Written by Sarah Reed
For many of us, the gradual brightening of March is a signal to start sowing seeds, while the warm rains of May are the perfect opportunity to transplant seedlings. Spring is synonymous with rejuvenation and rebirth after a cold dark winter: the hope of a new growing season is easy to witness, and accessible to experience. In one of my favourite quotes, Margaret Atwood says, “in spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
However spring is not the only season for planting. Contrary perhaps to common
knowledge, many native plants will tolerate fall seeding/planting, and some even prefer it! So if you missed the window in spring, or if there’s more you wish to add to your garden or yard, there is still time.
What do we mean by “native plants"?
Ornamental plants are those that are grown (and genetically-selected) for their beauty; most commonly their floral display, but also for scent, medicine, or aesthetic purposes (Knowles & Saxon, 2012).
Humans love to decorate space, and of course this includes gardening and landscaping. Flower gardens, seeking the biggest and showiest, are often full of non-native ornamentals that need to be tended and coaxed into growth. Native plants that compromise beauty with toughness should be a welcome addition to any garden.
Native plants are determined by the soil and climate of each region. They have evolved over thousands of years alongside each other; adapting, competing, and forming a web of symbiotic relationships and strong ecological connections (Grow Me Instead, 2016). Native plants include all those which would would grow in an area without human interference; by planting them instead of ornamental non-natives, we can intentionally return the landscape to its natural state, which will positively impact the diversity of plants and wildlife within a larger area. Creating and preserving mini-reserves of native biodiversity thus act to conserve Canada’s natural heritage for future generations (Nature Conservancy, n.d.).
You’ve probably heard of different initiatives to protect pollinators, like No Mow May or Cheerio’s Bring Back Our Bees campaign. Gardening with native species is similarly associated with helping pollinator (especially bee and butterfly) populations, but many other types of wildlife benefit. These include birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, for whom the native plants will provide food or habitat (Loughrey, n.d.). In return for feeding and sheltering wildlife, native plants can depend on animals to spread their seeds: either through eating the fruit and defecating the seeds elsewhere, or simply by catching and carrying seeds on their fur. This is an example of the mutually-beneficial relationships that have evolved between native plants and animals.
Native plants also support the inorganic aspects of a garden as well; helping to restore soil health, reduce erosion, and improve water quality (Loughrey, n.d.). Since native plants have adapted over a long slow period to the environment of an area, they tend to require less attention and maintenance from the gardener (Nature Conservancy, n.d.). Native plants may not require supplemental fertilizers like some more sensitive ornamentals might, instead using the nutrients and minerals already present.
However, careful research is required.
The “native plant” tags at the local gardening store might be misleading. Remember, all plants are native –to somewhere– and how they are grown matters. Consider these categories of native plants, from least to most ecologically valuable, compiled by the Toronto Sun:
- Native cultivars: cultivated varieties of native species that have been bred for unique or desired qualities. Like many commercially available native plants, native cultivars are reproduced from cuttings for genetic consistency and many are sterile. They do not produce pollen for pollinators and have a low ecological value.
- Basic perennial native plants: They are dependable, produce great colour, provide pollinator support and are drought tolerant. Most of these plants are grown from cuttings in commercial nurseries: they grow true to the “parent” plant, which means less genetic diversity and ecological value for supporting wildlife than plants propagated from seed.
- Seed-sourced open-pollinated natives: Locally sourced native plants are grown from seed that is gathered in an area where the plant is intended to grow. Growing from local seed sources also helps improve overall biodiversity. Open pollination allows for continuous evolution of the species. A lot of these species are also at risk of local extinction due to habitat loss, so growing from seed is also an act of preservation which promotes greater biodiversity (Cullen, 2020).
So, why plant in the fall months?
Fall-seeding is very common in nature, especially in Southern / Central Ontario: flowers bloom throughout late-summer, drop their seeds in fall, to germinate the following spring. This rhythm ensures that seeds experience cold stratification (a period of cold/wet, seen naturally in late winter and spring) before they will germinate. For Ontario’s native plants, this means that survival/germination rates are actually higher for fall sowing, with seedlings often sprouting earlier in spring. As well, seed/lings planted in the fall will not require the same attention and watering that summer plants will: the seasonal increase in precipitation should be sufficient.
Seeds sown in fall germinate as soon as the spring conditions are suitable: from the start, they are exposed to harsher settings than indoor transplants, resulting in more resilient and adaptable plants. Since fall-sown seedlings experience a natural “hardening-off” period, they do not experience indoor-to-outdoor transplant shock (Heeman’s, 2022). These seedlings will
grow into strong plants that will be much more adaptable to variable climate, soil, drought conditions, and other seasonal changes (Delleman, 2020).
Fall is also a great season for transplanting seedlings: after a season of growing, plants are large and hardy, and the slightly cooler soil is less harsh for delicate roots, which eases the transition to a new environment (Delleman, 2020). The moderate fall temperatures are more gentle for both the new plants and the gardener!
When not to plant in the fall
Fall-sowing the seeds of next spring’s wildflower garden is dependable and easy; transplanting native shrub and tree seedlings in fall is very suitable to these sturdy woody plants. Some plants (usually those that thrive in aquatic or shade conditions) are more temperamental.
Aquatic plants are a great addition to any garden water feature, for both aesthetic and practical purposes. Native plants like Blueflag Iris or Sneezeweed have beautifully coloured flowers to attract pollinators, while Pondweed or Pickerelweed keep the water oxygenated and free of algae. Plants that thrive in water or wet soil prefer to be established in spring and early summer: when the soil is at its dampest, and right before they begin peak growing season (Moore Water Gardens, 2023).
Ferns are stately plants that add texture and dimension to any garden. One of the first plants to adapt to live on land, ferns propagate by spreading spores rather than seeds or fruit (Toronto Master Gardener, 2021). They are generally hardy plants that thrive in shade with rich, well- drained soil, and while they’re largely drought-tolerant once established, they’re best planted in spring to mitigate the stress of growing in dry soil.
Native grasses are crucial components of natural ecosystems that are often overlooked in a garden setting. They are an artistic addition; and also act as host plants for insects and caterpillars, create habitat for wildlife, provide a critical source of seeds for birds over the fall and winter months, and shade the ground to reduce evaporation and provide resiliency to drought (In Our Nature, n.d.). Warm season native grasses are the best choice for gardens as they are usually clump-forming and “play very well with other plants” (In Our Nature, n.d.). Warm season grasses grow most actively during the warm weather from late spring to late summer; and the best time to sow or plant these grasses is in the warm soil of late spring/early summer.
So with fall approaching, don’t put away your gardening gloves yet!
Regardless of the season, all gardens –from wildflower pollinator gardens to more strictly landscaped varieties– benefit from the introduction of native species. No matter the size or aesthetic of your garden, native plants are resilient and beautiful: an obvious addition.
Whether you’re a gardener who likes to be puttering all season long, or one who prefers a more self-sufficient plot, add fall planting to your gardening schedule! You may be surprised at how well the plants thrive following a natural seasonal cycle.
Additional Resources
- Pollinator species in your region: https://pollinator.org/guides_canada?c=k0m
- “Grow Me Instead” pamphlet with natives instead of invasive: https://
www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/GMI-Booklet_FINAL-FOR-
WEB_May132016.pdf
- How to collect native seeds for fall dispersal: https://www.cleannorth.org/2022/09/16/want-to-collect-native-plant-seed-for-sowing-this-fall-winter-weve-got-the-scoop/
- Native Gardening in Ontario pamphlet: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/assets/documents/on/Native-gardening-in-Ontario-brochure.pdf
- Native Grasses for Ontario Gardens: https://www.inournature.ca/native-grasses-for-ontario-gardens
- Native Aquatic Plants: https://www.inournature.ca/native-plants-for-wet-areas
References
Delleman, J. (2020). Seeding in Fall: Nature’s Planting Time. Ravensong Seeds & Herbals. https://ravensongherbals.com/blog-post/fall-seeding
Cullen, M., Cullen, B. (2020). Garden outside of the lines with these native plant species. The Toronto Star. (https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2020/06/30/garden-outside-of-the-lines- with-these-native-plant-species.html)
Knowles, R.H., Saxon, P.K. (2012). Ornamentals. Canadian Enccyclopedia. https:// www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ornamentals
Loughrey, J. (n.d.) Native Plants - How (& Why) to Grow a Native Plant Garden. Garden Design. https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/natives.html)
Planting aquatic plants. Moore Water Gardens. (2023) https://moorewatergardens.com/water- gardening-101/planting-transplanting-aquatic-plants/
Sowing seeds in the fall. Heeman’s. (2022). https://www.heeman.ca/garden-guides/sowing- seeds-in-the-fall/
Hardy Garden Ferns: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide. Toronto Master Gardener. (2021) https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/gardeningguides/hardy-garden-ferns-a-toronto- master-gardeners-guide/
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