Let's Talk Some Midwest Natives

Episode Introduction

In today's episode we interview Nathan Duffy, owner of Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln and dive into what native plants are low maintenance, what cold stratification is, his take on the native plants dialogue, and more!

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a freelance garden designer under the name Victory Cottage Gardens, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Guest Nathan Duffy

Nathan is the owner of Midwest Natives Nursery, a production and retail greenhouse operation in Lincoln, Nebraska that specializes in the sustainable cultivation of Great Plains-native perennial wildflowers and grasses. Nathan attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he graduated with a degree in Horticulture in 2018. Having become fascinated with native pollinators and wildflowers during his studies but noticing a lack of availability of such plants at local garden centers, he felt compelled to put his talents to good use and founded Midwest Natives Nursery that same year in order to share his passion and vision with the community.

Thank you, Nathan, for helping us provide some great content in today's talk!

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Episode Content

Midwest Natives Nursery

-only native plants, no cultivars

-a local, truly full-scale nursery with only occasional plant stock acquired elsewhere

Why regionally native?

State boundaries are arbitrary. Regionally is locally in many respects.

Why doesn't Nathan sell more fall stuff?

A lot of plants need colder temps to germinate. Spring plants often sell out and to have more for fall, it all has to be regrown again from seed. Now you know...

Cold stratification? That sounds like something super science-y.

A lot of seeds need certain conditions, like cold (winter) conditions, to germinate. Thus, throwing those babies in a wet, coffee filter and then a single-use plastic baggie we assure you we will reuse many, many times. Boiling, soaking, planting in milk jugs: us plant nerds know how to have fun. Find some detailed germination guides at www.prairiemoon.com.

We want more than 300+ kinds of plants, Nathan. What gives?

Nathan assures us he is going to try to produce woodland spring...