Roots on the Route

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Roots on the Route Roots on the Route is a free native plant stand located on the uptown parade route.

The purpose of the stand is to promote the use of and access to native plants, while building community around a shared love of gardening with native plants.

Inspired by , I took to the neutral ground walking path with a bucket, gloves, and a grabber-reacher-thing to tidy up a ...
10/15/2026

Inspired by , I took to the neutral ground walking path with a bucket, gloves, and a grabber-reacher-thing to tidy up a 4-block stretch. Including a a slight detour to stand up a tipped over city garbage can in front of the bus stop at Napoleon and Magazine, I mainly stuck to the neutral ground and filled up one bucket worth of trash.

Maybe tomorrow I'll tackle the other side of St. Charles. Or maybe someone will beat me to it...

10/09/2026

Update: Pelican Greenhouse sale date has changed on their website. Visit their website to make sure you have the most current information as they often change last minute with little to no notice.

There are lots of opportunities to buy native plants this weekend so don't miss out! What's on your shopping list? LSU Hilltop Arboretum New Orleans City Park Red Stick Natives Beaver's Abundance Native Plant Nursery & Eco-Boutique

10/08/2026

While you're scattering some seeds in your yard, go ahead and put a few in some small containers as well. That way you have some as backup (and perhaps could donate any extras to Roots on the Route!). Here are a few extra tips I forgot to mention in the video:
1. Before you start, don't forget to check whether your seeds prefer surface sowing or being buried. If they are surface sow, you wouldn't make holes like I showed in the video.
2. If you're growing them outside, give them a few hours of morning sun and then indirect light or shade the rest of the day. As they grow more leaves, you can gradually introduce them to more and more light until you finally transplant them to their permanent homes.
3. If you're growing them inside, you'll need more light than a sunny window can provide. Trust me, I tried it and I just ended up with stunted, leggy plants. You'll need growing lights and a timer (set it to ~15 hrs under the grow lights). Or just put them outside!
4. Don't let the soil dry out. You'll probably need to water every day or every other day. If it's particularly windy, you may want to check more than once a day in the beginning.
5. Some people cover the trays with a clear dome to keep the conditions moist and then remove it once the seeds germinate. I personally don't do that, simply because I don't have any, but if you want to try it, go for it! It probably does reduce the amount of watering you have to do.

Feel free to share any tips you have in the comments!

Using my free will to give away free native plants today because who says we have to wait until the weekend 🌿🌻? Stop on ...
10/06/2026

Using my free will to give away free native plants today because who says we have to wait until the weekend 🌿🌻? Stop on by for a little pick me up.

How it Works:
1. Pick a plant (or 2!).
2. Take a picture and tag us on FB/IG. We love to see our plants in their new homes!
3. Got something to share? Bring your own native plants to the stand for others, just be sure to label them. I also welcome soil donations so I can pot up more plants for you all.
4. Feeling generous? Leave a one-time $2 tip for the gardener via Venmo to help keep this going. Link in bio.

706 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA

10/01/2026

You've got your seeds, now what? Some native plants are toss and go, but others can be a little particular. Here are a few tips that might improve your germination rates when direct sowing in the garden. But don't shy away from sowing in containers as well - I'll have a video on that soon!

09/29/2026

As the weather gets cooler, this is a great time to divide your perennials to get free plants for your yard. Blue-eyed grass is one that is super easy to divide and makes for a precious border in the spring. Trust me, when you see all the pics of it blooming next March, you're going to wish you had it!

If any one is dividing theirs and has more they can use, feel free to drop some off at the stand for others!

More free plants, neighbors! Come out while it's still cool.How it Works: 1.  Pick a plant (or 2!).2. Take a picture and...
09/27/2026

More free plants, neighbors! Come out while it's still cool.

How it Works:
1. Pick a plant (or 2!).
2. Take a picture and tag us on FB/IG. We love to see our plants in their new homes!
3. Got something to share? Bring your own native plants to the stand for others, just be sure to label them. I also welcome soil donations so I can pot up more plants for you all.
4. Feeling generous? Leave a one-time $2 tip for the gardener via Venmo/Paypal to help keep this going. Link in bio.

706 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA

Free native plants today! Includes some hummingbird favorites and spring bloomers. How it Works: 1. Pick a plant (or 2!)...
09/26/2026

Free native plants today! Includes some hummingbird favorites and spring bloomers.

How it Works:
1. Pick a plant (or 2!).
2. Take a picture and tag us on FB/IG. We love to see our plants in their new homes!
3. Donate soil or share extra native plants on the stand. Make sure to label all native plants.
4. Feeling generous? Leave a $2 tip for the gardener via Venmo/Paypal to help keep this going. Link in bio.

706 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA

I've been transplanting more natives to my side yard but was happy to discover this native basket grass, Oplismenus hirt...
09/25/2026

I've been transplanting more natives to my side yard but was happy to discover this native basket grass, Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. setarius, was already there. And this is the first time I've noticed the blooms! Now, I have quite a lot of chamberbitters and other invasive weeds that I need to dig out but fortunately my assistant has been very helpful in the process.

Last week I asked you all which seeds do you think are easiest to sow directly in the garden and you all responded with ...
09/23/2026

Last week I asked you all which seeds do you think are easiest to sow directly in the garden and you all responded with lots of ideas! The cooler months are a great time to sow pretty much any of these species, so pick a few favorites and scatter those seeds.

Looking for free native seeds? will be giving away seeds for free at the City Park Fall Garden Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026. And I hope to have the free little seed library opened by mid October.

Interested in sowing in pots? I'll have a video on that soon!

Address

706 Napoleon Avenue
New Orleans, LA

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