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In nature, pioneer plants are those plants that show up first after a fire or other disturbance, and create a safe and comfortable environment for other plants to start growing. Think of pioneers as a scab on any injury to the landscape. Pioneers are hardy plants that can establish in harsh environments, and once they have settled in they provide protection from sun, rain, and wind. They improve the soil health by shading the soil and preventing water loss. They also hold the soil in place preventing erosion and root disturbance, and add soil bacteria and fungi to the site that help provide extra nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water to the plants.
Pioneers create an ideal nursery environment for more sensitive species. Introducing pioneers to a site is the first step in ecosystem recovery. They are ideal for those areas in your garden where other plants struggle to grow and can pave the way for future plantings of more sensitive plants. It is also advisable to use some pioneer plants on new sites after building is completed.
Here are some indigenous beauties that are ideal for breaking new ground:
Join us this Friday 14 January for our FREE online workshop on ‘Breaking New Ground – Pioneer Plants’, with Garden Guru Sue Both.
Please use the following login details to join us at 11am sharp over Zoom:
Meeting ID: 870 4398 6742
Passcode: 877760
or use the following direct link: https://bit.ly/3f8RxaQ
If you have any gardening questions, feel free to contact your friendly Garden Guru – Sue Both at: sueb@gardenhop.co.za