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Quiz: Planting, Maintenance, and Sourcing

Test your knowledge of site preparation, planting techniques, maintenance practices, and responsible sourcing of native plants.

1. What is the single most important factor in whether a new native planting succeeds or fails?

  1. Choosing the most expensive plants available
  2. Proper site preparation, including removing existing vegetation and reducing the weed seed bank
  3. Planting during a full moon for optimal root growth
  4. Watering every day for the first year
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Proper site preparation is the single most important factor in native planting success. It involves removing existing vegetation (especially turf grass and perennial weeds), reducing the weed seed bank, and creating conditions that favor the native species you want to establish. Skipping site prep is the number one reason native plantings disappoint. Plan on at least one full growing season for preparation, and two seasons for sites with aggressive perennial weeds.

Concept Tested: Site Preparation

See: Chapter 11

2. What is seed stratification, and why do many Minnesota native plant seeds require it?

  1. A method of arranging seeds in layers in the soil for even distribution
  2. A cold, moist treatment that breaks seed dormancy, mimicking the winter conditions seeds experience naturally before germinating in spring
  3. A technique for coating seeds with fertilizer to improve germination rates
  4. A process of drying seeds in the sun to harden their outer shells
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Seed stratification is a cold, moist treatment period that breaks the dormancy mechanisms in many native plant seeds. In nature, seeds fall in autumn, experience months of cold and moisture through winter, and germinate in spring. When starting seeds indoors or in controlled settings, gardeners must mimic this process by placing seeds in moist medium in a refrigerator for 4-12 weeks. Species like Purple Coneflower and Butterfly Milkweed require stratification to germinate.

Concept Tested: Seed Stratification

See: Chapter 11

3. Why is sourcing plants from local ecotypes important for native gardening in Minnesota?

  1. Local ecotypes are always less expensive than plants from other regions
  2. Plants grown from local seed sources are genetically adapted to your specific region's climate, growing season, and soil conditions
  3. Local ecotypes are the only plants legally allowed in Minnesota gardens
  4. Local ecotypes always have showier flowers than out-of-state plants
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Local ecotypes are populations of native plants adapted to your specific region's climate, day length, growing season, and soil conditions through generations of natural selection. A Big Bluestem grown from seed collected in southern Minnesota will be better adapted to local conditions than one from Kansas seed. Reputable native plant nurseries track the geographic source of their seed and can help you choose plants adapted to your area.

Concept Tested: Local Ecotype Importance

See: Chapter 11

4. What is the difference between a "nativar" and a wild-type native plant?

  1. Nativars are native plants found in the wild; wild types are grown in nurseries
  2. Nativars are cultivated selections of native species bred for specific traits like color or size, while wild types are genetically unmodified natural populations
  3. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
  4. Wild types are always larger and more vigorous than nativars
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A nativar (native cultivar) is a cultivated selection of a native species that has been bred or selected for specific ornamental traits such as compact size, different flower color, or double flowers. Wild-type native plants are genetically unmodified natural populations. While nativars may look attractive, research suggests that some provide less ecological value — for example, double-flowered nativars may produce less nectar and pollen, and unusual colors may be less visible to pollinators. When ecological function is the priority, wild types are generally preferred.

Concept Tested: Nativars Vs Wild Types

See: Chapter 11

  1. Never mow a native planting under any circumstances
  2. Mow to ground level every two weeks to keep the area tidy
  3. Mow to a height of 6-8 inches to cut above native seedlings while knocking back taller annual weeds
  4. Mow only the edges for a clean border appearance
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. During the first growing season, mowing the entire planting to a height of 6-8 inches is an effective weed suppression strategy. Most native seedlings remain below this height in their first year, so mowing cuts above them while removing taller annual weeds that would shade them out and compete for resources. This targeted mowing approach helps natives establish without being overwhelmed by fast-growing weeds during the critical first year.

Concept Tested: First Year Maintenance

See: Chapter 11

6. When is fall planting often preferred over spring planting for native plugs in Minnesota?

  1. Fall is preferred because plants need cold weather to grow roots
  2. Fall planting (September to early October) gives roots time to establish before freeze-up, and plants experience less transplant stress and get a head start in spring
  3. Fall is the only time native plant nurseries sell plugs
  4. Fall planting eliminates the need for any watering
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Fall planting (September to early October) is often preferred because cooler temperatures and autumn rains reduce transplant stress, and roots have time to establish before the ground freezes. When spring arrives, fall-planted natives are already rooted in and can begin growing immediately, giving them a significant advantage over spring-planted plugs that are still recovering from transplant. Both spring and fall planting work, but fall often produces better first-year results.

Concept Tested: Plug Planting Techniques

See: Chapter 11

7. What ethical principles should guide personal seed collection from wild native plant populations?

  1. Collect as much seed as possible to ensure you have enough for your project
  2. Never collect seed from any wild plant under any circumstances
  3. Collect from large, healthy populations only, take no more than a small percentage of available seed, and never collect from rare or threatened species
  4. Always collect seed from the rarest plants to help preserve them in your garden
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Ethical seed collection follows several principles: only collect from large, healthy populations that can sustain the loss; take no more than a small percentage (typically 10% or less) of available seed; never collect from rare, threatened, or endangered species; obtain permission from landowners; and never collect on public land without authorization. The goal is to obtain genetic material for restoration or gardening without harming the source population.

Concept Tested: Seed Collection Ethics

See: Chapter 11

8. You planted a native prairie garden last spring and notice it looks sparse with mostly weeds visible. Is this normal, and what should you do?

  1. The planting has failed; remove everything and start over with different species
  2. This is abnormal; apply heavy fertilizer to boost native plant growth
  3. This is normal for the first year because natives invest in roots before tops; continue weed management and be patient through the establishment period
  4. Replace all the plants with faster-growing non-native alternatives
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. First-year native plantings commonly look sparse and weedy because native plants invest heavily in root development before producing significant above-ground growth. The prairie saying is "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap." Continue diligent weed management through the establishment period (typically 2-3 years), and the native plants will gradually fill in and begin to outcompete weeds as their deep root systems develop.

Concept Tested: First Year Maintenance

See: Chapter 11

9. What role do cover crops like oats play when included in a native seed mix?

  1. They provide permanent tall structure to the planting
  2. They fix nitrogen in the soil for native plants to use
  3. They provide quick ground cover that suppresses weeds in the first season, then die off as perennial natives establish
  4. They attract pollinators that help native seeds germinate
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Short-lived annual cover crops like oats germinate quickly and provide ground cover that suppresses weeds during the critical first growing season. They shade out weed seedlings and reduce erosion on bare soil. Because they are annuals, they die off after completing their life cycle, making way for the slower-establishing perennial native plants that will eventually dominate the planting. This is a common and effective strategy in prairie restoration seedings.

Concept Tested: Weed Suppression Methods

See: Chapter 11

10. Why should you read plant labels carefully when purchasing "native" plants from garden centers?

  1. Garden centers frequently mislabel invasive species as native plants
  2. Some plants labeled "native" may be nativars with reduced ecological value, or may originate from distant regions with different genetics than local ecotypes
  3. Plant labels always contain errors about bloom time and height
  4. Reading labels is only necessary for plants that cost more than ten dollars
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Plants marketed as "native" at garden centers may be nativars (cultivated selections with modified traits like different flower colors or compact size) that provide less ecological value than wild types. They may also originate from seed sources far from Minnesota, meaning they lack the genetic adaptations to local conditions. Look for specific information about provenance (seed origin), prefer wild-type species over named cultivars when possible, and purchase from reputable native plant nurseries that track their seed sources.

Concept Tested: Plant Labeling Standards

See: Chapter 11

Ready to use these ideas rather than recall them? Try the Applied Quiz for this chapter — ten scenario questions that put you in a situation and ask what to do.