Home Growers Program
Grow Native Plants. Grow Community.
The Sag Moraine Home Growers Program brings people together to grow native plants for our community. Participants raise plants at home and donate a portion of what they grow to Sag Moraine’s annual native plant sale.
If you have a little space, time, and curiosity, you can help.
How the Program Works
Sag Moraine provides growing instructions, educational resources, opportunities to share seeds, and ongoing support from fellow growers. We may also have reusable pots, plug trays, or other growing supplies available to share.
You provide the soil, space, water, and care needed to help the seeds become healthy plants.
When your plants are ready, we ask you to donate a portion of them to Sag Moraine’s annual native plant sale. You may keep additional plants for your own garden, share them with friends and neighbors, or use them in a community project.
What You Can Grow
Participants can choose from a variety of native flowers, grasses, and sedges. We will help identify plants that are appropriate for your space, experience, and preferred growing method.
Most participants will grow plants through winter sowing, an accessible method that uses outdoor containers to expose seeds to natural winter conditions.
Some growers also start seeds in garages with grow lights or use cold frames and greenhouses. You are welcome to experiment with different methods, share what you learn, and ask the group questions along the way.
Earn Master Naturalist Volunteer Hours
Participation in Sag Moraine’s Home Growers Program qualifies for volunteer hours through the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program. Grow native plants at home, donate a portion to our annual plant sale, and help bring more native plants to our community while earning volunteer hours.
What Sag Moraine Provides
- Growing instructions and educational resources
- Opportunities to obtain and exchange native plant seeds
- Guidance on selecting species and growing methods
- Ongoing support from experienced and beginning growers
- Occasional access to donated plug trays, pots, and other reusable supplies
- A community where growers can share questions, successes, and lessons learned
What Growers Provide
- Potting soil and growing space
- Water and routine plant care
- Containers, unless donated supplies are available
- Time to monitor and care for seedlings
- A portion of the finished plants for Sag Moraine’s annual native plant sale
Who Can Participate?
The Home Growers Program is open to beginners and experienced growers. You do not need a large property or specialized equipment. A patio, driveway, porch, small yard, garage growing station, or greenhouse can all provide useful growing space.
We welcome individuals, families, garden clubs, schools, and community groups that want to help grow more native plants.
Get Started
Complete the interest form below. Let us know about your growing experience, available space, preferred growing methods, and the types of plants you may be interested in raising.