Revegetating Disturbed Lands
Revegetating an area that has been disturbed or has had the vegetation removed, will protect the area from erosive forces, such as water, wind, foot traffic or excavation. Revegetating helps stabilize loose soil using the plants’ roots to bind soil together. Vegetation will help break the impact of a raindrop before it hits the soil and will slow down water runoff as it flows over the land, allowing water to soak into the ground, rather than erode the soil.
Using native plant species to revegetate an area offers a number of advantages: they are often able to compete with exotics (non-native species) and blend in with existing native plant communities. Native plant species are adapted to the local conditions so, once established, these plants will usually form self-sustaining plant communities that don’t require as much maintenance, and they will eventually provide valuable habitat for local wildlife species. Until your native plants have established, they may require maintenance to prevent non-native plants from creeping in while your new plantings become established. You may need to remove undesirable species; prepare the soil bed; water the area and reseed if there is poor survival. Unfortunately, it may not be as easy as sowing the seed.
Species Selection
Plant Hardiness Zones are ratings given to areas based on annual extreme minimum temperatures; the lower the number, the lower the annual minimum temperature in that zone. In Saskatchewan, the plant hardiness zones are generally 4a-2a, with a longer growing season in the south, and fewer frost free days as you go further north. Many local nurseries and garden centres can assist in choosing plants that will survive for the growing season in Saskatchewan. However, if you are looking to establish plants that will minimize maintenance and thrive in the area, then the seeds or plants should be tolerant of the environmental conditions that exist at the site.
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan maintains a list of companies/organizations and individuals that supply native seed and nursery stock in Saskatchewan and surrounding provinces and states. In addition to the many other resources available on their website, they provide a number of very good resources on restoration and revegetation.
Native Plant Material and Service Supplier List
To restore or rehabilitate disturbed shoreline areas, the Water Security Agency recommends planting deep-rooted species (such as willow, alder, dogwood or saskatoons) in combination with grass or forb species (wildflowers) that will form continuous ground cover. Be aware that there are also plant species that are designated as Prohibited, Noxious and Nuisance Weeds under Saskatchewan’s Weed Control Act. These plants should not be considered as part of any revegetation treatment.