Our Complete Seed Source Guide table below has been updated for 2015 and has an alphabetical listing of many sources of Seeds, Transplants, and Bulbs for Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Grains, Grasses, Ground Covers, Vines, Fruits, Sprouting, Trees, Wildflowers, and much more. Many are Open-pollinated, Non-GMO, Organic, and Heirloom varieties. Most offer a Free Catalog.

So whether it’s still snowing outside, or it’s time to start planting tomorrow, dig in and order your seeds now.

NAME	WEBSITE	CONTACT	NOTES
AMERICAN MEADOWS	www.americanmeadows.com	223 Avenue D, Ste 30 Williston, VT 05495 (877)309-7333	Seeds Plants Wildflowers Native Grasses Flowers Vegetables
ANNIE'S ANNUALS & PERENNIALS	www.anniesannuals.com	740 Market Ave. Richmond, CA 94801 (888)266-4370	Seeds Bulbs Flowers Foliage Grass Herbs Poppies Sedges Shrubs South African Bulbs Succulents Sunflowers Trees Vegetables Vines Water Plants Free Catalog
BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.rareseeds.com	2278 Baker Creek Rd Mansfield, MO 65704 (417)924-8917	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Herbs Free Catalog
BBB SEED	www.bbbseed.com	6595 Odell Place, Unit G Boulder, CO 80301 (303)530-1222	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Native Grasses Cover Crops Free Catalog
BLUESTONE PERENNIALS	www.bluestoneperennials.com	7211 Middle Ridge Rd Madison, OH 44057 (800)852-5243	Plants Perennial Flowers Ferns Vines Grasses Ground Covers Free Catalog
BOTANICAL INTERESTS	www.botanicalinterests.com	660 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 (877)821-4340	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Organic
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS	www.bountifulgardens.org	1712-D South Main St Willits, CA 95490 (707)459-6410	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Grains Green Manures Compost Carbon Crops
BRENT AND BECKYS BULBS	www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com	7900 Daffodil Lane Gloucester, VA 23061 (877)661-2852	Flower Bulbs Free Catalog
BURNT RIDGE NURSERY & ORCHARDS	www.burntridgenursery.com	432 Burnt Ridge Rd Onalaska, WA 98570 (360)985-2873	Fruiting Plants Nut Trees Ornamental Trees Northwest US Natives Free Catalog
BURPEE	www.burpee.com	300 Park Avenue Warminster, PA 18974 (800)888-1447	Seeds Plants Vegetables Flowers Perennials Herbs Heirlooms Fruit Plants Free Catalog
THE COOK’S GARDEN	www.cooksgarden.com	P. O. Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974 (800)457-9703	Seeds Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Fruits Free Catalog
DIXONDALE FARMS	www.dixondalefarms.com	PO Box 129 Department WP12 Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 (877)367-1015	Plants Onions Leeks Free Catalog
DOLLAR SEED	dollarseed.com	Website	Non-GMO Seeds Vegetables Herbs Organic Sprouting Flowers Seeds for $1.00 Free Catalog
DUTCH GARDENS	www.dutchgardens.com	4 Currency Drive P.O. Box 2999 Bloomington, IL 61702 (800)944-2250	Bulbs Flowers Plants Roses Shrubs Vines Fruit Berries Free Catalog
FEDCO SEEDS	www.fedcoseeds.com	PO Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903 (207)426-9900	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers
GARDENS ALIVE!	www.gardensalive.com	5100 Schenley Place Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (513)354-1482	Environmentally Responsible Lawn Care Soil Care Plant Care Insect Pest Control Animal Pest Control Disease Control Weed Control Free Catalog
GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY	www.gardeners.com	128 Intervale Road Burlington, VT 05401 (800)876-5520	Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
GURNEYS SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.gurneys.com	P.O. Box 4178 Greendale, IN 47025 (513)354-1492	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HARRIS SEEDS	www.harrisseeds.com	355 Paul Rd. P.O. Box 24966 Rochester, NY 14624 (800)544-7938	Seeds Plants Vegetables Flowers Fruits Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.heirloomseeds.com	278 E. Finley Dr West Finley, PA 15377 (724)663-5356	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Herbs Seed Starting Supplies On-line Orders Only
HENRY FIELD'S SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.henryfields.com	P.O. Box 397 Aurora, IN 47001 (513)354-1494	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS	www.highcountrygardens.com	PO Box 22398 Santa Fe, NM 87502 (800)925-9387	Flowers Herbs Roses Shrubs Trees Bulbs Lawns Wild Flowers Xeric Free Catalog
JACKSON & PERKINS	www.jacksonandperkins.com	2 Floral Avenue Hodges, SC 29653 (800)292-4769	Roses Plants Vegetables Trees Ground Cover Garden Essentials Birding Free Catalog
JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS	www.johnnyseeds.com	PO Box 299 Waterville, ME 04903 (877)564-6697	Seeds Vegetables Fruits Flowers Herbs Cover Crops Tools and Supplies Free Catalog
KITAZAWA SEED CO.	www.kitazawaseed.com	201 4th Street #206 Oakland, CA 94607 (510)595-1188	Seeds Asian Vegetables Free Catalog
LOGEE'S	www.logees.com	141 North St. Danielson, CT 06239 (888)330-8038	Fruiting Rare Tropical Plants Orchids Free Catalog
NATIVE AMERICAN SEED	www.seedsource.com	Junction, TX 76849 (800)728-4043	Native Seeds Wildflowers Grasses Free Catalog
NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY	www.nicholsgardennursery.com	1190 Old Salem Rd NE Albany, OR 97321 (800)422-3985	Seeds Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Lawn Mixes Cover Crops Roots-Bulbs-Garlic Beer & Wine Making Cheese Making Free Catalog
PARK SEED CO.	www.parkseed.com	3507 Cokesbury Rd Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-3369	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Herb Plants Fruit Plants Onion Sets Free Catalog
THE PEPPER GAL	www.peppergal.com	P.O. Box 23006 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33307 (954)537-5540	Pepper Seeds
PINETREE GARDEN SEEDS	www.superseeds.com	P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207)926-3400	Seeds Vegetables Bulbs Herbs Flowers Spices Teas Sprouting Tobacco Mushroom Kits Free Catalog
RONNIGER POTATO FARM	www.potatogarden.com	12101 2135 Rd Austin, CO 81410 (877)313-7783	Non-GMO Seed Potatoes Garlic Bulbs Free Catalog
THE SAMPLE SEED SHOP	www.sampleseeds.com	978 Riverview Blvd. Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716)871-1137	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato
SEEDS OF CHANGE	www.seedsofchange.com	P.O. Box 4908 Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 (888)762-7333	Certified Organic Seeds Vegetables Salads & Greens Herbs Flowers Cover Crops AppleTrees Asparagus Crowns Rhubarb Crowns Free Catalog
SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE	www.seedsavers.org	3094 North Winn Rd Decorah, IA 52101 (563)382-5990	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato & Pepper Plants Seed Pototoes Free Catalog
THE SOUTHERN BULB CO.	www.southernbulbs.com	P.O. Box 350 Golden, TX 75444	Bulbs Flowers Heirloom
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE	www.southernexposure.com	P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 (540)894-9480	Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Cotton Seed Pototoes Sweet Potatos Garlic & Onion Grains Cover Crops Free Catalog
STOKES SEEDS	www.stokeseeds.com	P.O. Box 548 Buffalo, NY 14240-0548 (800) 396-9238	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
SUSTAINABLE SEED CO.	www.sustainableseedco.com	P.O. Box 636 Petaluma, California 94952 877-620-7333	Seeds Non-GMO Heirloom Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tobacco Cover Crops
TERRITORIAL SEEDS	www.territorialseed.com	P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (800) 626-0866	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Sprouting Seed Potatoes Garlic and Shallot Bulbs Onion Sets Cover Crops Mushrooms Fruit & Berry Citrus Free Catalog
TERROIR SEEDS	www.underwoodgardens.com	P.O. Box 4995 Chino Valley, AZ 86323-7208 (888) 878-5247	Seeds Heirloom Vegetables Herbs Flowers
TY TY NURSERY	www.tytyga.com	P.O. Box 130 Ty Ty, GA 31795-0130 (888) 811-9132	Plants Berries Bamboo Shrubs Vines Trees Fruit Nut Palm Shade Bulbs Flowers
TOMATO GROWERS SUPPLY CO.	www.tomatogrowers.com	P.O. Box 60015 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (888) 478-7333	Plants Tomatoes Pepper Eggplant Free Catalog
URBAN FARMER	www.ufseeds.com	5427 N Delaware Street Indianapolis, IN. 46220 (317) 899-9801	Seeds Non-GMO Vegetables Herbs Flowers Plants Vegetables Free Catalog
VESEYS SEEDS	www.veseys.com	PO Box 9000 Calais, Maine 04619-6102 (800) 363-7333	Seeds Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
WILDFLOWER FARM	www.wildflowerfarm.com	10195 Hwy 12 West R.R. #2, Coldwater, Ontario Canada L0K 1E0 ( 866) 476-9453	Seeds Wildflowers Native Grasses
WILDSEED FARMS	www.wildseedfarms.com	100 Legacy Drive P.O. BOX 3000 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (800) 848-0078	Seeds WIldflowers Native Grasses Herbs Free Catalog
WILLHITE SEED CO.	www.willhiteseed.com	P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 (800) 828-1840	Seeds Vegetables Free Catalog
WOMACK NURSERY CO.	www.womacknursery.com	2551 State Hwy 6 De Leon, TX 76444-6333 (254) 893-6497	Trees Fruit Nut Plants Berries Grapes Roses

The post Seed Source Guide first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

NAME	WEBSITE	CONTACT	NOTES
ANNIE'S ANNUALS & PERENNIALS	www.anniesannuals.com	740 Market Ave Richmond, CA 94801 (888)266-4370	Seeds Bulbs Flowers Foliage Grass Herbs Poppies Sedges Shrubs South African Bulbs Succulents Sunflowers Trees Vegetables Vines Water Plants Free Catalog
BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.rareseeds.com	2278 Baker Creek Rd Mansfield, MO 65704 (417)924-8917	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Herbs Free Catalog
BBB SEED	www.bbbseed.com	6595 Odell Place, Unit G Boulder, CO 80301 (303)530-1222	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Native Grasses Cover Crops Free Catalog
BLUESTONE PERENNIALS	www.bluestoneperennials.com	7211 Middle Ridge Rd Madison, OH 44057 (800)852-5243	Plants Perennial Flowers Ferns Vines Grasses Ground Covers Free Catalog
BOTANICAL INTERESTS	www.botanicalinterests.com	660 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 (877)821-4340	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Organic
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS	www.bountifulgardens.org	1712-D South Main St Willits CA 95490 (707)459-6410	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Grains Green Manures Compost Carbon Crops
BRENT AND BECKYS BULBS	www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com	7900 Daffodil Lane Gloucester, VA 23061 (877)661-2852	Flower Bulbs Free Catalog
BURNT RIDGE NURSERY & ORCHARDS	www.burntridgenursery.com	432 Burnt Ridge Road Onalaska, WA 98570 (360)985-2873	Fruiting Plants Nut Trees Ornamental Trees Northwest US Natives Free Catalog
BURPEE	www.burpee.com	300 Park Ave Warminster, PA 18974 (800)888-1447	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Flowers Perennials Herbs Heirlooms Fruit Plants Free Catalog
THE COOK’S GARDEN	www.cooksgarden.com	P. O. Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974 (800)457-9703	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Fruits Free Catalog
DIXONDALE FARMS	www.dixondalefarms.com	P.O. Box 129 Department WP12 Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 (877)367-1015	Plants Onions Leeks Free Catalog
DOLLAR SEED	dollarseed.com	Website	Non-GMO Seeds Vegetables Herbs Organic Sprouting Flowers Seeds for $1.00 Free Catalog
DUTCH GARDENS	www.dutchgardens.com	4 Currency Dr P.O. Box 2999 Bloomington, IL 61702 (800)944-2250	Bulbs Flowers Plants Roses Shrubs Vines Fruit Berries Free Catalog
FEDCO SEEDS	www.fedcoseeds.com	P.O. Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903 (207)426-9900	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers
GARDENS ALIVE!	www.gardensalive.com	5100 Schenley Place Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (513)354-1482	Environmentally Responsible Lawn Care Soil Care Plant Care Insect Pest Control Animal Pest Control Disease Control Weed Control Free Catalog
GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY	www.gardeners.com	128 Intervale Rd Burlington, VT 05401 (800)876-5520	Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
GURNEYS SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.gurneys.com	P.O. Box 4178 Greendale, IN 47025 (513)354-1492	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HARRIS SEEDS	www.harrisseeds.com	355 Paul Rd P.O. Box 24966 Rochester, NY 14624 (800)544-7938	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Flowers Fruits Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.heirloomseeds.com	278 E. Finley Dr West Finley, PA 15377 (724)663-5356	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Herbs Seed Starting Supplies On-line Orders Only
HENRY FIELD'S SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.henryfields.com	P.O. Box 397 Aurora, IN 47001 (513)354-1494	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS	www.highcountrygardens.com	P.O. Box 22398 Santa Fe, NM 87502 (800)925-9387	Flowers Herbs Roses Shrubs Trees Bulbs Lawns Wild Flowers Xeric Free Catalog
JACKSON & PERKINS	www.jacksonandperkins.com	2 Floral Ave Hodges, SC 29653 (800)292-4769	Roses Plants Vegetables Trees Ground Cover Garden Essentials Birding Free Catalog
JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS	www.johnnyseeds.com	P.O. Box 299 Waterville, ME 04903 (877)564-6697	Seeds Vegetables Fruits Flowers Herbs Cover Crops Tools and Supplies Free Catalog
KITAZAWA SEED CO.	www.kitazawaseed.com	201 4th St #206 Oakland, CA 94607 (510)595-1188	Seeds Asian Vegetables Free Catalog
LOGEE'S	www.logees.com	141 North St Danielson, CT 06239 (888)330-8038	Fruiting Rare Tropical Plants Orchids Free Catalog
NATIVE AMERICAN SEED	www.seedsource.com	Junction, TX 76849 (800)728-4043	Native Seeds Wildflowers Grasses Free Catalog
NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY	www.nicholsgardennursery.com	1190 Old Salem Rd NE Albany, OR 97321 (800)422-3985	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Lawn Mixes Cover Crops Roots-Bulbs-Garlic Beer & Wine Making Cheese Making Free Catalog
PARK SEED CO.	www.parkseed.com	3507 Cokesbury Rd Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-3369	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Herb Plants Fruit Plants Onion Sets Free Catalog
THE PEPPER GAL	www.peppergal.com	P.O. Box 23006 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33307 (954)537-5540	Pepper Seeds
PINETREE GARDEN SEEDS	www.superseeds.com	P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207)926-3400	Seeds Vegetables Bulbs Herbs Flowers Spices Teas Sprouting Tobacco Mushroom Kits Free Catalog
POTATO GARDEN	www.potatogarden.com	12101 2135 Rd Austin, CO 81410 (877)313-7783	Non-GMO Seed Potatoes Garlic Bulbs Free Catalog
THE SAMPLE SEED SHOP	www.sampleseeds.com	978 Riverview Blvd Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716)871-1137	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato
SEEDS OF CHANGE	www.seedsofchange.com	P.O. Box 4908 Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 (888)762-7333	Certified Organic Seeds Vegetables Salads & Greens Herbs Flowers Cover Crops AppleTrees Asparagus Crowns Rhubarb Crowns Free Catalog
SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE	www.seedsavers.org	3094 North Winn Rd Decorah, IA 52101 (563)382-5990	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato & Pepper Plants Seed Pototoes Free Catalog
THE SOUTHERN BULB CO.	www.southernbulbs.com	P.O. Box 350 Golden, TX 75444 (888)285-2486	Bulbs Flower Heirloom
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE	www.southernexposure.com	P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 (540)894-9480	Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Cotton Seed Pototoes Sweet Potato Slips Garlic and Onion Bulbs Grains Cover Crops Free Catalog
STOKES SEEDS	www.stokeseeds.com	P.O. Box 548 Buffalo, NY 14240 (800)396-9238	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
SUSTAINABLE SEED CO.	www.sustainableseedco.com	P.O. Box 38 Covelo CA, 95428 (877)620-7333	Seeds Non-GMO Heirloom Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Heritage Grains Tobacco Cover Crops
TERRITORIAL SEEDS	www.territorialseed.com	P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (800)626-0866	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Sprouting Seed Potatoes Garlic and Shallot Bulbs Onion Sets Cover Crops Mushrooms Fruit & Berry Citrus Free Catalog
TERROIR SEEDS	www.underwoodgardens.com	P.O. Box 4995 Chino Valley, AZ 86323 (888)878-5247	Seeds Heirloom Vegetables Herbs Flowers
TY TY NURSERY	www.tytyga.com	P.O. Box 130 Ty Ty, GA 31795 (888)758-2252	Plants Berries Bamboo Shrubs Vines Trees Fruit Nut Palm Shade Bulbs Flowers
TOMATO GROWERS SUPPLY CO.	www.tomatogrowers.com	P.O. Box 60015 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (888)478-7333	Plants Tomatoes Pepper Tomatillos Eggplant Free Catalog
URBAN FARMER	www.ufseeds.com	4105 W State Rd 32 Westfield, IN 46074 (317)600-2807	Seeds Non-GMO Vegetables Herbs Flowers Plants Organic Sprouts Cover Crops Free Catalog
VESEYS SEEDS	www.veseys.com	P.O. Box 9000 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, C1A 8K6 (800)363-7333	Seeds Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Bulbs Free Catalog
WAYSIDE GARDENS	www.waysidegardens.com	One Garden Lane Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-1124	Flowers Roses Trees Shrubs Vines Bulbs Fruit Free Catalog
WILDFLOWER FARM	www.wildflowerfarm.com	10195 Hwy 12 West R.R. #2, Coldwater, Ontario Canada L0K 1E0 ( 866)476-9453	Seeds Wildflowers Native Grasses Eco-Lawn
WILDSEED FARMS	www.wildseedfarms.com	100 Legacy Dr P.O. BOX 3000 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (800)848-0078	Seeds WIldflowers Native Grasses Herbs Free Catalog
WILLHITE SEED CO.	www.willhiteseed.com	P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 (800)828-1840	Seeds Vegetables Sweet Potato Plants Free Catalog
WOMACK NURSERY CO.	www.womacknursery.com	2551 State Hwy 6 De Leon, TX 76444 (855)993-6497	Trees Fruit Nut Plants Berries Grapes Roses

The post 2015 Seed Source Guide first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Benefits
Native plants offer many benefits over other traditional, but non-native, varieties. Among these are reduced irrigation needs, reduced pesticide use, reduced fertilizer use, resistance to pests and disease, and energy conservation. In essence, since they are able to grow and thrive on their own, you won’t have to put a whole lot of extra effort into caring for them once they are established.

I really like working in the garden; I find it relaxing to be out in nature and focused on whatever gardening task I happen to be working on. But let’s face it, we all know the meaning of the phrase “too much of a good thing.” By using native plants when ever possible, you can spend less time maintaining your landscape, and more time enjoying it.

Key to Success
The key factor in successfully integrating native plants, or any plant for that matter, into your home landscape is to chose the right plant, for the right purpose, that is adapted to the right part of the country. A native plant that is ideally suited to growing in shade in Seattle will probably not do well in full sun in Phoenix.

Irrigation and Fertilization
Native plants are used to “taking care of themselves” when it comes to their irrigation and fertilization needs. Because they are so well adapted to a particular climate, and the typical fluctuations in temperature and rainfall that occur over time, they do best without heavy supplemental irrigation and fertilization. We all sometimes get an “itchy trigger finger” with our garden hoses when we are out in the yard watering our plants. But over watering and fertilization will kill a native plant much faster than a regional drought.

Reduced Pesticide Use
Just as native plants are well adapted to a certain area, each area of the country has its own “native pests.” The pests and the native plants have been trying to eat or repel each other for a long time. They have eventually reached equilibrium where either a given native plant is not damaged at all, or very little, by these pests. Which means that you typically don’t have to use pesticides on them.

Energy Conservation
You may be wondering how a native plant can help with energy conservation. After all, you can’t plug your toaster into your Oak tree. But, by properly placing native trees, shrubs, and vines in your landscape, you can significantly modify the micro-climate around your home to make it more energy efficient and lower your utility bills.

Your Roof
Large trees that shade the roof of a house can reduce the temperature in the house by as much as 8 to 10 degrees. By using native deciduous trees, trees that lose their leaves in the winter, you get the best of both worlds. Shade from sun in the summer, and sunlight reaching your roof in the winter will help in keeping it warm.

Your Air-conditioner
Use smaller trees and shrubs to provide shade for outside air-conditioner units. Just be sure not to obstruct the airflow, and to leave room for service access. A study by the American Refrigeration Institute shows that this practice can reduce the temperature inside a home by as much as 3 degrees.

Your Wall
For exterior walls that receive severe summer sun, try using a vertical trellis, about one foot away from the wall, with a native vine growing on it. This will allow air circulation behind the trellis, the foliage will block the sun in the summer, and when it dies back in winter, will allow the sun to reach the house to help keep it warm.

Resources
Your local Cooperative Extension office is always a great source of information, not just about native plants, but about any plant, tree, vegetable, turf grass, or general gardening question you may have for your region. Check out my March 2011 article with links to the Cooperative Extension office for each state.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The University of Texas at Austin, has an excellent web tool in their Native Plant Information Network for finding the native plants that are specific to each state, and recommended for various purposes.

Summary
Native plants make an attractive and easy to care for addition to any home landscape. You don’t have to tear out all of your existing grass, trees, plants, and shrubs to enjoy them. Try different varieties and locations to find what works best in your yard. Remember, once they are established, to just let them take care of themselves, and you can just sit back and enjoy.

The post Native Plants Save Water, Time, Money, and Energy first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

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The post The How Do Gardener 2012 Calendar first appeared on The How Do Gardener.