Earth Day is a time to reconnect with nature and consider the importance of our environment and our place in nurturing it. It’s also a reminder of the healing power of nature if we take the time to connect with it. During the emerging spring, one of the ways prairie dwellers make that connection is through planning for gardens and backyard floral displays. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has some Earth Day ideas for making your backyard a natural haven featuring native plants. 

The not-for-profit land conservation organization says that growing native plants in your garden is a small act of conservation that helps urban wildlife and biodiversity in many ways. 

Dan Kraus, NCC’s senior conservation biologist, says actions we take close to home can help some wildlife populations, improve the health of urban ecosystems and foster our connection with nature. “We often think of the spaces where we live as separate from nature, but they are an integral part of the ecosystem. The plants we choose to grow will have a significant influence on the diversity and abundance of native wildlife. Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers support a greater diversity of pollinators and other insects than traditional horticultural plants and are an opportunity to learn about local biodiversity.”

It’s a good idea to resist the temptation of heading to the rural roadside to dig up the native floral growth, says Sarah Ludlow, conservation science coordinator with the NCC.

“We strongly discourage people from digging up wildflowers or plants that they see growing in the wild. Odds are that if you do that, the plant won’t survive. There’s relationships that have the soil, microbes and fungus it needs, and if you remove the plant from that location, it’s not going to have that and it will probably die.”

The extensive root systems of most wild plants will also result in the plants’ demise if they are removed from their habitat. 

The better alternative for introducing native species is to start from seeds that are available through a variety of growers and suppliers. Once the seeds have been established inside in containers, they will be ready to go into the garden or beds once outside temperatures and soil conditions permit. 

As a starting point, Ludlow recommends the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan which has a listing of reputable vendors. She notes that some garden centres will bring in native plants. The key to identifying those plants is a bit of research ahead of time and familiarity with some of the latin names to pinpoint the exact species. 

Much has been made recently of the restorative powers of nature, particularly when it comes to mental health through the challenges of the pandemic. On Earth Day, it’s an important reminder of our responsibility for stewardship for our natural world, but also the day serves as a reminder that there are many benefits to be derived from nature, not the least of which is our mental and physical well-being. 

“It gives you that little boost and makes you feel better. Personally, I find that if I’m stressed or feeling a little overwhelmed with how the world is, even just sitting outside in the backyard or garden, listening to the birds, maybe watching the bees and butterflies is a really good escape.”

Once the short term effects of a chilly low pass us by, it will be time to head back into the outdoors and think about adding some of our own homegrown beauty to our surroundings.