Profile: Naturally Native Nursery
Few in our community understand the concept of growing native plants. Jan Hunter, sole owner of Naturally Native Nursery in Bowling Green , seeks to change this.
In it's 5 th year in business, Naturally Native Nursery (NNN) continues to provide northern Ohio with a source of plants that have become completely adapted to the area. This means that the plants "require no herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, extra watering, mowing, and overall, less management" says Hunter. By means of evolution, native plants are resistant to the area's wind conditions, extreme summer heat, and harsh winters. Since Hunter's plants need no chemical help, NNN is completely organic, certainly distinguishing Hunter's nursery from others.
Hunter became involved in growing natives while working in land management and conservation. A few friends and colleagues asked her where they could find natives, and, realizing there was no provider, she started growing plants for them. Slowly, the small operation evolved into a full business.
NNN is located on State Rt. 582, just west of Rt. 25. Hunter has two greenhouses, and three acres of native-only land that include beautiful gardens and a newly installed prairie.
NNN is primarily managed by Hunter, and is supplemented by several other part-time, seasonal employees.
The nursery is both retail and wholesale. On the wholesale side, Jan supplies the City of Toledo , Toledo Metroparks, the University of Toledo , The Nature Conservancy, Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative, Bowling Green City Parks , and other local nurseries.
Aside from the retail and wholesale business, Hunter offers site visits, consultation, and custom landscaping. With her extensive background in nature conservation and land management, she knows what works both visually and environmentally.
To increase awareness in the characteristics and benefits of growing natives, Hunter focuses much of her effort on community outreach and education. Recently, a group of summer campers helped create a native butterfly garden. Hunter also gives lectures about the benefits of growing native plants and their medicinal properties.
A great deal of Hunter's time is set aside for reading others' research and conducting her own. The constant inflow of new knowledge and information allows her business to always progress. When asked about the use of technology in her practice, Jan firmly stated "No technology here! Except for the website. The whole idea is to get back to nature- to take what is there and use it just like nature intended."
Hunter admits that it is a bit overwhelming to operate a nursery and simultaneously provide landscaping services, especially being the only supplier of natives. Even so, Hunter additionally volunteers with Toledo Metroparks, The Nature Conservancy, provides plant specimens for the American Cancer Research Institute, researches the medicinal benefits of native plants, and monitors monarch butterfly populations for international data collection.
To learn more about the benefits of growing natives and Hunter's nursery, visit www.naturallynative.net
•••••••••
Contact the Maumee Valley Growers for more information (fill in the message and send it)
