New Seeds in Drawers and Next Seed Packaging

What Does the Eclipse and the Seed Library Have in Common?

 

Hello Gardeners

So what is the connection between the eclipse and the White Bear Lake seed library?

They both occur on April 8^th this year!

 

The White Bear Lake Seed Library received lots of new seeds! This means it’s time for another seed packaging! Here’s the info:

Monday, April 8^th, 2024 from 6-8 pm in the Lion’s Den conference room in the White Bear Lake library.

No experience is necessary. Come help the seed library and converse with your fellow gardeners.

 

Here’s a few interesting bits of information about what some plants do during an eclipse.

From a 2017 study at the University of Missouri’s South Farm Research Center, by Tim Reinbott and colleagues. Below is copied from https://www.crops.org/news/science-news/does-eclipse-equal-night-plant-life/.

The team chose to observe four types of plants with different habits:

• Mimosa close their leaves at night and when they are touched.
• Oxalis (purple clover) close their leaves and fold their flowers at night.
• Drought-stressed soybeans fold up their leaves during the day and open them at night.
• Drought-stressed corn curls during the day and uncurls at night.

Reinbott reported, “The regular mimosa responded to the eclipse by closing up its leaves, just like at sundown. But when we first exposed the mimosa plants to 72 hours of light or dark, they did not respond to the eclipse.” Reinbott thinks it may be because the light spectrum, some of which is undetectable to the human eye, had changes the plants may have responded to. “We have data that show slight differences in the light spectrum during totality and sundown. Possibly those plants exposed to 72 hours of light or darkness lost some of their photoreceptors for one of these wavelengths (blue and red/far-red).”

The oxalis responded very differently. It was a hot day, so the oxalis leaves were folded up to reduce sun exposure and retain water. As the eclipse started, the oxalis leaves opened up. After totality passed, the leaves closed again. But the oxalis did not fold its flowers as they do at dusk. “This shows that they have a circadian rhythm and were not fooled by the change in light from the eclipse. They only responded to the temperature change,” Reinbott concluded.

The drought-stressed corn did not visibly change much in response to the eclipse. Drought-stressed soybeans unfolded during the eclipse and then folded back up afterward, but it was unclear whether this was due to the temperature change or the light change. These soybeans behaved the same during totality as they do at sundown, showing they did not have a circadian rhythm.

 

Locally Harvested Seeds

Many of the seeds, especially native plant seeds, are labelled ‘locally harvested’ or ‘locally grown’. These are great seeds as these seeds are more acclimated to our environment. Commercial seeds could have come from anywhere in the United States. For example; plants grown in Texas have significantly different growing conditions than plants grown in Minnesota.  So you can understand why I encourage you to save seeds from the plants you grow. There is a caveat though. I only want seeds that are ‘easy to save’. What does that mean?

It doesn’t mean the seeds are easy to remove from the fruit or seed head of the plant. It dose means seeds from the plant are less likely to have been cross-pollinated and therefore the seeds from the plant will likely have the same traits (color of flower, hardiness, height, etc.) as the original plant.  Easy to save seeds are those that are either self-pollinating or do not cross-pollinate easily. This includes; tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce and native plants. As long as the original plant of these types was not a hybrid variety, the seeds from them will be great to save.

Bring any seeds (open-pollinated) you harvested to donate to the seed library! I’d love to get some tomatoes, lettuce, beans and peas you grew in your garden!

Also, those of you who grew haricot vert beans for the Grow a Row project, please donate them now.

 

How Does This Weird Winter Affect My Plants?

This is a valid concern as this winter’s weather has been very different than normal. The University of MN Extension service has an answer. Check it out here.

 

Plant Sales:

 

Big River, Big Woods Wild Ones Plant Sale

 

Native wildflowers, ferns, sedges and grasses are available as 3-packs, 1 gallon pots, 2 gallon pots and 4 inch pots. Trees and shrubs are available in 1 gallon, 2 gallon, and 5 gallon pots.

This year we also have pre-designed garden packs such as butterfly, monarch, hummingbird and bee packs that help these pollinators.

Orders taken now until May 15 online at plant sale. The pick-up location will be in Arden Hills, close to the Mounds View High School. The address will be included in the confirmation email. If it doesn't show up in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folders.

Plant Sale deadlines:

Wednesday, May 15 - Order deadline: last day to place your order.
Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Day to pick up your plant orders.
Sunday, June 9, noon to 3 p.m. - Day to pick up your plant orders.

Additional plants will be available from the vendors on June 8 & 9.

 

Friends School Plant Sale – May 10, 11, 12, 2024 at the State fair grounds.

They have over 2,100 varieties of plants (vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit, trees, perennials, etc.) all grown neonics free. Neonicotinoids. are systemic insecticides that harm pollinators. See info about this here. .

 

Anoka County Master Gardener sale – May 14, 15, 2024.

More information here.

 

Ramsey County Master Gardener sale – May 18, 2024

Ramsey County Master Gardeners will host their annual plant sale May 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aldrich Arena, 1850 White Bear Ave N, Maplewood, MN. This new location provides more room for more plants with more free parking!

Find your favorite plants and new varieties, including:

• Vegetables and herbs, 
• Large selection of tomatoes
• More than 1,500 native perennials, pollinator-friendly plants
• Annuals and houseplants
• Garden accessories

Plants are responsibly sourced from local growers or grown by Master Gardeners. The plants are free of systemic insecticides (neonicotinoids) and grown in sterile potting soil to prevent the spread of jumping worms.

Master Gardeners and representatives from Ramsey County Environmental Health, the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab, and Tree Care Advisors will be on hand to answer questions.

Proceeds from the plant sale support Master Gardener community and youth programs in Ramsey County. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

More information here.

 

Pam

 

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library

 

Why are Locally Harvested Seeds Great?

 

Hello Gardeners

A BIG thank you to all who came to the last seed packaging on Wednesday and to those of you who have packaged seeds at home! I added 256 seed packages to the seed library today! During the month of February I added over 600 packages! Lots of new annual flowers, herbs and vegetables were added. I still have many bean seeds left to package, but the majority of all other types of seeds are now in the seed library. I maintain online lists of seeds in the seed library, usually only updating the list once a month.

You can find the links to the lists on the website WBL Seed Library website. The lists are on the right hand side.

Or here are the links:

Vegetables and herbs

Flowers

Native Plants

 

Locally Harvested Seeds

Many of the seeds, especially native plant seeds, are labelled ‘locally harvested’ or ‘locally grown’. These are great seeds as these seeds are more acclimated to our environment. Commercial seeds could have come from anywhere in the United States. For example; plants grown in Texas have significantly different growing conditions than plants grown in Minnesota.  So you can understand why I encourage you to save seeds from the plants you grow. There is a caveat though. I only want seeds that are ‘easy to save’. What does that mean?

It doesn’t mean the seeds are easy to remove from the fruit or seed head of the plant. It means seeds from the plant are less likely to have been cross-pollinated and therefore the seeds from the plant will likely have the same traits (color of flower, hardiness, height, etc.) as the original plant.  Easy to save seeds are those that are either self-pollinating or do not cross-pollinate easily. This includes; tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce and native plants. As long as the original plant of these types was not a hybrid variety, the seeds from them will be great to save.

Bring any seeds (open-pollinated) you harvested to donate to the seed library! I’d love to get some tomatoes, lettuce, beans and peas you grew in your garden!

Also, those of you who grew haricot vert beans for the Grow a Row project, please donate them now.

 

How Does This Weird Winter Affect My Plants?

This is a valid concern as this winter’s weather has been very different than normal. The University of MN Extension service has an answer. Check it out here.

 

Stratifying Native Plant Seeds

 

Just a note about native plant seeds—Most native plant seeds need a period of stratification before they will germinate. Stratification is a period of cold, moist conditions that breaks the dormancy of native plant seeds. In nature this is called ‘winter’!

Here’s a brief description:

You can help get your native seeds a head start by doing one of the following right now:

1. Direct sow the seeds outside in a prepared bed. They should germinate next spring.

2. Use the winter sowing method to create a little like greenhouse for the seeds. Basically you cut a plastic jug in half, leaving a small part uncut as a hinge. Poke holes in the top, bottom and sides. Remove the bottle cap. Add potting soil and seeds. Water. Tape the top shut and write on the outside the type of seeds. Place OUTSIDE now in a sheltered area that will get sun, snow and rain. Early next spring you should see seedlings growing that you can transplant to your garden.

 

Right now, the best way to stratify seeds is below:

 

3. You can stratify seeds inside your refrigerator by placing damp sand and the seeds in a plastic zip lock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for the number of days necessary to stratify. Remove the bag after the length of time and place the sand and seeds on a tray with potting soil. Place the tray under lights and water as needed. Soon you will have seedlings you can harden off outside and plant in your garden.

The seed packets in the seed library are labelled with the number of days needed for stratification or you can find this information online as well.

 

Plant Sales:

Friends School Plant Sale – May 10, 11, 12, 2024 at the State fair grounds.

They have over 2,100 varieties of plants (vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit, trees, perennials, etc.) all grown neonics free. Neonicotinoids. are systemic insecticides that harm pollinators. See info about this here. .

 

Anoka County Master Gardener sale – May 14, 15, 2024.

More information here.

 

Ramsey County Master Gardener sale – May 18, 2024

More information here.

 

Pam

 

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library

 

Even More seeds and Another Seed Packaging Event!

 

Hello Gardeners

Another Seed Packaging Event!

The next Seed Packaging Event is Wednesday, February 28, from 6-8 pm at the White Bear Lake library. We’ll be in the Lion’s Den conference room. No experience necessary! Masks are welcome. I encourage all participants to consider the health of their neighbors as this is an indoor event. (I took this wording directly from Como Community Seed Library National Seed Swap Day event information, as it seemed appropriate. The Lion’s Den conference room holds about 9 people.)

Just a note: I get the feeling that Monday nights are preferable to many people as Mondays seem to have more people at them, but apparently Mondays are also popular to other groups in the area as the Lion’s Den room has been booked for several weeks. Perhaps Wednesday evenings work for people too? I still have lots of seeds to package, so if you’re available, please consider volunteering at this event. 

 

Bring any seeds you harvested to donate to the seed library! I’d love to get some tomatoes, beans and peas—especially those you grew from open-pollinated plants!

Also, those of you who grew haricot vert beans for the Grow a Row project, please donate them now!

 

If you can’t come to this seed packaging event or prefer to package seeds at home, I can provide a bag with seeds and supplies for you to pick up at the White Bear Lake library seed table. Just send me an email (wblseedlibrary@gmail.com) and I’ll prepare the bag and let you know when I’ve placed it on the seed table for you to pick up. Directions are included! 

 

New Seeds in the Seed Library!

Between the seed packaging events and volunteers who have packaged seeds at home I have added over 200 packets to the seed library the last couple weeks! I have tried to concentrate on the varieties that need to be started indoors early.Here’s some of the new or replenished seeds now available:

 

Native Plants: self-heal, pale cordalis, purple giant hyssop, lobelias, hoary vervain,

Vegetables:

Tomatoes – yellow pear, amish paste, Mandurang Moon, Apricot Zebra

Peppers – kalugerista, purple beauty, bridge to paris

Many varieties of spinach, cucumbers, summer squash, beans, pumpkins, cabbage, kohlrabi, peas, onions, leek, collards, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, celery, asparagus, kale, pumpkins, swiss chard

Flowers – Mexican sunflower, lavender, daisy, ballon flower, ayssum, amaranth, cardinal climber, celosia, bachelor buttons, cleome, hollyhock, passion flower, petunia, salvia, sweet pea, zinnia

Note that many of these seeds need to be started early indoors. Plan ahead!

 

 

Stratifying Native Plant Seeds

 

Just a note about native plant seeds—Most native plant seeds need a period of stratification before they will germinate. Stratification is a period of cold, moist conditions that breaks the dormancy of native plant seeds. In nature this is called ‘winter’!

Here’s a brief description:

You can help get your native seeds a head start by doing one of the following right now:

1. Direct sow the seeds outside in a prepared bed. They should germinate next spring.

2. Use the winter sowing method to create a little like greenhouse for the seeds. Basically you cut a plastic jug in half, leaving a small part uncut as a hinge. Poke holes in the top, bottom and sides. Remove the bottle cap. Add potting soil and seeds. Water. Tape the top shut and write on the outside the type of seeds. Place OUTSIDE now in a sheltered area that will get sun, snow and rain. Early next spring you should see seedlings growing that you can transplant to your garden.

 

Right now, the best way to stratify seeds is below:

 

3. You can stratify seeds inside your refrigerator by placing damp sand and the seeds in a plastic zip lock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for the number of days necessary to stratify. Remove the bag after the length of time and place the sand and seeds on a tray with potting soil. Place the tray under lights and water as needed. Soon you will have seedlings you can harden off outside and plant in your garden.

The seed packets in the seed library are labelled with the number of days needed for stratification or you can find this information online as well.

 

Pam

 

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library

 

New Seeds Added to Seed Library

 

Hello Gardeners

 

During the last seed packaging event we packaged lots of tomato and pepper seeds and they are now in the seed library. The online list is vegetable list.

 

There are many more vegetable, herb and flowers seeds still left to package and there will be another seed packaging event soon. I’ll send out information as soon as I have it scheduled. I’m waiting on a new order of seed envelopes

.

Bring any seeds you harvested to donate to the seed library! I’d love to get some tomatoes, beans and peas—especially those you grew from open-pollinated plants!

Also, those of you who grew haricot vert beans for the Grow a Row project, please donate them now!

 

If you can’t come to this seed packaging event or prefer to package seeds at home, I can provide a bag with seeds and supplies for you to pick up at the White Bear Lake library seed table. Just send me an email (wblseedlibrary@gmail.com) and I’ll prepare the bag and let you know when I’ve placed it on the seed table for you to pick up. Directions are included! I probably won’t get the bags prepared until after January 20^th.

 

Staring Seeds Indoors

I know you’re anxious to start growing seeds, but hold off awhile. It’s not time yet.

So when is it time?

 

Many vegetable, herb and flower seeds need to be started indoors early in Minnesota as we don’t have a long enough growing season. Examples are tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. The commercial packet or website information will say something like ‘start 4-6 weeks before last date of frost’.

To figure out when to start these seeds you need to know the growing zone of your area—the Twin Cities is in zone 5. The average last date of frost is May 10^th. So counting backwards from May 10^th, 4-6 weeks gives you a date of April 1-14.

Keep in mind the earlier you start seeds, the longer you have to care for them indoors. Which means run supplemental lighting, re-potting if necessary, watering, etc. Seedlings, even with great grow lights, are leggier and less stocky than seeds grown outside. You want relatively short, stocky seedlings.

Also keep in mind that it doesn’t mean on May 11^th it’s OK to plant out your seedlings. Tomatoes and peppers are tropical plants (yes, they originated in very warm areas) and they need warm days AND nights—at least 50 degrees all the time! Plus seedlings need at least a week of hardening off before venture into their new home in your garden. So, do yourself a favor and read up on how to grow vegetables if you haven’t done it before. It may prevent a disappointment of an entire lost crop.  The University of Minnesota Extension Service has lots of good information on how to grow vegetables here.

I’ll delve more into starting seeds in later emails. But here’s a common question:

Do I need grow lights if I have a south facing window?

Answer: Yes!

Even if it was sunny and cloudless everyday there are not enough daylight hours to grow almost all vegetable seeds inside in Minnesota. Most seedlings need 12-16 hours of good light a day. Everyday.

  

Stratifying Native Plant Seeds

There’s still time to stratifying native plant seeds! The seed library has a nice variety of seeds you can grow. The online list is here

Just a note about native plant seeds—Most native plant seeds need a period of stratification before they will germinate. Stratification is a period of cold, moist conditions that breaks the dormancy of native plant seeds. In nature this is called ‘winter’!

Here’s a brief description:

You can help get your native seeds a head start by doing one of the following right now:

1. Direct sow the seeds outside in a prepared bed. They should germinate next spring.

2. Use the winter sowing method to create a little like greenhouse for the seeds. Basically you cut a plastic jug in half, leaving a small part uncut as a hinge. Poke holes in the top, bottom and sides. Remove the bottle cap. Add potting soil and seeds. Water. Tape the top shut and write on the outside the type of seeds. Place OUTSIDE now in a sheltered area that will get sun, snow and rain. Early next spring you should see seedlings growing that you can transplant to your garden.

3. You can stratify seeds inside your refrigerator by placing damp sand and the seeds in a plastic zip lock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for the number of days necessary to stratify. Remove the bag after the length of time and place the sand and seeds on a tray with potting soil. Place the tray under lights and water as needed. Soon you will have seedlings you can harden off outside and plant in your garden.

The seed packets in the seed library are labelled with the number of days needed for stratification or you can find this information online as well.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

                   

National Seed Swap Day – January 27, 1-3 pm

Historic Como Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Pkwy N., St. Paul MN 55117

 

Join The MN SEED Project, The Saint Paullinators of South Como, Como Community Seed Library, and District 10 Como Community Council for an Epic Seed Swap on Saturday January 27th 1-3 pm at the Como Streetcar Station. Bring your seeds and arrive early for some epic trading, great garden conversations, snacks and more. For more information check the event listing here!

 

Meet Your Pollinator Webinar Series

January 30, 31 and February 1^st - webinar

 

You may have planted flowers and pollinator habitat… now what? What kinds of insects are visiting your property? How do we keep our pollinator insects safe? Check out this upcoming webinar series to help guide you in improving your pollinator habitat. University of Minnesota Extension educators are excited to bring you this webinar series on learning more about our pollinators. This three-part series will cover how to help pollinators, pollinator insect identification, and integrated pest management practices to keep pollinators safe. Join us January 30, 31, and February 1 from 1:00-2:30 pm each afternoon for this free webinar. You must pre-register for this series at z.umn.edu/BeeSeries to receive the webinar links.

 

 

Winter Market – Farmer’s Saturday Feb 10, 10-1pm, Normandy Park Education Center

2482 County Road F East, White Bear Lake MN 55110

 

Twenty+ local food vendors will be sharing locally grown and crafted items including meats, cheese, eggs, micro greens, and maple syrup. Many locally preserved options, like jams, jellies, sauces, sauerkraut, and kombucha will be available. Great gifting options such as soaps and specialty hand crafted goods as well.

This year they are back partially inside, as our community has requested! The majority of vendors will be inside, along with our community booths and the Senior Center Craft Corner.

See Winter FM for more information.

 

 

Pam

 

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library