The following information sheets are available as pdf files:

Nursery topics
Native plants for urban landscapes - species list for ornamental plantings
Native plants for screening septic mounds - species list for screening septic mounds including planting maintenance recommendations
Why local genetics? - article on why it is important to choose native plants from local genetic stock
Plants we do not grow - some plants we do not grow and the reasons why
Prairie perennials - descriptions of South Sound prairie species
Forest perennials - descriptions of South Sound forest species

Please see our catalog for information on more nursery topics

Project planning
Fall planting - explains why fall is the best time of year to plant!
Winter planting - considerations for winter planting.
Plant size - information to help you determine the right size plant material for your project
Calculating plant quantities/plant spacing guidelines - general guidelines on calculating plant quantities, including spacing for low, medium, and high density plantings.
Availability of native plants in western Washington - species, forms, and sizes of native plants generally available
Plant bid request - a list of information a nursery must have to efficiently bid on your plant list; also includes a bid request template (pdf file; print to use)
Installation bid request - a list of information landscape contractors must have to efficiently bid on your project, to help you get increased and more consistent responses; also includes a bid request template.
Inspecting plant material - be sure the material you receive meets your high expectations.

Site preparation
Earthwork and site preparation - recommendations on timing, decompaction, habitat features, and weed control
Mulches - table outlining functions, recommended depth, sources, and costs for various mulch materials (wood chips, bark, straw, etc.)
Compost - descriptions of various products available and a discussion on different types of applications
Compost socks - an explanation of this erosion control technique, including installation specifics
Girdling trees - an overview of how girdling works, the best tools to use and which species can be girdled
Soil treatments - drawbacks and benefits for fertilizers, amendments, and mulches to help you choose the best treatment for your project site
Limiting soil compaction - reduce impact on a planting site through comprehensive site assessment, planning and scheduling, and low-impact practices and techniques
Restoring compacted soils - foster a healthier soil through mulch, soil amendments and various decompaction methods
Weed control by goats - what weed species are eaten, how it works and contact information for local companies
Weed control: English ivy - descriptions of the damage English ivy does to other vegetation and to steep slopes, plus how to remove
Weed control: Field bindweed - various control methods by mechanical, light limitation and chemical means
Weed control: Herb Robert - various control methods for this newer invader
Weed control: Himalayan blackberry - strategies for control
Weed control: Invasive knotweeds - strategies for control for various invasive knotweed species prevalent in western Washington
Weed control: Reed canarygrass - methods to control this aggressive wetland non-native by mechanical, chemical, and competitive means
Weed control: Scotch broom - methods to control this woody invasive by manual, mechanical, and chemical means

Vegetation
Evaluating plant health before planting - how to inspect the plants you ordered to decide if they are healthy stock
Marine shoreline species - a list of plant species that commonly occur on marine shorelines and bluffs
Information on live stakes and cuttings - overview of types of material, how to order and handle the material, and tips for success
Live stakes species - species information for livestakes to help you plan your project
Role of vegetation in slope stability - the various ways vegetation helps to stabilize slopes
Salvaging native plants - recommended species to target, equipment needed and other details helpful for staging a successful salvage operation
Weeds to watch out for - list of invasive plants newer to western Washington (June 2009)
Weeds to watch out for - list of invasive plants newer to western Washington (June 2008)
Weeds to watch out for - list of invasive plants new to western Washington (Fall 2007)
Prevegetated coir logs - information on improving erosion control and vegetation establishment with prevegetated logs made from woven coconut fiber
The challenges of establishing Pacific madrone - describes the fungal diseases to which madrone is susceptible and suggests the types of planting sites that may increase success rates
Restoration superstars - these plans perform well over a wide variety of site conditions

Please see our catalog for more information on vegetation and species selection topics

Soils
Native soils of western Washington - basic overview of the derivation and characteristics of soils of western Washington
Limiting soil compaction - reduce impact on a planting site through comprehensive site assessment, planning and scheduling, and low-impact practices and techniques
Restoring compacted soils - foster a healthier soil through mulch, soil amendments and various decompaction methods

Installation
Plant storage and care on site - as you are getting ready to receive plants at your installation site, consider how to best care for them until they go in the ground
Planting tips - recommendations on planting depth, root disturbance, watering in, and staking; link to planting video and brochure produced by WSU Cooperative Extension: Plant it Right
Planting diagram - drawing of a well-installed plant
Plant protectors - information on protecting plants from wildlife and the benefits of tree shelters
Weed cloth - installation specifics and uses of weed cloth (also known as landscape fabric)
Erosion control fabric - information on various types of products available and installation specifics
What to do about beavers!?! - ecological role of beavers, effects on restoration projects and how you can protect your plantings
What to do about geese!?! - the effects on restoration projects by Canada geese and how you can protect your plantings
Fascine installation - how and why to use fascines for site stabilization projects
Summer irrigation - descriptions and recommendations of irrigation systems for summer watering, especially important for spring plantings

General
Irrigation systems for restoration and mitigation sites - paper presented at the 2003 SER/SWS Northwest Chapter Annual Meeting; includes summary table and irrigation schematic
Restoring Washington: One native plant at a time - article discussing the restoration work performed by Sound Native Plants, published in the WA Farm Bureau's Spring 2008 issue of 'Neighbors'
Estimating slope - slope terminology and estimation methods
Wetland buffers - explanation of the ecological functions and importance of wetland buffers as well as various permit requirements
Wetland delineations - explanation of a "jurisdictional" wetland and the wetland delineation process
Shoreline and wetland permit variances - explanation of the types and conditions of permit variances
Priority habitats - overview of what priority habitats are and how these areas are regulated
Priority species - explanation of priority species and the regulations that apply
Restoration resources for projects on private land - an overview of public programs providing grants and other resources for restoration projects performed on private land
What is native? - basic overview of plant taxonomy and how we define the "native" in Sound Native Plants
Native demonstration gardens in western Washington - a list of gardens in our area that are open to the public and offer interpretive resources - visit these gardens to learn native plant identification
Indicators of potentially unstable slopes - focuses on hydrophilic (water-loving) vegetation and the effects of moving water on soil

References and resources - list of field guides, organizations, periodicals, and books that we have found more or less useful on native plants, native plant gardening, and landscape management topics