William ErricksonAgriculture and Natural Resources AgentRutgers Cooperative ExtensionFreehold
Incorporating native plants into the ornamental landscape has emerged as a growing market trend as homeowners and businesses are becoming increasingly educated about the important ecosystem services that are provided by native species. As such, there are also a growing number of native plant nurseries and landscape professionals that are propagating native species to meet this growing demand. However, the successful production and care of native plants requires best management practices that are specific to the species that are being grown. In response to this need from the green industry, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has developed replicable, applied programming focused on supporting growers who are currently producing or have an interest in producing native plants. This program involved disseminating a state-wide native plant needs assessment survey that had responses from 60 nursery and landscape professionals and helped to guide future resource development based on the most important topics identified by these stakeholders. Since the program’s inception in September 2021, there have been 14 presentations to a total of 705 green industry professionals related to commercial native plant production and management. Additionally, a day-long program was developed and delivered focusing on native species replacements for invasives, soil fertility and site conditions for native plants, integrated pest management (IPM) for native species, disease management for native species, and native plant propagation. Three companion presentations were also delivered to 376 home gardeners and Rutgers Master Gardeners in an effort to build market demand and focus on native species that are currently available from local growers. Field trials have begun to evaluate native grasses, native azaleas, and deer resistant native flowering shrubs for their potential adoption or increased use in the trade. Two field tours with a total of 100 participants were hosted in 2022. Program evaluation surveys were distributed following each event and participants indicated knowledge gain in best management practices for native plants, a high likelihood of incorporating the information that they learned in the program, and an indication that they will plant additional acres of native species. Future directions of this program based on feedback from commercial horticulture professionals will emphasize native plant replacements for invasive species, deer resistance of native plants, and evaluations of new native plant cultivars.
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