Native Plants on Sale for Local Watershed Conservation

COLLEGEVILLE PA – Packaged kits containing watershed-friendly native plants, suitable for fall planting, are available for online sale now from Penn State Extension’s master watershed stewards. They will arrive just in time, during September, for pick-up at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1015 Bridge Rd.

The plants are intended to help reduce storm water runoff, lower water pollution, conserve water, and support wildlife and pollinators. This sale is aimed at native plant lovers, advocates of sustainable landscaping, supporters of watershed-friendly practices, and anyone interested in straight-species, open-pollinated native plants from Pennsylvania.

The kits contain plant plugs selected from species grown by Kind Earth Growers, a Pennsylvania native plant nursery. It uses locally collected open-source pollinated seeds and 50-percent peat-free growing media.

Plant plugs are smaller than what is typically found in commercial nurseries. Their use allows for easier transportation and planting, even within existing vegetation. The plugs have healthy root systems. Roots can be expected to establish this fall, so plants can flourish during the next growing season.

Kits in 3 varieties and 2 sizes

Kits are available in several varieties, including the:

• “Sunny Soggy Bottoms Kit” for sunny, wet areas;
• “Shady Soggy Bottoms Kit” for shady, wet areas; and
• “Wildlife Magnet Kit” for average growing conditions. It provides food and habitat for numerous pollinators and wildlife.

All three kit options are available in two sizes. “Bountiful Kits” cost $100 and include five different species, with five individual plants of each species, for a total of 25 plants. Smaller “Container Kits” cost $25 and include five species with one plant of each species, for a total of five plants.

Sale proceeds support the regional educational outreach and restoration work of the Master Watershed Steward program. See its webpage for more information about the watershed-friendly native plant kit sale.

Photo provided to Travels With The Post by Penn State Extension