Direct Seeding of Native Plants

Direct seeding labor rate is $50 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours. 
Fee includes all native seed supplied. 
Seed and species used are chosen to suit the site and the objectives of the landowner.

All trees, shrubs and wildflowers in the wild originate from seed. Direct seeding mimics what naturally occurs in nature but with defined goals and measurable results. Complete plant communities can be established on large acreages using this simple technique. Direct seeding is the most efficient and cost effective way to establish large numbers of plants under natural conditions. No other method of establishing plants can achieve the same results with so little effort and at so small a cost. You will be able to achieve so much more compared to purchasing nursery grown plants or bareroot seedlings.

Seed can be introduced at each stage of vegetative succession, old field, shrubland, young woodland and mature woodland.  Each successional stage requires the introduction of specific plants adapted to that particular stage.  Choosing the right plants will ensure that the plant community that you are establishing will flourish.

Species are chosen that provide both ornamental interests and ecological benefits. The introduction of key species serves to increase biological diversity of the land, the number of wildlife species present, the visual impact of the land and your overall enjoyment of the property.  Most plants provide beautiful flowers, colorful fruits and stunning fall color.  Diverse plant communities support the greatest number of wildlife species such as song birds and butterflies that beautfy your surroundings.

Why is it necessary to restore native plants? Won't they grow on thier own? Won't nature take care of things?

Most land today even land completely covered in vegetation shows the results of decades of human impact. Non-native plants species are running rampant across the landscape and most plant communities are missing the majority of species that should be present but are not. Missing populations of native plants have no way to reestablish themselves. Direct seeding is the efficient low cost way to reverse this trend and enhance the biological health of your property for your enjoyment.

White Oak Nursery has been growing native plants from seed for over 20 years.  WON hand collects the seed of each species locally and understands each ones growing requirements.   The same results can be achieved in nature as occurs in the nursery. You only need to look around you to see what nature achieves through the natural process of direct seeding. 

Specific results cannot be guaranteed or the number of plants that will be established by direct seeding.  There are just too many variables in nature.  But a minimum rate of introduction can be assured.  The average rate of placement of seed in the ground is between 300 to 500 locations per hour with several thousand seed planted.  If 50% of the sites produce seedlings, a reasonable  survival rate, the cost per plant is 15 to 25 cents per plant. That is a pretty good value.

Common species introduced into different habitats.

 
Blood root seed collected in less than 1 hour. This demonsstrates the abundance of seed that some plants produce and the efficiency of collecting seed. Each seed has the potential to grow into a new plant.

Direct seeding a mixture of woodland species. Direct seeding mimics how plants reproduce in nature. A large number of plant species can be introduced at one time. This process can be used to restore and enrich nearly any type of plant community. Turn vacant fields into biologically rich shrubland or forest. Restore native widlfowers and the understory layer to woodlands.

Chokecherry seed sprouting after collecting and seed treatment.
A high percentage of introduced seed will germinate and develop into seedings.

this page updated February20, 2008