silk. 
      • Apparently, common milkweed contains a similar iso-enzyme as papain, called asclepains which works natural to tenderize meats. Native people would boil buffalo meat with milkweed pods and thus make their meat more tender.
      • Who hasn’t died from shock yet?
      • Exclusive extra from reading the show notes: https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-milkweed/
      
      

      Jerusalem artichoke- “Sunchoke”

      Native sunflower. Can harvest tubers once after frost hits around Halloween/Thanksgiving or in March if you didn’t harvest in fall. Cut seedheads off in the fall and cut back to ankle height and harvest anytime. This plant has invasive potential so you want to isolate it by planting it directly into a whiskey barrel style container or plant it in an island bed or circular garden in the middle of turf grass. 

      Roast at 400 F for 40 minutes turning once halfway through. Can also pickle sun chokes with turmeric to evoke the yellow of the flower. Tubers don’t store well so use immediately. 

      28% of your daily iron… You’re welcome.

      Soapweed- Yucca Glauca

      Yucca Glauca different from Yucca  “Adam’s Needle” Filamentosa- both sport unique forms and unusual, but beautiful, flowers.

      Recipes of note: roasted yucca stalks, sautéed yucca flowers and eggs, tempura battered yucca flowers, yucca hot chocolate…

      Fruit can be used raw or cooked, stems can be cooked like asparagus. Use flowers when they are young and ripe.

      It might not have survived the edit, but cordage on par with hemp can be made from the leaves. Roots can be used for soap. 

      Broadleaf Cattail- Typha Latifolia 

      Cattail: related to corn, nature’s breadbasket, just an incredible plant that deserves a second look. You might have trouble growing it at home, but might be a good excuse to make a pond scape, bog garden, or sink your kid’s neglected wading pool into the ground and making a cattail garden. 

      • Can be used to make imitation pulled pork. Cattail Fluff Pulled Pork. You might get a Michelin star from this stuff. Prairie to Table. 
      • Cattail Pollen Spaghetti; I’m seriously not making this stuff up. Not only does the pollen turn the pasta bright canary yellow it also adds 17% of your daily protein. 
      
      

      Bob is again asking you to read Kay Young’s Wild Seasons and also find out who Euell Gibbons is. 

      Just do it. 

      Kay Young Wild Seasons

      Euell Gibbons

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • You can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>546de498-7019-4902-84b2-a20f363b8480Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -050001:12:37falsefull111111Prairies, Pragmatism, and Pollinators with Benjamin VogtPrairies, Pragmatism, and Pollinators- Discussing Prairie Up with Benjamin Vogt

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Prairies, Pragmatism, and Pollinators, we chat with Benjamin Vogt of Monarch Gardens about reconciliation ecology, the humble dandelion, and messy landscapes.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Benjamin Vogt

      Benjamin Vogt is owner of the prairie-inspired design firm Monarch Gardens. He is author of the best-selling books A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future, as well as Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design. Benjamin's design work has been featured in The American Gardener, Dwell, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Midwest Living, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Through his business he offers a variety of resources such as consulting, design, online classes, webinars, garden guides, articles, and more. 

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      The new book of Benjamin's we talk about:

      Benjamin Vogt- Prairie Up

      Follow Milk The Weed on Facebook

      Make America prairie again- or at the very least feel good as that phrase floats through your brain.

      Milk The Weed https://www.facebook.com/MonarchGardensLLC

      Bringing the Prairie Home

      Bringing Nature Home- An idea championed by Tallamy that we can make hyper-local.

      Can we really bring the prairie home? No. But we can embrace the echo of what's been lost. Metal...

      Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy

      Why did it take people so long to care about native plants?

      Ben promises we won't regret reading his other book A New Garden Ethic

      But mostly people suck (we see gardens as ours but they are shared spaces!)

      Plant attributes

      Habit, lifespan, wildlife support, bloom time, etc. etc. Think of how these qualities will work together, not just in and of themselves.

      Floral fidelity

      Bees have an easier go when you plant in masses and drifts. Help a hardworking worker bee out!

      A Garden Perpetually in Bloom

      But Ben wants you to know how much especially likes fall and how much he especially dislikes the chiggers of summer.

      For real though, do dandelions really need saving?

      To read Ben's blog post in depth on this, click here:

      And yes, as promised Ben even made this shirt:

      HOAS

      If you live in one, you'll have some boot polishing to do.

      Just remember to be nice! And remember we are trying to win favor, not incite the pitchforks!

      "Cues to care"

      via Joan Nassauer- long pathways, benches, sculptures, and educational signs. Your gazillion pink flamingos may not count.

      These are visual reminders that our gardens are not weedy, neglected areas. Just make sure your garden isn't really weedy.

      Garden layers

      Because we don't need to continue to spend money on mulch dyed 50 shades of the rainbow.

      The matrix

      Not the Keanu variety, the garden variety. Planting in layers on a grid so that annual weed competition stays to a minimum. And a way to yet again mimic natural spaces.

      Maintenance, schmaitenence. Isn't site prep for squares?

      No! Success is all about how you maintain. Weeds are where we get into trouble.

      If you want an easier go at things, start small and plant in fall y'all.

      Thank you for listening! And thank you to Benjamin for being with us!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>Prairies, Pragmatism, and Pollinators- Discussing Prairie Up with Benjamin Vogt

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Prairies, Pragmatism, and Pollinators, we chat with Benjamin Vogt of Monarch Gardens about reconciliation ecology, the humble dandelion, and messy landscapes.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Benjamin Vogt

      Benjamin Vogt is owner of the prairie-inspired design firm Monarch Gardens. He is author of the best-selling books A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future, as well as Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design. Benjamin's design work has been featured in The American Gardener, Dwell, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Midwest Living, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Through his business he offers a variety of resources such as consulting, design, online classes, webinars, garden guides, articles, and more. 

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      The new book of Benjamin's we talk about:

      Benjamin Vogt- Prairie Up

      Follow Milk The Weed on Facebook

      Make America prairie again- or at the very least feel good as that phrase floats through your brain.

      Milk The Weed https://www.facebook.com/MonarchGardensLLC

      Bringing the Prairie Home

      Bringing Nature Home- An idea championed by Tallamy that we can make hyper-local.

      Can we really bring the prairie home? No. But we can embrace the echo of what's been lost. Metal...

      Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy

      Why did it take people so long to care about native plants?

      Ben promises we won't regret reading his other book A New Garden Ethic

      But mostly people suck (we see gardens as ours but they are shared spaces!)

      Plant attributes

      Habit, lifespan, wildlife support, bloom time, etc. etc. Think of how these qualities will work together, not just in and of themselves.

      Floral fidelity

      Bees have an easier go when you plant in masses and drifts. Help a hardworking worker bee out!

      A Garden Perpetually in Bloom

      But Ben wants you to know how much especially likes fall and how much he especially dislikes the chiggers of summer.

      For real though, do dandelions really need saving?

      To read Ben's blog post in depth on this, click here:

      And yes, as promised Ben even made this shirt:

      HOAS

      If you live in one, you'll have some boot polishing to do.

      Just remember to be nice! And remember we are trying to win favor, not incite the pitchforks!

      "Cues to care"

      via Joan Nassauer- long pathways, benches, sculptures, and educational signs. Your gazillion pink flamingos may not count.

      These are visual reminders that our gardens are not weedy, neglected areas. Just make sure your garden isn't really weedy.

      Garden layers

      Because we don't need to continue to spend money on mulch dyed 50 shades of the rainbow.

      The matrix

      Not the Keanu variety, the garden variety. Planting in layers on a grid so that annual weed competition stays to a minimum. And a way to yet again mimic natural spaces.

      Maintenance, schmaitenence. Isn't site prep for squares?

      No! Success is all about how you maintain. Weeds are where we get into trouble.

      If you want an easier go at things, start small and plant in fall y'all.

      Thank you for listening! And thank you to Benjamin for being with us!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>aacb1a0c-6b2c-4334-8d10-d53a088194e7Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -050058:33falsefull110101Native Edible Plants Part One: Wildflower Teas with Bob HenricksonNative Edible Plants Part One: Wildflower Teas

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part One: Wildflower Teas, we go over some benefits of homegrown food, what native prairie plants make interesting and excellent herbal teas, some extra benefits these plants provide.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Why should Nebraskans grow food at home? Can't we just eat corn and hamburgers and guzzle it down with our favorite sugary death trap?

      There are many benefits to growing native Nebraska plants for food:

      • Access to foods high in nutrition value
      • Wide range of food options from diversely planted gardens give us rich diversity in diet
      • Other health benefits of native plants
      • Furthering the food movement
      • Endless Forage
      • Free
      • Gathering feels earned
      • Also (we didn't mentioned this in the episode but should have,) food gathered at home is FRESH. It hasn't been picked underripe, packaged, and shipped thousands of miles to you. It's the original farm-to-table.
      
      

      Bob wants you to read Wild Seasons by Kay Young

      Just go read it.

      Harvest tea plants in their bud and flower stage, preferably under a full moon.

      Apparently, the moon energy that causes ocean tides also has an effect on plant potency. Makes sense and also makes us sound like druids.

      Tea plants! Because who doesn't like fancy home-brewed wildflower tea?

      • Achillea Millefolium AKA Common or Western Yarrow
      
      

      Bob says this tea isn't particularly tasty, but this is one for food adventurists to try. The Blackfoot tribe made a tea from the leaves and flowers. It's a ready self seeder so you will have this everywhere at some point. Great compliment to other colorful natives you will have in your garden. Also great for wound healing.

      • Monarda Fistulosa AKA Wild Beebalm or Wild Bergamot
      
      

      Leaves, shoots, and flowers are edible. Monarda has thymol in it- which is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. The flower is majestic in the garden and looks great planted next to anything in a different color.

      • Amorpha Canescens AKA Leadplant
      
      

      Leaves make a tea, flower itself a beauty to add to the native collection. Purple flowers tinged with orange, interesting greyish foliage. Boil leaves in water and simmer for 20 minutes. Use 1 tbsp dried leaves per one cup of water. Strain and sweeten with honey or sugar if you like.

      • Ceanothus Americanus AKA New Jersey Tea
      
      

      Leaves used to make tea by so many tribes: Lakota, Ponca, Winnebago, Omaha, Pawnee, Dakota. Mild and tasty tea

      • Solidago Odora AKA Sweet Goldenrod
      
      

      Awesome looking goldenrod, maybe the best looking goldenrod out there. Only regionally native to southern Missouri. Leaves used to make historical Liberty Tea (Think Boston Tea Party.)

      • Dalea Purpurea AKA Purple Prairie Clover
      
      

      Navajo used this prairie clover's leaves to make a tea, supposedly "makes the finest of prairie teas." It's one of the cutest little ground covers you can grow and apparently the stems can be used to make brooms. Who knew?

      • Echinacea Purpurea AKA Purple Coneflower
      
      

      This one was used more medically historically but echinacea is found in teas often for its health properties. Gorgeous, long-blooming flower. They even look good when the tops turn brown and black in the fall. Watch out for aster yellows when the flower heads are mature but look like green leaves instead of purple petals or flower parts.

      • Agastache Foeniculum AKA Anise Hyssop
      
      

      Leaves smell like licorice and the pollinators love the sweet, pale lavender flowers. Makes a tasty tea. Make a cold brew by grabbing some fresh leaves, plopping in a pitcher, and letting steep in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you don't like the smell of licorice you aren't human!

      • Pycanthemum Virginianum AKA Virginia Mountain Mint
      
      

      Another member of the mint family. Makes a delicious cold brew tea also. Break out your pitchers, people, and harvest some mint!

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • You can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany https://amzn.to/3tdCLK7
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! Native Edible Plants Part One: Wildflower Teas

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Native Edible Plants Part One: Wildflower Teas, we go over some benefits of homegrown food, what native prairie plants make interesting and excellent herbal teas, some extra benefits these plants provide.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Why should Nebraskans grow food at home? Can't we just eat corn and hamburgers and guzzle it down with our favorite sugary death trap?

      There are many benefits to growing native Nebraska plants for food:

      • Access to foods high in nutrition value
      • Wide range of food options from diversely planted gardens give us rich diversity in diet
      • Other health benefits of native plants
      • Furthering the food movement
      • Endless Forage
      • Free
      • Gathering feels earned
      • Also (we didn't mentioned this in the episode but should have,) food gathered at home is FRESH. It hasn't been picked underripe, packaged, and shipped thousands of miles to you. It's the original farm-to-table.
      
      

      Bob wants you to read Wild Seasons by Kay Young

      Just go read it.

      Harvest tea plants in their bud and flower stage, preferably under a full moon.

      Apparently, the moon energy that causes ocean tides also has an effect on plant potency. Makes sense and also makes us sound like druids.

      Tea plants! Because who doesn't like fancy home-brewed wildflower tea?

      • Achillea Millefolium AKA Common or Western Yarrow
      
      

      Bob says this tea isn't particularly tasty, but this is one for food adventurists to try. The Blackfoot tribe made a tea from the leaves and flowers. It's a ready self seeder so you will have this everywhere at some point. Great compliment to other colorful natives you will have in your garden. Also great for wound healing.

      • Monarda Fistulosa AKA Wild Beebalm or Wild Bergamot
      
      

      Leaves, shoots, and flowers are edible. Monarda has thymol in it- which is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. The flower is majestic in the garden and looks great planted next to anything in a different color.

      • Amorpha Canescens AKA Leadplant
      
      

      Leaves make a tea, flower itself a beauty to add to the native collection. Purple flowers tinged with orange, interesting greyish foliage. Boil leaves in water and simmer for 20 minutes. Use 1 tbsp dried leaves per one cup of water. Strain and sweeten with honey or sugar if you like.

      • Ceanothus Americanus AKA New Jersey Tea
      
      

      Leaves used to make tea by so many tribes: Lakota, Ponca, Winnebago, Omaha, Pawnee, Dakota. Mild and tasty tea

      • Solidago Odora AKA Sweet Goldenrod
      
      

      Awesome looking goldenrod, maybe the best looking goldenrod out there. Only regionally native to southern Missouri. Leaves used to make historical Liberty Tea (Think Boston Tea Party.)

      • Dalea Purpurea AKA Purple Prairie Clover
      
      

      Navajo used this prairie clover's leaves to make a tea, supposedly "makes the finest of prairie teas." It's one of the cutest little ground covers you can grow and apparently the stems can be used to make brooms. Who knew?

      • Echinacea Purpurea AKA Purple Coneflower
      
      

      This one was used more medically historically but echinacea is found in teas often for its health properties. Gorgeous, long-blooming flower. They even look good when the tops turn brown and black in the fall. Watch out for aster yellows when the flower heads are mature but look like green leaves instead of purple petals or flower parts.

      • Agastache Foeniculum AKA Anise Hyssop
      
      

      Leaves smell like licorice and the pollinators love the sweet, pale lavender flowers. Makes a tasty tea. Make a cold brew by grabbing some fresh leaves, plopping in a pitcher, and letting steep in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you don't like the smell of licorice you aren't human!

      • Pycanthemum Virginianum AKA Virginia Mountain Mint
      
      

      Another member of the mint family. Makes a delicious cold brew tea also. Break out your pitchers, people, and harvest some mint!

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • You can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany https://amzn.to/3tdCLK7
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>94f14dfe-882b-4caa-b982-089c88a1b271Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -050059:46falsefull1991Demystifying the Native Shade Garden with Host Stephanie BarelmanDemystifying the Native Shade Garden

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Demystifying the Native Shade Garden, we go over why we don't need to rely on exotics for these spaces and some native Nebraska plant choices you can inject for some habitat value and beauty in low light areas.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Go back and catch up on old episodes

      -PLEASE PLEASE listen to Episode 1 if you haven't already which gives you a primer on what native plants even are, link here

      Don't use exotic standbys for shade, go native!

      Does the American garden need more hydrangeas, hostas, exotic ferns, lamium, astilbe, lily of the valley? No! While this is basically all that was available to the consumer for decades, it is not the truth (at all!) of what can be grown in totality here in the Midwest.

      Native plant gardens create habitat!

      Say it with us: back-yard-con-serv-ation.

      Exotic plants are:

      • expensive- require teams to engineer and zhuzh
      • freakishly small- but seriously why is everything 2 feet or under
      • alien in terms of form and color- double coneflowers? all the colors of the rainbow? yeah, probably not good for pollinators.
      
      

      WHAT YOU CAN PLANT IN FULL SHADE (not a complete list, just ideas people)

      • Snakeroot- wild and delicate (just like my daughter,) white blooms, found in the wild virtually everywhere here
      • American Columbine- sweet little red and yellow bell shaped flowers, attracts hummingbirds
      • poke milkweed- yes, a shade milkweed for monarchs!
      • sweet Joe pye- tall, gorgeous, fragrant, unusual (like my husband)
      • wild blue phlox divaricata- amazing blue in nature, graceful, looks good everywhere
      • the Solomon's- (Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume, starry Solomon's plume) tasteful, traditional looking, will not offend your nana's sensibilities
      • wild garlic- sweet and unassuming native allium, allium canadense
      • goldenrods- zig zag goldenrod, elm leaf goldenrod, regionally native blue stemmed goldenrod; at the end of the day you really can't have too many goldenrods
      • asters- heart leaf aster(you really won't regret planting this one,) Drummond's aster
      • mint- wild mint, smells heavenly, but might be the only plant you need in the right space, keep it under control and all is well in the world
      • sedges- carex brevior (Ben Vogt doesn't like this one but Christina Musgrave and I think it's cool,) carex eburnea, carex sprengelii
      • grasses- bottlebrush grass (even your baby thinks it looks cool,) silky wild rye
      • spring ephemerals- jack in the pulpit, bloodroot, dutchman's breeches (forgot this one in the episode, so bonus for you if you are reading)
      • groundcovers- wild ginger (awesome, a must have,) common blue violet (who doesn't like edibles,) wild strawberry (again, not mock strawberry, very different,) wild geranium ( finally, a native geranium!) and mayapple.
      
      

      PERENNIALS FOR DAPPLED OR LIGHT SHADE

      • anise hyssop ( smells like licorice and looks just peachy)
      • allium cernuum (autocorrect really really wanted to change this spelling)
      • dogbane (no, it is not good for dogs that eat everything)
      • penstemon-digitalis, showy penstemon, really any native or regionally native penstemon
      • mountain mint- any of the native mountain mints: hairy, Virginia, common; truly a pollinator delight
      • golden Alexander- hearty perennial, the lion of the garden, profuse blooming golden umbrels that will cheer your spirits
      
      

      SHRUBS FOR THE SHADE GARDEN

      • prairie ninebark
      • elderberry- fantastically perfect wonder shrub that will give you jams and medicinal berries for days (just cook them first), flowers can also be used to make elderberry wine
      • coralberry-attractive, berry generating shrub that will attract birds to your yarden
      • buttonbush- supposedly not for shade according to "thee literature," but likes my shade jussssst fine
      
      

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • This isn't discussed in the episode but you can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany https://amzn.to/3YCAIt3
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      See us at local events!

      Chat with Stephanie and learn more at four upcoming events:

      -Benson Bounty Pollinator Party Jul 24th 10am-1pm 6915 Evans Street Omaha https://www.bensonbounty.com/newsandevents

      -The Home-Grown Micro Prairie Jul 06, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM City Sprouts North, 4002 Seward St, Omaha, NE Today's podcast is the basis for this talk but we will go more in depth in some areas and there will be a visual powerpoint to go with it. Plus there is a Q&A afterward and materials to take home. Sign up here!

      -Mulhall's Wild Plant Party July 22nd from 10am-2pm. This event isn't yet posted online, so keep an eye here to RSVP

      -Bellevue 2nd Annual Pollinator Party hosted by Bellevue Native Plant Society and Bellevue Public Library July 29th from 10am-1pm

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! Demystifying the Native Shade Garden

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, Demystifying the Native Shade Garden, we go over why we don't need to rely on exotics for these spaces and some native Nebraska plant choices you can inject for some habitat value and beauty in low light areas.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Go back and catch up on old episodes

      -PLEASE PLEASE listen to Episode 1 if you haven't already which gives you a primer on what native plants even are, link here

      Don't use exotic standbys for shade, go native!

      Does the American garden need more hydrangeas, hostas, exotic ferns, lamium, astilbe, lily of the valley? No! While this is basically all that was available to the consumer for decades, it is not the truth (at all!) of what can be grown in totality here in the Midwest.

      Native plant gardens create habitat!

      Say it with us: back-yard-con-serv-ation.

      Exotic plants are:

      • expensive- require teams to engineer and zhuzh
      • freakishly small- but seriously why is everything 2 feet or under
      • alien in terms of form and color- double coneflowers? all the colors of the rainbow? yeah, probably not good for pollinators.
      
      

      WHAT YOU CAN PLANT IN FULL SHADE (not a complete list, just ideas people)

      • Snakeroot- wild and delicate (just like my daughter,) white blooms, found in the wild virtually everywhere here
      • American Columbine- sweet little red and yellow bell shaped flowers, attracts hummingbirds
      • poke milkweed- yes, a shade milkweed for monarchs!
      • sweet Joe pye- tall, gorgeous, fragrant, unusual (like my husband)
      • wild blue phlox divaricata- amazing blue in nature, graceful, looks good everywhere
      • the Solomon's- (Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume, starry Solomon's plume) tasteful, traditional looking, will not offend your nana's sensibilities
      • wild garlic- sweet and unassuming native allium, allium canadense
      • goldenrods- zig zag goldenrod, elm leaf goldenrod, regionally native blue stemmed goldenrod; at the end of the day you really can't have too many goldenrods
      • asters- heart leaf aster(you really won't regret planting this one,) Drummond's aster
      • mint- wild mint, smells heavenly, but might be the only plant you need in the right space, keep it under control and all is well in the world
      • sedges- carex brevior (Ben Vogt doesn't like this one but Christina Musgrave and I think it's cool,) carex eburnea, carex sprengelii
      • grasses- bottlebrush grass (even your baby thinks it looks cool,) silky wild rye
      • spring ephemerals- jack in the pulpit, bloodroot, dutchman's breeches (forgot this one in the episode, so bonus for you if you are reading)
      • groundcovers- wild ginger (awesome, a must have,) common blue violet (who doesn't like edibles,) wild strawberry (again, not mock strawberry, very different,) wild geranium ( finally, a native geranium!) and mayapple.
      
      

      PERENNIALS FOR DAPPLED OR LIGHT SHADE

      • anise hyssop ( smells like licorice and looks just peachy)
      • allium cernuum (autocorrect really really wanted to change this spelling)
      • dogbane (no, it is not good for dogs that eat everything)
      • penstemon-digitalis, showy penstemon, really any native or regionally native penstemon
      • mountain mint- any of the native mountain mints: hairy, Virginia, common; truly a pollinator delight
      • golden Alexander- hearty perennial, the lion of the garden, profuse blooming golden umbrels that will cheer your spirits
      
      

      SHRUBS FOR THE SHADE GARDEN

      • prairie ninebark
      • elderberry- fantastically perfect wonder shrub that will give you jams and medicinal berries for days (just cook them first), flowers can also be used to make elderberry wine
      • coralberry-attractive, berry generating shrub that will attract birds to your yarden
      • buttonbush- supposedly not for shade according to "thee literature," but likes my shade jussssst fine
      
      

      BONUS: Edible, medicinal, utilitarian qualities of these plants!

      • This isn't discussed in the episode but you can find some really wonderful ways to use these plants for your own benefit! Ideas here: Daniel Moerman Native American Ethnobotany https://amzn.to/3YCAIt3
      
      

      Thank you for listening!

      -Stephanie

      See us at local events!

      Chat with Stephanie and learn more at four upcoming events:

      -Benson Bounty Pollinator Party Jul 24th 10am-1pm 6915 Evans Street Omaha https://www.bensonbounty.com/newsandevents

      -The Home-Grown Micro Prairie Jul 06, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM City Sprouts North, 4002 Seward St, Omaha, NE Today's podcast is the basis for this talk but we will go more in depth in some areas and there will be a visual powerpoint to go with it. Plus there is a Q&A afterward and materials to take home. Sign up here!

      -Mulhall's Wild Plant Party July 22nd from 10am-2pm. This event isn't yet posted online, so keep an eye here to RSVP

      -Bellevue 2nd Annual Pollinator Party hosted by Bellevue Native Plant Society and Bellevue Public Library July 29th from 10am-1pm

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>fa9f5d13-176f-4c1a-b449-94af3b5cfb95Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -050042:46falsefull1881The DIY Prairie Garden with Host Stephanie BarelmanTHE DIY PRAIRIE GARDEN

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, The DIY Prairie Garden, we go over a short breakdown of what a prairie is, some unique medicinal and edible qualities of native prairie plants, how to site prep, and what plants and grasses to use in your very own meadowscape.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Go back and catch up on old episodes

      -PLEASE PLEASE listen to Episode 1 if you haven't already which gives you a primer on what native plants even are, link here

      -Episode 2 is also helpful link here

      Understand that a prairie is an ecosystem, one that we've killed off

      Like the idea of a wildflower meadow? We do too. And Nebraska was naturally a wildflower meadow before the Waltons, Big Ag, and developers had their way. Something like 99% of the original prairie is gone. Very sad deal, and a compelling reason to ditch your lawn for native plants.

      Not all prairies are created equal

      Different ecoregions, different plants. See here

      In short, you have: tall grass prairie, shortgrass prairie, mixed grass prairie depending on geography and subdivisions of mesic prairie, dry prairie, and wet prairie depending on elevation and nearby proximity to water.

      Also, prairie ecosystems extend into Colorado, Minnesota, south towards Texas, or even further east into Indiana. There's plants that have residency in different parts of this range and what's wonderful is we can have uniquely beautiful and beneficial Nebraska gardens and what that looks like in Scottsbluff, Lincoln, and Omaha can have slight differences between them.

      Our focus: Tallgrass Prairie 

      I am obviously bias, hailing from the Omaha area. But you can find links to shortgrass and mixed grass ideas here:

      Some of the inspiration for today's chat on tallgrass prairie:

      • UNL publication
      • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
      
      

      Shortgrass:

      here, here(scroll down to shortgrass prairie section,) and here. For this last one, scroll down to a tab menu and select components to see plant species.

      Mixed Grass:

      here, here, and here.

      Why should we even bother planting a naturalistic landscape?

      • Beautiful meadows aren’t just for Europe. Nope, beauty can be homegrown. It doesn't need to be exotic, people.
      • You are providing habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife! You are fighting the food desert establishment! You are making much necessary scientific research possible in your own backyard! Need I say more?
      • Pollination? Your garden's got it covered!
      • Sprinkler system? Nope your garden won't need it! Just a little supplemental water here and there and we're good!
      • Mowing is so 1990, let's just put it in the past where it belongs...
      • You will have very little weeding time down the road- that being said: MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN! Once a month, which is literally less time than you devote to people you really don't like, things you don't really want to do, etc. So you can give one instance a month of not-self care to your garden after it is established. Really, you can do it. We believe in you!
      • Also, you are hoarding a decent amount of carbon below ground. Carbon bouncing around in the air since some people just have to have their pickup trucks and climate change.
      
      

      What are some unique reasons for planting a prairie garden?

      • You can forage your own prairie for wild edibles. Bob and I talked a little about this in Episode 3 of the podcast. We have plants with:
      
      

      -Edible berries: chokecherry, elderberry, wild strawberry

      -Edible flowers- violets, elderberry, yucca

      -Edible fruit: American plum, fragrant and smooth sumac

      -Plants that make great teas, so you can truly spill the tea: wild bergamot, lead plant, echinacea

      There are hundreds of plants with edible parts native to the midwest. Just always double check if any of the plant parts are poisonous or if the flowers or fruit need to be COOKED before it’s consumed

      • You can harvest plant material from your own meadow garden to use for natural dyes. Wildflower tie dyes anyone?
      
      

      -Coreopsis, goldenrod, Indian blanket, butterfly milkweed and many more

      • You can grow medicine in your garden.
      
      

      -elderberry, Carolina gernanium, sweetgrass, New England aster

      • You can grow prairie plants that can be used in basket weaving:
      
      

      -sweetgrass, sumac, Virginia creeper, big bluestem, rattlesnake master, and dogwood

      PRETTY COOL, HUH? Check out these two books here and here for more ideas on native plant usefulness.

      How does one site prep exactly? What does that even mean?

      https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/site-prep= pro tips

      In short, remove with sod cutter, spade and plant in with an optional one time application of shredded mulch around plants OR kill off a larger area with short lived herbicide and plant directly in OR close mow area and then solarize/ smother with plastic or cardboard for a few series of weeks (think 5 smother, 1 uncover; 5 smother, 1 uncover; five smother, 1 uncover, plant)

      Strategic Mowing

      Yes, after you have planted the garden. You can mow to mimic fire to control weeds and prevent saplings from taking over your prairiescape.

      Please follow some professional directions and don't deviate. If you mow at the wrong time, it could really mess with the plants.

      PLANTS FOR A DRY, FULL SUN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE GARDEN 

      • 60 to 80 percent grasses
      
      

      -TALLGRASS: MAIN GRASSES INDIANGRASS, BIG BLUESTEM, SWITCHGRASS

      WORK IN SIDE OATS GRAMA, BLUE GRAMA, PURPLE LOVEGRASS, CANADA WILD RYE, PRAIRIE DROPSEED, LITTLE BLUESTEM,

      -SEDGES: CAREX BREVIOR, FOX SEDGE

      • 20-40 PERCENT WILDFLOWERS
      
      

      -A TON OF OPTIONS AND EVEN MORE OUT THERE: DOGSBANE, BUTTERFLY MILKWEED, PLAINS MILKWEED, SULLIVANT’S MILKWEED, WESTERN YARROW, HEATH ASTER, NEW ENGLAND ASTER, HAIRY GOLDEN ASTER, PLAINS COREOPSIS, DAISY FLEABANE, PURPLE CONEFLOWER, SAWTOOTH SUNFLOWER, JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, THICK SPIKE LIATRIS, GRAY HEADED CONEFLOWER, BLACK EYED SUSAN, ROSINWEED, CANADA GOLDENROD, MISSOURI GOLDENROD, BALDWIN’S IRONWEED, PARTRIDGE PEA, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE PLANT, PRAIRIE SPIDERWORT, OHIO SPIDERWORT, FLOWERING SPURGE, GROUND PLUM, PLAINS WILD INDIGO, ROUND HEADED BUSH CLOVER, WHITE AND...]]>THE DIY PRAIRIE GARDEN

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, The DIY Prairie Garden, we go over a short breakdown of what a prairie is, some unique medicinal and edible qualities of native prairie plants, how to site prep, and what plants and grasses to use in your very own meadowscape.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Go back and catch up on old episodes

      -PLEASE PLEASE listen to Episode 1 if you haven't already which gives you a primer on what native plants even are, link here

      -Episode 2 is also helpful link here

      Understand that a prairie is an ecosystem, one that we've killed off

      Like the idea of a wildflower meadow? We do too. And Nebraska was naturally a wildflower meadow before the Waltons, Big Ag, and developers had their way. Something like 99% of the original prairie is gone. Very sad deal, and a compelling reason to ditch your lawn for native plants.

      Not all prairies are created equal

      Different ecoregions, different plants. See here

      In short, you have: tall grass prairie, shortgrass prairie, mixed grass prairie depending on geography and subdivisions of mesic prairie, dry prairie, and wet prairie depending on elevation and nearby proximity to water.

      Also, prairie ecosystems extend into Colorado, Minnesota, south towards Texas, or even further east into Indiana. There's plants that have residency in different parts of this range and what's wonderful is we can have uniquely beautiful and beneficial Nebraska gardens and what that looks like in Scottsbluff, Lincoln, and Omaha can have slight differences between them.

      Our focus: Tallgrass Prairie 

      I am obviously bias, hailing from the Omaha area. But you can find links to shortgrass and mixed grass ideas here:

      Some of the inspiration for today's chat on tallgrass prairie:

      • UNL publication
      • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
      
      

      Shortgrass:

      here, here(scroll down to shortgrass prairie section,) and here. For this last one, scroll down to a tab menu and select components to see plant species.

      Mixed Grass:

      here, here, and here.

      Why should we even bother planting a naturalistic landscape?

      • Beautiful meadows aren’t just for Europe. Nope, beauty can be homegrown. It doesn't need to be exotic, people.
      • You are providing habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife! You are fighting the food desert establishment! You are making much necessary scientific research possible in your own backyard! Need I say more?
      • Pollination? Your garden's got it covered!
      • Sprinkler system? Nope your garden won't need it! Just a little supplemental water here and there and we're good!
      • Mowing is so 1990, let's just put it in the past where it belongs...
      • You will have very little weeding time down the road- that being said: MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN! Once a month, which is literally less time than you devote to people you really don't like, things you don't really want to do, etc. So you can give one instance a month of not-self care to your garden after it is established. Really, you can do it. We believe in you!
      • Also, you are hoarding a decent amount of carbon below ground. Carbon bouncing around in the air since some people just have to have their pickup trucks and climate change.
      
      

      What are some unique reasons for planting a prairie garden?

      • You can forage your own prairie for wild edibles. Bob and I talked a little about this in Episode 3 of the podcast. We have plants with:
      
      

      -Edible berries: chokecherry, elderberry, wild strawberry

      -Edible flowers- violets, elderberry, yucca

      -Edible fruit: American plum, fragrant and smooth sumac

      -Plants that make great teas, so you can truly spill the tea: wild bergamot, lead plant, echinacea

      There are hundreds of plants with edible parts native to the midwest. Just always double check if any of the plant parts are poisonous or if the flowers or fruit need to be COOKED before it’s consumed

      • You can harvest plant material from your own meadow garden to use for natural dyes. Wildflower tie dyes anyone?
      
      

      -Coreopsis, goldenrod, Indian blanket, butterfly milkweed and many more

      • You can grow medicine in your garden.
      
      

      -elderberry, Carolina gernanium, sweetgrass, New England aster

      • You can grow prairie plants that can be used in basket weaving:
      
      

      -sweetgrass, sumac, Virginia creeper, big bluestem, rattlesnake master, and dogwood

      PRETTY COOL, HUH? Check out these two books here and here for more ideas on native plant usefulness.

      How does one site prep exactly? What does that even mean?

      https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/site-prep= pro tips

      In short, remove with sod cutter, spade and plant in with an optional one time application of shredded mulch around plants OR kill off a larger area with short lived herbicide and plant directly in OR close mow area and then solarize/ smother with plastic or cardboard for a few series of weeks (think 5 smother, 1 uncover; 5 smother, 1 uncover; five smother, 1 uncover, plant)

      Strategic Mowing

      Yes, after you have planted the garden. You can mow to mimic fire to control weeds and prevent saplings from taking over your prairiescape.

      Please follow some professional directions and don't deviate. If you mow at the wrong time, it could really mess with the plants.

      PLANTS FOR A DRY, FULL SUN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE GARDEN 

      • 60 to 80 percent grasses
      
      

      -TALLGRASS: MAIN GRASSES INDIANGRASS, BIG BLUESTEM, SWITCHGRASS

      WORK IN SIDE OATS GRAMA, BLUE GRAMA, PURPLE LOVEGRASS, CANADA WILD RYE, PRAIRIE DROPSEED, LITTLE BLUESTEM,

      -SEDGES: CAREX BREVIOR, FOX SEDGE

      • 20-40 PERCENT WILDFLOWERS
      
      

      -A TON OF OPTIONS AND EVEN MORE OUT THERE: DOGSBANE, BUTTERFLY MILKWEED, PLAINS MILKWEED, SULLIVANT’S MILKWEED, WESTERN YARROW, HEATH ASTER, NEW ENGLAND ASTER, HAIRY GOLDEN ASTER, PLAINS COREOPSIS, DAISY FLEABANE, PURPLE CONEFLOWER, SAWTOOTH SUNFLOWER, JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, THICK SPIKE LIATRIS, GRAY HEADED CONEFLOWER, BLACK EYED SUSAN, ROSINWEED, CANADA GOLDENROD, MISSOURI GOLDENROD, BALDWIN’S IRONWEED, PARTRIDGE PEA, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE PLANT, PRAIRIE SPIDERWORT, OHIO SPIDERWORT, FLOWERING SPURGE, GROUND PLUM, PLAINS WILD INDIGO, ROUND HEADED BUSH CLOVER, WHITE AND PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER, CAROLINA GERANIUM- SOURCED FROM PRAIRIE MOON, WILD BERGAMOT, LANCELEAF SAGE, WILD PETUNIA, ALLIUM STELLATUM, ALLIUM CANADENSE, PURPLE POPPY MALLOW, ILLINOIS BUNDLE FLOWER, LARGE FLOWERED GAURA, PRAIRIE PHLOX, PRAIRIE VIOLET, WILD STRAWBERRY, WHITE PRAIRIE SAGE, VERBENA STRICTA, COBEA SLENDER AND SHELL LEAF PENSTEMON, RATTLESNAKE MASTER

      • You can include SHRUBS (mimicking natural scrubland found on the outskirts of a prairie, great for a privacy screen!)
      
      

      -LEADPLANT(should and can also be included in the prairie garden itself,) SMOOTH SUMAC, SILKY DOGWOOD, AMORPHA FRUTICOSA, CHOKECHERRY, PRAIRIE ROSE, ROSA ARKANSANA, CORALBERRY 

      PRAIRIE INSECT PUBLICATIONS

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      PRAIRIE PLANT PUBLICATIONS

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum

      GARDENING WITH PRAIRIE PLANTS https://plantnebraska.org/file_download/inline/87b1360a-d3d6-43ba-be27-7adc8f1d50ec

      WHY WE LOVE PRAIRIE https://plantnebraska.org/file_download/inline/d4298e4c-cb9e-45db-b64f-c400b4668b85

      Prairie Legacy

      https://prairielegacyinc.com/planning-your-prairie/#planning-your-prairie

      Where to source plants and seed

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum- Spring Affair event in Lincoln

      Midwest Natives Nursery- Lincoln

      Great Plains Nursery

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>ec0b60c7-419e-4cba-96c4-828c84a316bdWed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -050039:37falsefull1771Our Weird Relationship with Insects with Guest Chris HelzerOur Wierd Relationship with Insects

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, we chat with Chris Helzer, director of science for the Nature Conservancy about our misconceptions surrounding bugs, some fascinating examples of bees, beetles, et al., and why we should merge beauty and utility in our gardens.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Chris Helzer

      Chris Helzer is Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and evaluates prairie management and restoration work. He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. Chris is author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications.  Chris and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Chris' photography

      -Check it out here:  https://prairieecologist.com/

      Land Management

      We need to be responsible stewards. Every landscape needs management to be its most efficient, especially since us humans have introduced invasive species to habitats. Land management people use tools like fire and methods to remove these invasive species to keep the land healthy.

      Bug Terror

      Only a few species round here are truly dangerous- think brown recluse, ticks, or disease carrying mosquitos. But Chris is really trying to let you know- they aren't out to get you. It's not all about you. I'm looking at you, Babs.

      Should sci-fi writers keep depicting aliens as insect-like?

      When we learn more about insects and we learn to tolerate them better, they stop being alien and they start being fascinating.

      Is it a bad characterization to label insects as either beneficial or pests?

      Yes! This is not only lazy but giving very incomplete info. Are we strictly divided into pools of bad and good people? No, of course not!

      Bugs are bugs. They are diverse and they provide diverse functions. Ignorance is why people want to file things into black and white categories. Don't be ignorant, Babs, it's not a good look for you.

      Misconceptions about bees and wasps

      They are not out to get you. Let's say it together: "THEY-ARE-NOT-OUT-TO-GET-YOU." Use that as your mantra at yoga tonight. It's probably the most meaningful thing we will tell you here on our podcast, and glab dannit, it's true.

      Attracting bees does not equal being stung.

      Wasps feed insects to young, they gorge on nectar for themselves.

      Most bees are solitary, very few bees are social. If you can have a heart for single moms, you can have a heart for hard-working momma bees.

      Fascinating insects

      Oil beetles- hitch a ride under disguise into enemy territory to feed their kids and win. Sad for the bees that fall prey, but awesome for science.

      Cudweed Grasshoppers- Did you know that grasshoppers ate grass? I sure didn't.

      Migrating butterflies and moths- Would you fly thousands of miles to get married and multiply? That's actually a bad example because they keep cranking out new seasons of Love is Blind, so apparently we would...

      Host Plants! Think milkweed is the only host plant? Think again! Chris discusses pasque flower, pitcher sage, prairie sage, and narrow leaf penstemon but there are thousands more of these kinds of relationships.

      Bugs Stephanie likes to see- mimic bees, goldenrod soldier beetles, ash mead's digger wasps or bent-shielded bieseiger wasps or whatever they actually are, I am stumped... the clear wing hummingbird moth, dragonflies, and sweet sweet buzzy bumblebees.

      Should I care about generalist insects and specialist insects?

      Yes! Ecosystems are made up of diverse populations of creatures and so planting a garden of various native wildflowers and grasses will cater to generalists who need diversity and also to specialists who need some of the specific plants you have planted.

      Can people really plant plants that attract bugs? Who would be crazy enough to do that?

      We are the crazies and we want you to be big flaming weirdos too! Pollinators are bugs, people. Yes, sometimes they are birds and bats. But most of them are bugs!

      Chris' recommendations for bug-attracting natives!

      Sunflowers- stiff, Maximilian, sawtooth, Jerusalem. Just know that perennial sunflowers are aggressive, okay bae? Give 'em some room and don't be mad when they make babies.

      Prairie clover- purple or white, take your pick

      Spiderwort- I someone to bring some over and forcibly plant them in my garden, because somehow I still haven't gotten any

      Flowering shrubs- redbud, serviceberry, sandcherry, native rose Rosa Carolina

      Swamp Milkweed- fragrant and not crazy, basically your ideal qualities in a life partner

      The mantra again

      Bugs are not out to get you.

      Thank you Chris, let's keep persuading people to rethink bugs!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park". Link to Nature's Best Hope book here:

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! Our Wierd Relationship with Insects

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode, we chat with Chris Helzer, director of science for the Nature Conservancy about our misconceptions surrounding bugs, some fascinating examples of bees, beetles, et al., and why we should merge beauty and utility in our gardens.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Chris Helzer

      Chris Helzer is Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and evaluates prairie management and restoration work. He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. Chris is author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications.  Chris and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Chris' photography

      -Check it out here:  https://prairieecologist.com/

      Land Management

      We need to be responsible stewards. Every landscape needs management to be its most efficient, especially since us humans have introduced invasive species to habitats. Land management people use tools like fire and methods to remove these invasive species to keep the land healthy.

      Bug Terror

      Only a few species round here are truly dangerous- think brown recluse, ticks, or disease carrying mosquitos. But Chris is really trying to let you know- they aren't out to get you. It's not all about you. I'm looking at you, Babs.

      Should sci-fi writers keep depicting aliens as insect-like?

      When we learn more about insects and we learn to tolerate them better, they stop being alien and they start being fascinating.

      Is it a bad characterization to label insects as either beneficial or pests?

      Yes! This is not only lazy but giving very incomplete info. Are we strictly divided into pools of bad and good people? No, of course not!

      Bugs are bugs. They are diverse and they provide diverse functions. Ignorance is why people want to file things into black and white categories. Don't be ignorant, Babs, it's not a good look for you.

      Misconceptions about bees and wasps

      They are not out to get you. Let's say it together: "THEY-ARE-NOT-OUT-TO-GET-YOU." Use that as your mantra at yoga tonight. It's probably the most meaningful thing we will tell you here on our podcast, and glab dannit, it's true.

      Attracting bees does not equal being stung.

      Wasps feed insects to young, they gorge on nectar for themselves.

      Most bees are solitary, very few bees are social. If you can have a heart for single moms, you can have a heart for hard-working momma bees.

      Fascinating insects

      Oil beetles- hitch a ride under disguise into enemy territory to feed their kids and win. Sad for the bees that fall prey, but awesome for science.

      Cudweed Grasshoppers- Did you know that grasshoppers ate grass? I sure didn't.

      Migrating butterflies and moths- Would you fly thousands of miles to get married and multiply? That's actually a bad example because they keep cranking out new seasons of Love is Blind, so apparently we would...

      Host Plants! Think milkweed is the only host plant? Think again! Chris discusses pasque flower, pitcher sage, prairie sage, and narrow leaf penstemon but there are thousands more of these kinds of relationships.

      Bugs Stephanie likes to see- mimic bees, goldenrod soldier beetles, ash mead's digger wasps or bent-shielded bieseiger wasps or whatever they actually are, I am stumped... the clear wing hummingbird moth, dragonflies, and sweet sweet buzzy bumblebees.

      Should I care about generalist insects and specialist insects?

      Yes! Ecosystems are made up of diverse populations of creatures and so planting a garden of various native wildflowers and grasses will cater to generalists who need diversity and also to specialists who need some of the specific plants you have planted.

      Can people really plant plants that attract bugs? Who would be crazy enough to do that?

      We are the crazies and we want you to be big flaming weirdos too! Pollinators are bugs, people. Yes, sometimes they are birds and bats. But most of them are bugs!

      Chris' recommendations for bug-attracting natives!

      Sunflowers- stiff, Maximilian, sawtooth, Jerusalem. Just know that perennial sunflowers are aggressive, okay bae? Give 'em some room and don't be mad when they make babies.

      Prairie clover- purple or white, take your pick

      Spiderwort- I someone to bring some over and forcibly plant them in my garden, because somehow I still haven't gotten any

      Flowering shrubs- redbud, serviceberry, sandcherry, native rose Rosa Carolina

      Swamp Milkweed- fragrant and not crazy, basically your ideal qualities in a life partner

      The mantra again

      Bugs are not out to get you.

      Thank you Chris, let's keep persuading people to rethink bugs!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park". Link to Nature's Best Hope book here:

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>e4123ff3-95c6-4770-8aa2-4728b17413e6Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 -050001:13:54falsefull1661Native Gardens, Happy Soil, and a Green Future with Dr. Tyler MooreNative Gardens, Happy Soil, and a Green Future

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we interview Dr. Tyler Moore, associate professor of biology at Bellevue University and President of Green Bellevue about how native gardens influence microbial soil communities, carbon sequestration, the photosynthesis you might have forgotten about since grade school, and your mother-in-law's turf grass. Come hang out with us as we talk some science.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Dr. Tyler Moore

      Tyler is a professor of biology at Bellevue University and current president of Green Bellevue. He received his bachelors degree in biology and his PhD in microbiology and molecular biology from UNL. He also completed a post -doctorate fellowship at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease.

      At BU, Tyler, students, and other faculty are using a recently-installed 10,000 square-foot native plant meadow to study how native plants contribute to campus biodiversity and to study adaptations of invertebrates in natural settings.

      He has co-authored many academic papers and his recent research we are talking about today is studying how native gardens impact the soil microbial community.

      Thank you, Tyler, for helping us provide some great content in today's talk!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Background for this chat:

      -The Academic Paper : Baldi, D.S., Humphrey, C.E., Kyndt, J.A. et al. Native plant gardens support more microbial diversity and higher relative abundance of potentially beneficial taxa compared to adjacent turf grass lawns. Urban Ecosyst (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-022-01325-5

      -Read an article about it here!

      Tyler's photography hobby

      -Check it out here:  https://www.natureamongus.com/ 

      Green Bellevue

      championing various green initiatives in Bellevue such as zero waste and increasing native habitat

      Sequencing

      It all sounds very science-y and beyond me but so very cool... Analyzing genetics of bacteria, you know, just your typical run-of-the-mill stuff.

      Is this an overwhelming topic?

      Yes, even for scientists.

      Why should we care about soil ecology?

      In short, planet Earth is cool. The basic functions of things that live in the ground make life on earth possible.

      Photosynthesis

      Remember grade school? All energy on earth begins with plants. Photosynthesis up and down through the trophic levels baby!

      Ok, so what did they even find out?

      Those native gardens that provide obvious support to the stuff we see: birds, moths, butterflies, bees, salamanders, dragonflies... also providing support to invisible communities under ground. Lovely, sweet bacteria. And there's way more diversity than even under the hippiest of hippy turf grasses. And more of these guys under ground = better nutrients, better carbon sequestering.

      Wait, carbon sequestering... what's that?!?!

      You know that greenhouse carbon dioxide floating in the air, plants can funnel that stuff underground. In fact, plants need carbon to survive. I kind of forgot all about carbon. Not gonna lie.

      Monocultures are bad

      They are unnatural and basically have only come around as a result of humans manipulating the planet.

      Mycelium

      Yes, I brought up fungi. Don't judge me.

      Again, what does soil research even mean for the native plants dialogue?

      Don't forget about the underground goings on when thinking what to do above ground. The evidence keeps pointing to planting native at being the most reasonable approach to preserving life on earth.

      Thank you Tyler, it was interesting, to say the least!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park". Link to Nature's Best Hope book here:

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>Native Gardens, Happy Soil, and a Green Future

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we interview Dr. Tyler Moore, associate professor of biology at Bellevue University and President of Green Bellevue about how native gardens influence microbial soil communities, carbon sequestration, the photosynthesis you might have forgotten about since grade school, and your mother-in-law's turf grass. Come hang out with us as we talk some science.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Dr. Tyler Moore

      Tyler is a professor of biology at Bellevue University and current president of Green Bellevue. He received his bachelors degree in biology and his PhD in microbiology and molecular biology from UNL. He also completed a post -doctorate fellowship at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease.

      At BU, Tyler, students, and other faculty are using a recently-installed 10,000 square-foot native plant meadow to study how native plants contribute to campus biodiversity and to study adaptations of invertebrates in natural settings.

      He has co-authored many academic papers and his recent research we are talking about today is studying how native gardens impact the soil microbial community.

      Thank you, Tyler, for helping us provide some great content in today's talk!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Background for this chat:

      -The Academic Paper : Baldi, D.S., Humphrey, C.E., Kyndt, J.A. et al. Native plant gardens support more microbial diversity and higher relative abundance of potentially beneficial taxa compared to adjacent turf grass lawns. Urban Ecosyst (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-022-01325-5

      -Read an article about it here!

      Tyler's photography hobby

      -Check it out here:  https://www.natureamongus.com/ 

      Green Bellevue

      championing various green initiatives in Bellevue such as zero waste and increasing native habitat

      Sequencing

      It all sounds very science-y and beyond me but so very cool... Analyzing genetics of bacteria, you know, just your typical run-of-the-mill stuff.

      Is this an overwhelming topic?

      Yes, even for scientists.

      Why should we care about soil ecology?

      In short, planet Earth is cool. The basic functions of things that live in the ground make life on earth possible.

      Photosynthesis

      Remember grade school? All energy on earth begins with plants. Photosynthesis up and down through the trophic levels baby!

      Ok, so what did they even find out?

      Those native gardens that provide obvious support to the stuff we see: birds, moths, butterflies, bees, salamanders, dragonflies... also providing support to invisible communities under ground. Lovely, sweet bacteria. And there's way more diversity than even under the hippiest of hippy turf grasses. And more of these guys under ground = better nutrients, better carbon sequestering.

      Wait, carbon sequestering... what's that?!?!

      You know that greenhouse carbon dioxide floating in the air, plants can funnel that stuff underground. In fact, plants need carbon to survive. I kind of forgot all about carbon. Not gonna lie.

      Monocultures are bad

      They are unnatural and basically have only come around as a result of humans manipulating the planet.

      Mycelium

      Yes, I brought up fungi. Don't judge me.

      Again, what does soil research even mean for the native plants dialogue?

      Don't forget about the underground goings on when thinking what to do above ground. The evidence keeps pointing to planting native at being the most reasonable approach to preserving life on earth.

      Thank you Tyler, it was interesting, to say the least!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park". Link to Nature's Best Hope book here:

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>ba92e03c-9dee-4241-b366-fe58d16d31cbTue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -050049:16falsefull1551Let's Talk Some Midwest Natives with Nathan DuffyLet's Talk Some Midwest Natives

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we interview Nathan Duffy, owner of Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln and dive into what native plants are low maintenance, what cold stratification is, his take on the native plants dialogue, and more!

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Nathan Duffy

      Nathan is the owner of Midwest Natives Nursery, a production and retail greenhouse operation in Lincoln, Nebraska that specializes in the sustainable cultivation of Great Plains-native perennial wildflowers and grasses. Nathan attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he graduated with a degree in Horticulture in 2018. Having become fascinated with native pollinators and wildflowers during his studies but noticing a lack of availability of such plants at local garden centers, he felt compelled to put his talents to good use and founded Midwest Natives Nursery that same year in order to share his passion and vision with the community.

      Thank you, Nathan, for helping us provide some great content in today's talk!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      -only native plants, no cultivars

      -a local, truly full-scale nursery with only occasional plant stock acquired elsewhere

      Why regionally native?

      State boundaries are arbitrary. Regionally is locally in many respects.

      Why doesn't Nathan sell more fall stuff?

      A lot of plants need colder temps to germinate. Spring plants often sell out and to have more for fall, it all has to be regrown again from seed. Now you know...

      Cold stratification? That sounds like something super science-y.

      A lot of seeds need certain conditions, like cold (winter) conditions, to germinate. Thus, throwing those babies in a wet, coffee filter and then a single-use plastic baggie we assure you we will reuse many, many times. Boiling, soaking, planting in milk jugs: us plant nerds know how to have fun. Find some detailed germination guides at www.prairiemoon.com.

      We want more than 300+ kinds of plants, Nathan. What gives?

      Nathan assures us he is going to try to produce woodland spring ephemerals and woody plants eventually, maybe, but my inner plant barometer says it still won't be enough plants.

      Easy plants to work with (may go anywhere for the ultimate lazy gardener.)

      Spring: golden Alexander, wild Columbine, wild geranium, wild strawberry

      Summer: purple coneflower, lanceleaf coreopsis, false sunflower, liatris, anise hyssop (smells legit, and don't quit.)

      Fall: heath aster, Missouri goldenrod ( short and not aggressive, basically the opposite of me)

      C'mon, are native plants really more low maintenance?

      -I didn't use spell check on maintenance twice, at all. And yes, yes they are.

      -The big deal: site prep and buying/planting the appropriate plants for the space

      How to install native gardens

      -get rid of turf grass by scalping the soil, top dress with a 2 inch layer of compost, and call it a day. I've always preferred scalping over herbicide but if you are doing a larger area, you're going to have to rent a sod cutter

      -plant densely

      -full instructions of Midwest Natives Nursery website https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      Where is Midwest Natives and when are they open?

      -They are located in the west side of Lincoln, NE near Pioneer's Boulevard

      -They DO deliver to Omaha...

      -They are open from May 6th to sometime in June (this year) and from Mid August to October. They are only open to the public on Saturdays.

      Will you participate in local events?

      Probably Mulhall's Wild Plant Party in mid-July and Bellevue Native Plant Society's Pollinator Party at the Bellevue Farmer's Market in Late July/August.

      What about using cultivars of native plants?

      Most cultivars aren't as good for wildlife because they have been altered. If you want cool colors, plant diversely. Instead of buying an artificially-achieved orange coneflower, plant orange butterfly milkweed, instead.

      Appreciate what is there and stop trying to make things what they aren't! Our two cents...

      Thank you Nathan, it was fun!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>Let's Talk Some Midwest Natives

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we interview Nathan Duffy, owner of Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln and dive into what native plants are low maintenance, what cold stratification is, his take on the native plants dialogue, and more!

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Nathan Duffy

      Nathan is the owner of Midwest Natives Nursery, a production and retail greenhouse operation in Lincoln, Nebraska that specializes in the sustainable cultivation of Great Plains-native perennial wildflowers and grasses. Nathan attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he graduated with a degree in Horticulture in 2018. Having become fascinated with native pollinators and wildflowers during his studies but noticing a lack of availability of such plants at local garden centers, he felt compelled to put his talents to good use and founded Midwest Natives Nursery that same year in order to share his passion and vision with the community.

      Thank you, Nathan, for helping us provide some great content in today's talk!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Midwest Natives Nursery

      -only native plants, no cultivars

      -a local, truly full-scale nursery with only occasional plant stock acquired elsewhere

      Why regionally native?

      State boundaries are arbitrary. Regionally is locally in many respects.

      Why doesn't Nathan sell more fall stuff?

      A lot of plants need colder temps to germinate. Spring plants often sell out and to have more for fall, it all has to be regrown again from seed. Now you know...

      Cold stratification? That sounds like something super science-y.

      A lot of seeds need certain conditions, like cold (winter) conditions, to germinate. Thus, throwing those babies in a wet, coffee filter and then a single-use plastic baggie we assure you we will reuse many, many times. Boiling, soaking, planting in milk jugs: us plant nerds know how to have fun. Find some detailed germination guides at www.prairiemoon.com.

      We want more than 300+ kinds of plants, Nathan. What gives?

      Nathan assures us he is going to try to produce woodland spring ephemerals and woody plants eventually, maybe, but my inner plant barometer says it still won't be enough plants.

      Easy plants to work with (may go anywhere for the ultimate lazy gardener.)

      Spring: golden Alexander, wild Columbine, wild geranium, wild strawberry

      Summer: purple coneflower, lanceleaf coreopsis, false sunflower, liatris, anise hyssop (smells legit, and don't quit.)

      Fall: heath aster, Missouri goldenrod ( short and not aggressive, basically the opposite of me)

      C'mon, are native plants really more low maintenance?

      -I didn't use spell check on maintenance twice, at all. And yes, yes they are.

      -The big deal: site prep and buying/planting the appropriate plants for the space

      How to install native gardens

      -get rid of turf grass by scalping the soil, top dress with a 2 inch layer of compost, and call it a day. I've always preferred scalping over herbicide but if you are doing a larger area, you're going to have to rent a sod cutter

      -plant densely

      -full instructions of Midwest Natives Nursery website https://www.midwestnativesnursery.com/

      Where is Midwest Natives and when are they open?

      -They are located in the west side of Lincoln, NE near Pioneer's Boulevard

      -They DO deliver to Omaha...

      -They are open from May 6th to sometime in June (this year) and from Mid August to October. They are only open to the public on Saturdays.

      Will you participate in local events?

      Probably Mulhall's Wild Plant Party in mid-July and Bellevue Native Plant Society's Pollinator Party at the Bellevue Farmer's Market in Late July/August.

      What about using cultivars of native plants?

      Most cultivars aren't as good for wildlife because they have been altered. If you want cool colors, plant diversely. Instead of buying an artificially-achieved orange coneflower, plant orange butterfly milkweed, instead.

      Appreciate what is there and stop trying to make things what they aren't! Our two cents...

      Thank you Nathan, it was fun!

      Additional content related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>e8d768aa-e2e4-4ec4-89bc-b39256849dbbTue, 11 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -050001:01:51falsefull1441Native Plants- Not Just A "Spring Affair" with Bob HenricksonNative Plants-Not Just A "Spring Affair"

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we chat with Bob Henrickson, the horticultural program coordinator for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum about upcoming events, his picks for a rain garden, historical uses of prairie plants, and much, much more. We're excited to share this with you. Thanks for listening.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast. 

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon 

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum- Find them here

      Purchase Details/Sale Dates: Click here to view the calendar TIX here

      Spring Affair Preview Party and Public Sale April 27th-29th

      Omaha Extension Office Appearance May 13th 9am-12 pm

      Fontenelle Forest Appearance June 17th 9am-12pm

      How's it Growin? Radio Show-https://kzum.org/howsitgrowin/

      Prairie 3 Mix:

      Little Bluestem, Blue Grama, and Side Oats Grama- A good baseline for your habitat soundscape

      Aggressive Plants:

      When we say something is aggressive, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to plant them. Just know that they excel at domination. Some we brought up today: partridge pea, Jerusalem artichoke,

      BEE LAWNS!

      The topic of bee lawns came up again in today's episode and we chatted about purple poppy mallow and wild petunia.

      Prairie Wildflowers for the Seasons:

      Spring favorites of Bob's are wild geranium, pasque flower (especially planted next to a bunch grass such as little bluestem or blue grama,) prairie smoke, and spiderwort (notably Dwarf or Tharp's Spiderwort, although we also talk about Ohio and prairie spiderwort.)

      Summer favorites of Bob's are purple poppy mallow; purple coneflower, pale purple coneflower for hot, dry areas; tickseed, stiff, lanceleaf coreopsis; smooth and shell-leaf penstemon; black-eyed and sweet black eyed-susans (fragrant as hinted by the namesake,) Canada milk-vetch (especially planted next to bee balm,) and of course milkweeds such as swamp milkweed (those are fragrant, too, folks.)

      Fall favorites of Bob's including some knockout native grasses are little bluestem, ("On fire, but not burning...,") prairie dropseed (also fragrant in a unique way,) switchgrass, Indian grass, asters, goldenrod, and wild senna.

      Wild Native Edible Plants:

      Jerusalem artichoke- not an artichoke, not from Jerusalem but a native sunflower with delicious, edible tubers. What's in a name anyway?

      Solomon's Seal- edible roots, thirst quencher, tinctures for joint pain/stiffness

      Purple Poppy Mallow- leaves can be used for thickening soups, tubers can be roasted

      Native Herbal Teas- wild bergamot tea, lead plant tea, mountain mint tea

      More Historical Uses of Native Plants:

      Goldenrod and wild false (also known as wild blue) indigo can be used for natural dyes

      Goldenrod was grown for Henry Ford when he started looking for rubber sources for tires

      Rain gardens

      Plants that are wet and drought tolerant- SEDGES! Bob wants you to grow more sedges! He also mentions swamp milkweed, New England aster, joe pye weed, white wild indigo, blue flag iris, and sneezeweed. Here's a great printable article from the Arboretum, scroll down to find some additional plant suggestions.

      Sedges

      We went down a rabbit hole started talking about Pennsylvania sedge. Don't ask Bob about sedges... just don't do it.

      The true enemies of habitat

      Bob says we need less lawn, less concrete, less asphalt, less soybeans, less cornfields, less turf grass... so don't begrudge your neighbors their hydrangeas. Sterile landscapes are the competition!

      Additional resources related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska 

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web:

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook 

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      • Benjamin Vogt at Monarch Gardens
      • Prairie Moon Nursery at https://www.prairiemoon.com/
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon 

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the...]]>Native Plants-Not Just A "Spring Affair"

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we chat with Bob Henrickson, the horticultural program coordinator for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum about upcoming events, his picks for a rain garden, historical uses of prairie plants, and much, much more. We're excited to share this with you. Thanks for listening.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast. 

      Guest Bob Henrickson

      Bob Henrickson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in the School of Natural Resources. Currently, Bob is the Horticulture Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc., a private, non-profit organization and program of the Nebraska Forest Service. Bob is also a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. Bob has hosted a live, call-in gardening talk show called How’s it Growin’ on a community radio station in Lincoln since 2000. He is passionate about native plants, herbs, dried flowers, vegetable gardening, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants.

      Thank you, Bob, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon 

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum- Find them here

      Purchase Details/Sale Dates: Click here to view the calendar TIX here

      Spring Affair Preview Party and Public Sale April 27th-29th

      Omaha Extension Office Appearance May 13th 9am-12 pm

      Fontenelle Forest Appearance June 17th 9am-12pm

      How's it Growin? Radio Show-https://kzum.org/howsitgrowin/

      Prairie 3 Mix:

      Little Bluestem, Blue Grama, and Side Oats Grama- A good baseline for your habitat soundscape

      Aggressive Plants:

      When we say something is aggressive, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to plant them. Just know that they excel at domination. Some we brought up today: partridge pea, Jerusalem artichoke,

      BEE LAWNS!

      The topic of bee lawns came up again in today's episode and we chatted about purple poppy mallow and wild petunia.

      Prairie Wildflowers for the Seasons:

      Spring favorites of Bob's are wild geranium, pasque flower (especially planted next to a bunch grass such as little bluestem or blue grama,) prairie smoke, and spiderwort (notably Dwarf or Tharp's Spiderwort, although we also talk about Ohio and prairie spiderwort.)

      Summer favorites of Bob's are purple poppy mallow; purple coneflower, pale purple coneflower for hot, dry areas; tickseed, stiff, lanceleaf coreopsis; smooth and shell-leaf penstemon; black-eyed and sweet black eyed-susans (fragrant as hinted by the namesake,) Canada milk-vetch (especially planted next to bee balm,) and of course milkweeds such as swamp milkweed (those are fragrant, too, folks.)

      Fall favorites of Bob's including some knockout native grasses are little bluestem, ("On fire, but not burning...,") prairie dropseed (also fragrant in a unique way,) switchgrass, Indian grass, asters, goldenrod, and wild senna.

      Wild Native Edible Plants:

      Jerusalem artichoke- not an artichoke, not from Jerusalem but a native sunflower with delicious, edible tubers. What's in a name anyway?

      Solomon's Seal- edible roots, thirst quencher, tinctures for joint pain/stiffness

      Purple Poppy Mallow- leaves can be used for thickening soups, tubers can be roasted

      Native Herbal Teas- wild bergamot tea, lead plant tea, mountain mint tea

      More Historical Uses of Native Plants:

      Goldenrod and wild false (also known as wild blue) indigo can be used for natural dyes

      Goldenrod was grown for Henry Ford when he started looking for rubber sources for tires

      Rain gardens

      Plants that are wet and drought tolerant- SEDGES! Bob wants you to grow more sedges! He also mentions swamp milkweed, New England aster, joe pye weed, white wild indigo, blue flag iris, and sneezeweed. Here's a great printable article from the Arboretum, scroll down to find some additional plant suggestions.

      Sedges

      We went down a rabbit hole started talking about Pennsylvania sedge. Don't ask Bob about sedges... just don't do it.

      The true enemies of habitat

      Bob says we need less lawn, less concrete, less asphalt, less soybeans, less cornfields, less turf grass... so don't begrudge your neighbors their hydrangeas. Sterile landscapes are the competition!

      Additional resources related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska 

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web:

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook 

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      • Benjamin Vogt at Monarch Gardens
      • Prairie Moon Nursery at https://www.prairiemoon.com/
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon 

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>5d3b00aa-2fa2-4fcc-83a3-897b48217ebdTue, 28 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -050001:12:30falsefull1331The Legacy of Prairies with Dr. Kay KottasThe Legacy of Prairies

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we chat with Dr. Kay Kottas, the president and owner of Prairie Legacy, a Nebraska- based native plant nursery and consulting company. We discuss some great prairie plants to add to the garden, why prairies are important, and what you can do to help further the native plants dialog. Thanks for joining us!

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Dr. Kay Kottas

      Our esteemed guest for today is Dr. Kay Kottas, President of the Nebraska Native Plant Society.  She is also owner and President of Prairie Legacy Inc, a botanical consulting company providing environmental surveys and supplying native local ecotype plants and seed.

      Kay has a Doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska where she completed demographic research on Nebraska’s Federally endangered Blowout Penstemon. She taught North American Plant identification and horticulture at UNL and Botany at Nebraska Wesleyan prior to purchasing the family farm, Witt’s End Homestead , settled by her ancestors in 1857.  Today, she has converted the homestead into a native plant and seed production nursery.  She continues to travel the state where surveys and analysis of native land is needed to help determine restoration guidelines and management needs. 

      Kay is Chair of the Nebraska Native Seed & Plant Producers, a group committed to helping people preserve the ecological integrity of local ecoregions by providing seed, plants and information related to native prairie.

      Thank you, Kay, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      Episode Content

      Nebraska Native Plant Society- Find them on Facebook here

      Prairie Legacy- https://prairielegacyinc.com/

      Purchase Details/Sale Dates:

      Order Online! Get a discount up through April by typing in the promotion code spring15. Fast shipping in a few business days by USPS

      Dates in Lincoln: Weekly deliveries to Lucky Dog Acres, Return of the Thunderbirds 4/1, Earth Day 4/15

      Omaha delivery date late April, possibly in attendance at Mulhall's Wild Plant Party this year

      Shortgrass and Tallgrass Prairies:

      Apparently just because it's called a tall grass prairie doesn't mean there isn't any short grass in there. Who knew?

      Aggressive Plants:

      When we say something is aggressive, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to plant them. Just know that they excel at domination. Two brought up were Maximilian Sunflower and Cup Plant, both very excellent plants for pollinators- Maximilian being great late forage for monarchs. Let your comfort level or curiosity determine how aggressive plants can be best used in your landscape.

      BEE LAWNS!

      Prairie Legacy offers a Bee Lawn Mix for sale but we talked about using blue grama, purple poppy mallow, and wild strawberry as well as others like self-heal.

      How does one prepare a native planting?

      Herbicide or smothering with cardboard/ solarizing with plastic for the chemical-averse. Just don't leave your plastic down too long! Or be lazy like me and scalp the turf grass with a shovel and weed repeatedly for multiple seasons- you decide.

      Internships at Prairie Legacy

      Come learn about native botany in the field or pledge your soon-to-be college student as tribute!

      For current positions or internships, apply here! https://prairielegacyinc.com/employment/

      Additional resources related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      • Benjamin Vogt at Monarch Gardens
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>The Legacy of Prairies

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we chat with Dr. Kay Kottas, the president and owner of Prairie Legacy, a Nebraska- based native plant nursery and consulting company. We discuss some great prairie plants to add to the garden, why prairies are important, and what you can do to help further the native plants dialog. Thanks for joining us!

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Guest Dr. Kay Kottas

      Our esteemed guest for today is Dr. Kay Kottas, President of the Nebraska Native Plant Society.  She is also owner and President of Prairie Legacy Inc, a botanical consulting company providing environmental surveys and supplying native local ecotype plants and seed.

      Kay has a Doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska where she completed demographic research on Nebraska’s Federally endangered Blowout Penstemon. She taught North American Plant identification and horticulture at UNL and Botany at Nebraska Wesleyan prior to purchasing the family farm, Witt’s End Homestead , settled by her ancestors in 1857.  Today, she has converted the homestead into a native plant and seed production nursery.  She continues to travel the state where surveys and analysis of native land is needed to help determine restoration guidelines and management needs. 

      Kay is Chair of the Nebraska Native Seed & Plant Producers, a group committed to helping people preserve the ecological integrity of local ecoregions by providing seed, plants and information related to native prairie.

      Thank you, Kay, for providing some rich and interesting content for this episode!

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      Episode Content

      Nebraska Native Plant Society- Find them on Facebook here

      Prairie Legacy- https://prairielegacyinc.com/

      Purchase Details/Sale Dates:

      Order Online! Get a discount up through April by typing in the promotion code spring15. Fast shipping in a few business days by USPS

      Dates in Lincoln: Weekly deliveries to Lucky Dog Acres, Return of the Thunderbirds 4/1, Earth Day 4/15

      Omaha delivery date late April, possibly in attendance at Mulhall's Wild Plant Party this year

      Shortgrass and Tallgrass Prairies:

      Apparently just because it's called a tall grass prairie doesn't mean there isn't any short grass in there. Who knew?

      Aggressive Plants:

      When we say something is aggressive, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to plant them. Just know that they excel at domination. Two brought up were Maximilian Sunflower and Cup Plant, both very excellent plants for pollinators- Maximilian being great late forage for monarchs. Let your comfort level or curiosity determine how aggressive plants can be best used in your landscape.

      BEE LAWNS!

      Prairie Legacy offers a Bee Lawn Mix for sale but we talked about using blue grama, purple poppy mallow, and wild strawberry as well as others like self-heal.

      How does one prepare a native planting?

      Herbicide or smothering with cardboard/ solarizing with plastic for the chemical-averse. Just don't leave your plastic down too long! Or be lazy like me and scalp the turf grass with a shovel and weed repeatedly for multiple seasons- you decide.

      Internships at Prairie Legacy

      Come learn about native botany in the field or pledge your soon-to-be college student as tribute!

      For current positions or internships, apply here! https://prairielegacyinc.com/employment/

      Additional resources related to this episode:

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      • Benjamin Vogt at Monarch Gardens
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>db033690-24d1-4eed-98a1-e3c64d1b91d9Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -050001:02:09falsefull1221What Are Native Plants Anyway with Host Stephanie BarelmanWhat Are Native Plants Anyway?

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we break down what makes a plant native, why to grow them, where to source them for your garden, and where you can learn more about planting native.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      https://www.prairienursery.com

      https://www.prairiemoonnursery.com

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum- Spring Affair event in Lincoln

      Midwest Natives Nursery- Lincoln

      Great Plains Nursery

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Places to Visit for Inspiration

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org/places-to-visit/

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>What Are Native Plants Anyway?

      Episode Introduction

      In today's episode we break down what makes a plant native, why to grow them, where to source them for your garden, and where you can learn more about planting native.

      Host Stephanie Barelman

      Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      Episode Content

      What makes a plant native?

      http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society

      https://www.prairienursery.com

      https://www.prairiemoonnursery.com

      native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)

      On the Web

      BONAP aforementioned

      BNPS aforementioned

      http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook

      Books & Authors

      Rick Darke- The Living Landscape

      Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".

      Enrique Salmon- Iwigara

      Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany

      Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

      Native Plants of the Midwest

      Planting in a Post-Wild World

      Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska

      Local Plant Suppliers

      Nebraska Statewide Arboretum- Spring Affair event in Lincoln

      Midwest Natives Nursery- Lincoln

      Great Plains Nursery

      Prairie Legacy Nursery

      Online Plant Suppliers

      Prairie Moon Nursery

      Prairie Nursery

      Places to Visit for Inspiration

      https://bellevuenativeplants.org/places-to-visit/

      Additional Resources

      • NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
      •  Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
      •  Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
      
      

      Other Local Organizations

      • Green Bellevue
      • PATH
      • Nebraska Native Plant Society
      
      

      Listen, rate, and subscribe!

      Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

      Find us on Facebook

      Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

      Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

      Support My Work via Patreon

      The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

      ]]>5e2e8e6f-9629-420b-b2ce-e97d7b797f1bTue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -050037:41falsefull1111