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

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!
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

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
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 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