Our Practices
Almost all of our participating nurseries use growing and land management practices that aim to work with natural systems, support biodiversity, build healthy soils, reduce synthetic inputs, and foster resilient ecosystems. This is also called ecological growing.
A Big Focus on Native Species & Beneficial Species
Our cooperative emphasizes native plants and other ecologically beneficial species that support pollinators, wildlife, healthy soils, and resilient ecosystems. While many of us specialize primarily in Maine native plants, some may also offer carefully selected non-native species that are well-behaved, non-invasive (naturalized), edible, medicinal, or otherwise valuable within ecological growing systems.
We believe thoughtful plant selection, transparency, and biodiversity all play important roles in creating healthier landscapes and more resilient communities.
Certified Organic vs. Organically Grown
Many of our nurseries are not certified organic, but that doesn’t mean we they don't use organic practices. Organic certification can be a barrier to entry for small nurseries, so many of our nurseries choose to utilize the methods without actual certification. This involves composting without the use of commercial fertilizers, using natural pesticides, physical weed barriers, etc.
Limited Use of Pesticides/Herbicides/Fungicides
These substances are used to control pests, fungi, and “weeds”. None of our nurseries use synthetic or systemic versions of these substances. Instead, we may utilize natural versions. For example, things like neem oil, diatomaceous earth, garlic spray, vinegar, sheet mulching, or just good old-fashioned weeding are all considered natural methods!
Increasing Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life within an ecosystem, including diversity of species, genetics, habitats, and ecological relationships. All of our nurseries strive to provide plants that increase biodiversity. Reintroducing native plants to areas that have been stripped of their natural ecology by humans is a huge focus for us. Doing so provides food and pollen sources for wildlife/pollinators and even us humans. Thereby enhancing and supporting more biodiversity and beautifying our landscapes at the same time.
Now…What is a Native Plant?
Many of our nurseries consider themselves a “native plant nursery" but what does the term native plant actually mean? Here are the ways in which our coop defines these terms!
Native Plant: A plant historically known to grow in a region without direct human introduction. In ecological discussions, “native” generally refers to plants present prior to large-scale modern human movement and introduction of species.
Maine Native: A plant historically known to grow within the current boundaries of Maine.
Northeastern Native: A plant native to the northeastern United States and adjacent regions of southeastern Canada.
Near Native: A plant that is not historically native to Maine, but originates from nearby regions with similar climates and ecological conditions. Near-native plants may still provide ecological value and are often considered in climate-adaptive plantings.
Geography: Geography plays an important role in native plant ecology. Climate, soils, geology, and wildlife relationships can vary greatly across regions, shaping how plants adapt over time. Terms like Maine native, ecotype, and seed provenance help provide context about where plants come from and how they may interact with local ecosystems and growing conditions.
Ecoregion: A geographic region defined by shared climate, soils, geology, hydrology, plants, animals, and ecological relationships rather than political boundaries.
Ecotype: A genetically distinct population of a species that has adapted over time to a specific environment or ecoregion.
Local Ecotype: Plants grown from seed collected relatively close to where they will ultimately be planted. These plants may be more adapted to local climate, seasonal rhythms, soils, and wildlife interactions.
Seed Provenance: The geographic origin and sourcing history of seed, including where it was collected and whether it came from wild populations, cultivated stock, or another nursery.
Non-Native Plants & Invasives
When discussing native plants, it is also necessary to define non-native species. Some of our nurseries may grow non-native plants as well, but we do not purposefully grow anything that is considered invasive. Usually, these other types of plants fall into these categories:
Non-Native Plant: A plant species that was introduced to a region through human activity, either intentionally or unintentionally, and did not historically occur there on its own. Non-native plants are not necessarily invasive, and some may provide ecological, edible, medicinal, or ornamental value depending on the species and context. Our nurseries only grow non-native plants that have useful properties and are not at risk of becoming invasive.
Invasive/Ecologically Disruptive Species: A non-native species whose spread causes ecological, environmental, or economic harm by disrupting existing ecosystems or outcompeting native species. The terminology here puts all the blame on the plant, when in reality, humans are likely to blame for its introduction. However, this doesn’t change the fact that these ecologically disruptive species can cause harm to native populations of plants.
Our coop does not purposefully grow/sell any invasive species.
Propagation & Plant Origin
Here are some of the ways in which our nurseries propagate plants!
