February 21, 2024 Integrating Native Plants into Your Vegetable Garden Here at Natural Shore, we maintain over 500 ecological restoration sites around the metro area, so we often run into people that love natural areas and equally enjoy produce, vegetable, and food type gardens. We sometimes get asked if native plants and vegetable gardens can commingle, and the answer is always a resounding yes! Native plants can actually bring some super cool science and striking views to your garden! Let’s look at the specific ways in which native plants can substantially benefit your produce this growing season. Attracting Pollinators Ever noticed how different flowers attract different insects? That’s because native plants have evolved special features – like their shape and smell – to lure in specific pollinators. So, when you plant native flowers alongside your veggies, you’re basically rolling out the red carpet for native bees, butterflies, and other helpful critters that make sure your plants get busy with pollination. For instance, our Minnesota native bees are actually more efficient pollinators than honeybees. Having a variety of native plants alongside your veggies will call in our native bees. Of course, they will no doubt find your food plants as well. Inviting Beneficial Insects Beyond their role in pollinator attraction, native plants serve as beacons for beneficial insects, orchestrating a natural pest control operation within your garden. For instance, certain caterpillars, grasshoppers, aphids, and beetles can wreak havoc on Minnesota food plots. An environmentally safe and effective way to control these pests is to attract their predators through native plantings. Insect species such as wasps, lacewings, spiders, and lady beetles will naturally control the garden pests. Over time, your garden can become a self-regulating ecosystem with predatory insects present, eliminating the need for chemical pest control. Battling Weeds It’s becoming increasingly popular for gardeners to tackle weeds with a ground cover of Minnesota native plants. For instance, wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is a low-growing perennial plant that forms a dense mat of foliage. It effectively shades out weeds, reducing competition for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. Additionally, wild strawberries produce small, edible fruits, adding an extra bonus to your food plot. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is another species worth considering. It is a low-growing grass-like perennial that forms dense tufts of foliage. Its ability to spread and create a thick mat makes it effective at crowding out weeds and stabilizing soil. Additionally, Pennsylvania sedge is well-adapted to a variety of soil types and light conditions, including both sun and shade, making it versatile for different areas within the garden. Incorporating Pennsylvania sedge into your food plot not only helps control weeds but also adds texture and visual interest to the landscape. Improving Soil Health Another benefit of native plants in food gardens is their ability to improve soil health. Native vegetation helps to increase soil biodiversity by providing habitat for beneficial microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, making soil nutrients more accessible to your food crops. As native plants die back each year, their roots and leaves add organic matter to the soil. This further improves soil health and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, native plants help to break up compacted soils, a common problem in many vegetable gardens. Compacted soils can reduce percolation and water retention rates, making it difficult for plants to access water. Native plants with deep root systems break up the soil and improve soil structure by creating channels that allow water and other nutrients to penetrate the soil more deeply. Mixing in native plants can actually work to conserve water in your food garden, reducing the amount of irrigation required. Amazing Aesthetics It’s quite easy to enhance your vegetable garden’s beauty with native plants that blend charm, interest, and practicality. Imagine the spectacular and butterfly-loving meadow blazing star (Liatris ligulistylis) towering over your zucchinis or the cheerful purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) brightening up your pepper patch. For a lovely garden border, try a mix of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and the resilient black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), a Minnesota native bursting with sunny yellow blooms. The possibilities are truly endless. Native plants come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, offering a diverse visual palette for gardeners to work with. In addition, many native plants undergo striking seasonal changes, such as colorful blooms in spring and summer, followed by vibrant foliage in autumn. These seasonal shifts provide ever-changing visual interest throughout the year. A More Holistic Approach By adding native plants to your vegetable garden, you’re not just gardening – you’re cultivating a colorful and vibrant ecosystem bursting with life! Minnesota native plants can bring a fresh, sustainable twist to your gardening routine. With a bit of planning and planting, you can save time and resources and also invite ecologically appropriate plants and insects to your garden party. It’s truly a win-win. We are here ready to help you meld natives into your veggie garden. We grow over 100 species in our native plant nursery, and our expert staff can assist you with finding the perfect plants for your garden’s needs. Partner with us and get ready to watch your garden come alive with energy and excitement this year!
