General

Methow Natives offers a large line of drought-tolerant, hardy natives with high aesthetic value. Methow Natives is available for consultation on restoration and landscaping projects.

Timing is important. Reestablishing competing vegetation should occur as soon as possible after site disturbance. Limiting the size of disturbance and avoiding existing native vegetation are other considerations. Make sure that contractors and equipment operators understand these issues.

Establishing native bunchgrasses is the cornerstone to most upland naturalization projects in the Methow. An established planting of bunchgrasses provides excellent competition for noxious weeds and stabilizes soil to help prevent erosion. Many of our bunchgrass species are extremely beautiful and are excellent accents to any landscape project. Another benefit is that these species are extremely drought tolerant and need little water after establishment. Seeding and plugs are the main strategies for establishing grasses.

Water

Although many of the natives we grow are drought tolerant, it is extremely important that they receive ample water until the plants are well-established. We have seen numerous good projects fail due to lack of follow-up watering. If possible use a temporary watering system for the first two growing seasons.A deep weekly watering should be adequate to start. Frequency can be reduced as plants become more established. We have noticed that many species that grow on harsh sites, respond well to regular watering in the landscape setting. These plants get larger and bloom longer than in natural settings. The key to this is making sure that the soils are well-drained. The most common forms of irrigation are listed below:

Drip irrigation is an efficient and effective way to water your natives. Drip technology is highly evolved and it is possible to develop a systemtailored to fit the needs of any project.Regular waterings can be operated manually or by timers although the system should be checked regularly to prevent leaks or clogs.
Hand watering is labor intensive but provides the opportunity to observe the plantings as they develop. Creating a small depression or reservoir around each planting is important for hand watering efforts.
Overhead sprinkler watering is quick and easy but can create weed problems. By distributing the water over an entire area, weeds are able to effectively compete against native plantings. Aggressive weed control early on can take care of this. Establishing a cover of native bunchgrasses is a very effective form of weed control.

Deer

The Methow is famous for its mule deer herd. Folks from all over the northwest come to the valley in the fall for hunting season. But this blessing presents one of the greatest challenges for establishing native plants. Deer habitat is being squeezed, forcing the deer to live at closer quarters with humans. This habituates deer to human presence and creates intense grazing pressure on plantings. In the eleven years of living in my neighborhood, I have noticed a dramatic increase in deer pressure. In the past, fencing around our vegetable garden was not needed, and only occasional deer came through to graze on the odd cabbage or two. These days without a sturdy garden fence, we would not have any garden at all.By planting natives we are supplying the local deer with some of their favorite foods. Without some sort of protection, the plantings are will likely be killed or severely stunted. Once plants are established, they can survive a moderate amount of browsing. The following lists a few measures for protection from deer.

Deer repellents. There are numerous commercially available deer repellents on the market. They are usually sprayed on the plant. My experience has been that these can be effective deterrents but usually for short periods of time and when grazing pressure is low to moderate. MN will be conducting extensive trials this season. Please contact us about results.
Caging. Caging is an effective means of deer protection. Individual protectors made of plastic or cardboard are ideal for small plants or when numerous individuals are planted. Drawbacks are that any branch that grows out of the protector is vulnerable to browse. Larger cages made out of chicken wire or metal fencing are excellent protection. They are expensive and labor intensive to construct.
Fencing. Fencing is another option to keep deer off your plants. A 7 foot high fence is an excellent height for exclusion. A shorter fence with a couple of rows of wire strung above can work well. Fencing is expensive and squeezes available habitat for deer tighter. MN is going to experiment with temporary fencing with plastic mesh for a 2-3 year period on a number of riparian restoration projects this fall. Once plants have grown above browse height, fencing will be removed to open migration corridors.
Deer resistant plants. There are very few natives that deer in the Methow will not ever touch. But there are a number of them that are low on their list of choice foods.

• fleabanes
• Richardson’s penstemon
• sagebrush
• yarrow
• prairie mugwort
• snow buckwheat
• rabbitbrush
• milkweeds
• kinnikinick
• Michaux’s mugwort
• pearly everlasting
• parsnip leaf buckwheat
• golden aster
• cudweed

Methow Natives carries us a variety of commercial deer repellents and caging options. Please contact us about available products.

Weeds

Alien plants species are threatening the biodiversity of large tracts of native habitat throughout the world. Here in the Methow, we have a long list of very aggressive weed aliens. Establishing competing vegetation is one of the best methods for reducing these species. Unfortunately, it is necessary to control these weeds while natives are re-establishing. There many different control methods available. It is important to carefully study each individual situation and form a careful approach to weed control.

With good planning and timely action, a new homeowner can establish a vegetation cover that will compete successfully with these pernicious invaders while enhancing the native biodiversity. The key to fighting these weeds on many sites in the Methow is establishing a cover of perennial bunchgrasses. These grasses have many beneficial qualities.

Whenever possible, we recommend manual control methods. By getting out and handpulling weeds or mowing them, you have a good opportunity to study the ecological dynamics at play and learn more about your land. Some good strides with bio-controls have been made lately and are worth investigating. Please contact us with any weed questions.

Plugs

Planting plugs is the best strategy for revegetating small areas or harsh sites. The advantage of plugs is that they establish easily and can outcompete weeds quickly. It is also easy to mimic natural patterns by planting on a variable grid of 18"-3'. Methow Natives grass plugs are grown from hand collected seed from the hills of the Methow Valley which makes them preferable to the cultivars available in our seed selection. Plugs are small, easy to plant and grow rapidly. Plugs are priced at $0.60/ea. $0.45/ea for orders greater than 150. Bluebunch wheatgrass, junegrass, Idaho fescue and pinegrass are usually available. We can produce other species upon request.

Terms

Habitat: Make sure to choose plants that fit your site. Picking the right species for your habitat type will allow them to flourish once you have helped them to establish. Consult our habitat recommendations on the plant list or check with us about our native plant consulting services.
Timing: Although container grown Plants can be planted out through much of the year, we recommend spring or fall plantings for natives in the Methow. For fall plantings, the best timing is after the plant has stopped actively growing and before snowfall or ground freeze. October is usually the best month. April-May is the ideal spring window.
Planting: Planting plugs in shallow depressions will create small microsites that will catch water and aid in hand watering. Utilizing natural features for shade and water collection is helpful.
Ammendments: Many natives grow on poor soils, low in nutrients. We do not tend to amend the soil heavily for native plantings.Well-drained soils are important. Organic mulches conserve water and build soil fertility but also can create root problems in some shrub-steppe species. A balanced fertilizer will aid growth but is not necessary.
Mycorrhizae: Mycorrhizae are anatomical structures resulting from the symbiotic association between a plant and a fungus. These organisms are important for plant establishment and growth, allowing the for the uptake of nutrients and water, a vitalrole in the harsh conditions of the Methow. Unfortunately mycorrhizal relationships are often absent in disturbed lands. The plants grown at Methow Natives have been inoculated with native soil to help foster these organisms. Mycorrhizal inoculants can also be used at planting time to encourage more growth.

Resources

Books

Gardening with a Wild Heart, Judith Lowery, Univ. of California Press 1999.An intriguing series of essays on a woman's experience with native plant landscaping. The book centers on the flora of Central California but her experiences are applicable to restoration in general.

Propagation of Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Robin Rose et al., OSU Press 1998. An informative review of existing literature on propagation of PNW native plants. Well organized with plant descriptions, habitat descriptions and information of seed and vegetative propagation.

Seed Propagation of Native California Plants, Dara Emery, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1988. A classic with extensive germination information on a long list of California species.Includes amny species native to the Methow. Good descriptions of seed collection, storage and germination techniques. A valuable resource.

The Wildflower Gardener's Guide, Henry Art, Gardenway Publishers 1990. The book is grouped into western habitat types with good information of propagation of numerous species. Not very technical but full of good tips.

Helping Nature Heal, Richard Nilsen ed., Ten Speed Press 1991. A series of articles on different restoration projects around the world. Community oriented with a foreword by Barry Lopez.

In Service of the Wild, Stephanie Mills, Beacon Press 1995 . An insightful look at restoration and our stewardship responsibilities with the earth.

Restoration Forestry, Michael Pilarski, Kivaki Press 1995. An extensive compilation of restoration forestry articles. Very good reference lists.

Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest, Russel Link, UW Press. Comprehensive guide to planning and implementing a wildlife garden. Detailed sections for many different types of wildlife as well as general concepts.

Journals

The Methow Naturalist, Dana Visalli, Editor. A quarterly natural history journal focused on the Methow Valley. Insightful articles on a variety of subjects as well as lists of current wildlife sightings and natural history events. A must for those interested in learning more of the valley's natural history. Methow NaturalistBox 711, Winthrop, WA. 98862.

Ecological Restoration (North America)Univ. of Wisconsin Press(608-262-9591). A quarterly publication of the Society of Ecological Restoration. Each issue presents numerous papers on various aspects of restoration. Literature reviews of related papers are very helpful.

Identification Guides

Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchock and Cronquist, UW Press1973. Still the botanists’ bible in the in the northwest. Technical keys for identifying species.Takes some time to learn the keys and terms, but provides a lifetime of fun.

Sagebrush Country, Ron TaylorMountain Press 1992. The best picture guide of shrub-steppe species available. Almost all of our common dryland species are found in this book. A great guide to get started with.

Weeds of the West, University of Wyoming1996. An extensive photo guide of western weeds. Agreat ID guide that is easy to use. Grouped by families. Does list some native species (lupines, locoweeds etc.) as weeds for toxicity to livestock.

Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia, Parish, Coupe, Lloyd, Lone Pine 1996. Informative guide with photos, drawings and distribution maps. Part of an excellent series. Highly recommended.

Local Organizations

Washington Native Plant Society (206-323-3336). State wide group dedicated to protecting native flora. Local chapter in Methow. www.wnps.org. Local contact: George Wooten (509-997-6010) or Joyce Bergen (509-996-7808).

Methow Conservancy (509-996-2870). Local land trust with goal of conserving habitat and agricultural lands in the valley. Check out their “Good Neighbor Handbook”.