When maintaining a garden of native plants, you should:

When maintaining a garden of native plants, you should:

• A. Fertilize the garden regularly with 10-10-10
• B. Water the garden weekly
• C. Not fertilize established plants
• D. Use a slow-release fertilizer after establishment

Answer: (C)

Native plant gardens thrive on the nutrient levels already present in local soil, and they’re designed to work with natural nutrient cycles. Once established, these plants don’t need regular feeding because extra nutrients can push growth in ways that aren’t beneficial for a sustainable native bed. Adding fertilizer to established natives often leads to lush, tender growth that uses more water and becomes more attractive to pests, while also encouraging weeds and non-native species that take advantage of the extra nutrients. It can also cause nutrients to leach into waterways, disturbing the wider ecosystem. A better approach is to support establishment with mulch or compost at planting, then water deeply and appropriately to develop strong root systems. If soil tests show a real deficiency, apply targeted amendments rather than a blanket fertilizer routine, but in general, established native plants should not be fertilized.

Native plant gardens thrive on the nutrient levels already present in local soil, and they’re designed to work with natural nutrient cycles. Once established, these plants don’t need regular feeding because extra nutrients can push growth in ways that aren’t beneficial for a sustainable native bed.

Adding fertilizer to established natives often leads to lush, tender growth that uses more water and becomes more attractive to pests, while also encouraging weeds and non-native species that take advantage of the extra nutrients. It can also cause nutrients to leach into waterways, disturbing the wider ecosystem.

A better approach is to support establishment with mulch or compost at planting, then water deeply and appropriately to develop strong root systems. If soil tests show a real deficiency, apply targeted amendments rather than a blanket fertilizer routine, but in general, established native plants should not be fertilized.