The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is trying to link producers and users so that sparse supplies can be found by those who really need them.
“It’s very difficult to find the native plant resources right now,” said society co-ordinator Andy Hammermeister.
The society is putting together a listing service that will allow growers to describe their operations, list what they are selling and give prices. People who want to buy native plant seeds will be able to find suppliers from the list, which will be available both on paper and on the internet, Hammermeister said.
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Finding native plant seed isn’t easy. There is little native prairie left in Saskatchewan. Most that still exists is used as pasture and not for seed.
The few seed stocks available are chased by many buyers. Oil and gas companies often have to seed sites back to native prairie when they are abandoned. Horticulturalists are keen to grow native plants for city buyers who want to convert their gardens.
Nutraceutical growers want seed stocks for greenhouse growing and because they want to reduce the hand harvesting of wild plants that is pushing some species toward elimination.
And cattle producers want native plant seed so they can take pastures out of tame hays.
Hammermeister said he hopes the new service, which should be available by fall, helps encourage more growers to turn to native plants.
The Alberta Native Plant Council already has a listing service, so Alberta suppliers will not be in the society’s list.
Manitoba doesn’t have a comprehensive listing, so the Saskatchewan list may include Manitoba suppliers.
