Planting & Growing Native Species

It is natural as you begin to forage, that you learn what’s wild, and native to your area. The U.S. is separated into climate zones, also known as growing zones, and these boundaries and locations can be found online, or in your Farmer’s Almanac. Here in Cincinnati Ohio, we are in zone 6a. Many things native to the Midwest, and the Appalachian Valley region as a whole are found here. We also share a lot of the same wildlife, and pollination varieties as well. Native plants and crops are of utmost importance in sustaining a wild and natural habitat for critters and creatures of all kinds.

When doing your research, always pay attention to which crops are named invasive, and which are named endangered. If you’re planting by hand, or throwing seed bombs, be mindful of those variations of crops, and locations which they thrive. Plants like Giant Hogweed (which you’re likely not going to be planting anyways), can and will completely choke out any Milkweed growing in or around it. So you wouldn’t want to drop some seeds close to a patch of that. And there are many other crops in comparison that can be found listed at the bottom of this page.

Seed bombs are especially beneficial for endangered species of crops, native crops, as well as annual and perennial crops like wildflowers and such that are an excellent source of food for native pollinators like Bumble Bees, and Swallowtail Butterflies.