Native Plant Sale

Deadline: February 24, 2012

See the 2012 Plant Sale brochure.

General Information

Welcome to the Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron Counties annual Native Plant Sale. This sale includes plants native to northern Wisconsin. Why do we offer native instead of traditional garden plants, hybrids, or fruit trees?

There are a number of environmental and social reasons. Many of these plants are raised locally and collected from native seed in this region. This supports local nuseries and ensures greater survival because the plants are adapted to northern Wisconsin's climate. In addition, once established, they require less maintenance because they do not need water, fertilizer, or pesticides.

Native plants provide the essential food, shelter, and space for a diversity of wildlife. These plants are deep-rooted which greatly helps to reduce soil erosion. Along shorelines, native plants allow water to percolate into the soil and absorb nutrients that would otherwise enter the water. In addition, they provide privacy, firewood, lumber, and can serve as a windbreak.

History

Since 1993, the Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, & Iron Counties Land Conservation Department has sold more than 200,000 native trees and shrubs. The Native Plant Sale offers low-priced stock to encourage landowners to restore native plant habitat in Northern Wisconsin.

Conifer species have always topped the list for largest quantity of plants sold as many people buy conifers for large reforestations of open land. However, the tree & shrub sale was expended in 2004 to include native wildflowers and grasses. These plants are often used for shoreland habitat restorations or rain gardens. In addition to trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers, the sale also includes select varieties of ferns each year.

Proceeds from the Native Plant Sale fund scholarships for local students and teachers. Click here for the scholarship program.

The 2007 Native Plant Sale brochure include pictures of the trees, shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers that we are selling. The brochure contains all the information you need to place an an order. The document is 11x 17 and 6 pages.

To view pictures of additional native plants, visit the University of Wisconsin Herbarium website at: www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora. This site allows you to select plants by common name, scientific name, genus, or species. It also gives habitat descriptions and a state map of its range.

Planting & Maintenance Tips

1. Determine suitable species for your property by identifying those growing in similar conditions near you.
2. If replacing existing lawn with native plants, cover those areas with black plastic for 8-10 weeks. Leave the dead grass because it will act as a mulch.
3. Plant in the cool hours of the day. If you must wait to plant, store plants in a cool, dark place and keep the roots moist
4. Dig hoels deep enough so the roots do not bunch. Compact the soil lightly, but firmly around the roots to remove air pockets.
5. Keep the plants well watered for the first two weeks. Regular watering during the first season is essential, especially on sandy slopes and during droughts.
6. Once native plants are established they require minimal maintenance. Nature will take care of the watering, weeding, and fertilizing!
7. Do not mow in the planted area.
8. Mulch a two-foot diameter circle around each plant 2 to 3 inches deep with wood chips, straw, leaves, or pine needles. This will reduce weeds.
9. Discourage deer browse according to tips listed below.

PLANTING IN DEER COUNTRY

The Deer Facts

• A healthy deer consumes 5-10 pounds of leaves & twigs daily.
• New plantings and well-maintained gardens are especially preferred.
• Taste varies depending on season, food abundance, or nutritional needs.
• When preferred foods are scarce, they will eat almost anything.
• Although known as finicky eaters, deer eat more than 500 different plants.

Plantskydd is a proven product that repels deer and rabbits. Plantskydd is made of 100% natural ingredients: dried bovine blood, vegetable oil, and water. It is non-toxic and not harmful to animals or the environment. For more information about the product, log on to www.plantskydd.com or to order a quart spray bottle, contact the Land Conservation at 715-561-2234.

Maintain a browse-resistant landscape…

There are several ways to protect a garden and surrounding landscape from browse damage. The most cost-efficient way is to use plants that deer simply don’t like. The most common methods for deer defense include:

• Use plants that deer avoid: look next door in the woods to determine what they avoid
• Fence deer out
• Use tree guards for broadleaf trees or conifers
• Use organic repellents that have an odor or a disagreeable taste to deer
• Use plants that are toxic, aromatic, fuzzy, or prickly– these characteristics tend to be avoided
• Use electronic sound devices, unheard by humans
• Get a dog, they keep deer away

Note: Remember that a deer may eat anything, if their preferred food source is scarce. You may need to use protection measures on plants that you do not want them to browse!