Whidbey conservation district opens native plant pre-orders for spring

The Whidbey Island Conservation District is offering island residents a chance to buy western Washington native trees, shrubs and groundcovers through a limited pre-order program running through Jan. 30. Plants are sold in bundles as one- to two-year stock, either bare-root or plugs, with pickup scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at Greenbank Farm.

The sale makes locally adapted plant species available to gardeners, landowners and community groups preparing spring plantings. Native species often need less irrigation and fewer chemical inputs than nonnative ornamentals and can improve soil stability and water quality when planted in riparian areas or on slopes. For a rural and shoreline community like Whidbey Island, those benefits translate to more resilient yards, stronger habitat corridors for pollinators and birds, and fewer runoff impacts to creeks and Puget Sound shorelines.

Stock is limited and organizers are encouraging early ordering to avoid disappointment. Orders must be placed by Jan. 30 for the March 5 pickup. The plants are offered as bare-root stock or plugs in bundle quantities suited to restoration projects, home buffers and pollinator gardens. Residents planning shoreline plantings, erosion control, or neighborhood habitat projects may find the bundles a cost-effective way to access native stock before the busy spring season.

Beyond individual yards, access to affordable native plants can shape community-level outcomes in flood mitigation, water quality and urban wildlife habitat. For households facing tight budgets, community partners and neighborhood groups often coordinate purchases to share labor and costs; limited stock means equity concerns are worth considering so that small-scale restoration and low-income gardeners are not left out of early sales. The conservation district’s sale is one practical tool in long-term efforts to steward local ecosystems while supporting everyday public health through cleaner water and greener, cooler landscapes.

Pickup at Greenbank Farm provides a central, familiar location for islanders to collect orders and talk with conservation staff. Residents who want to participate should contact the Whidbey Island Conservation District to place orders and confirm pickup details before the Jan. 30 deadline.

For readers planning spring projects, this sale is a reminder to think ahead: securing native plants now can reduce time and cost later while helping shorelines, streams and pollinators recover. Expect pickup day on March 5, and act soon if you want native stock for spring planting.