Hello Gardeners!
The Seed Library has 3 new seed varieties!
These seeds are available now. Just send me an email and I will have a packet ready for you to pick up on Friday, Oct 9.
Here’s some info on these new seeds:
Hablitzia Tamnoides ( Caucasion Mountain Spinach) – Growing tips
Start off with seed – you can sow in pots from October through to January and leave outside in a cold frame and the seeds will germinate naturally over a number of weeks. Alternatively for a spring sowing, seeds need to be stratified for a period of 7-10 days in a fridge ( sow in damp compost or vermiculite and place in a plastic bag). Sow the seeds at a depth of 1-2mm. This period of cold followed by removal from the fridge helps to trigger germination.
Seedlings can then be handled and potted on ready to be planted out when big enough. The plants need something to scramble up and can reach 7-10 ft tall. In the autumn they produce very decorative green/white flowers which eventually turn into tiny black seeds.
Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus)
Info from Mother Earth Living
https://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/an-herb-to-know-9
Spring greens are an ancient tradition that is well worth keeping alive, and Good-King-Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) is an easy-to-grow herb rich in iron and vitamin C that blends well with such better-known potherbs as dandelions, nettles, and sorrel.
Good-King-Henry is native to Europe and was brought to North America by the early European colonists as a potherb. It now grows wild here and there in the northeastern United States and Canada.
Think of Good-King-Henry as a sort of perennial spinach, to which it is related; other chenopodiums include lamb’s-quarters (C. album), epazote (C. ambrosioides), and quinoa (C. quinoa). Stems up to 2 feet tall bear dark green, succulent, arrow-shaped leaves with smooth or wavy edges and a mealy undersurface. Spikes of tiny greenish flowers appear from May through September. In early spring, pencil-thick shoots push up from the fleshy, branching roots, and these are prized, especially in England, as a substitute for asparagus.
Good-King-Henry grows best in fertile, well-drained garden soil. It’s one of the few herbs that prefer partial shade. Buying a plant or two is an easy way to get started with this herb. Seeds are available but may be slow to germinate (established plants self-sow fairly readily, however). Stratifying the seeds (chilling them in a moist medium such as vermiculite) for a few weeks improves germination. Thin or transplant seedlings to 1 to 2 feet apart. Fertilize the plants occasionally during the growing season. Harvest leaves lightly and shoots not at all until plants are three years old. If you mulch the plants heavily in late fall with compost or leaf mold, the shoots will be white and especially tender. The leaves are most tender in spring, too. Established plants can be divided in early spring.
Rhubarb from Seeds
Info from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
https://www.southernexposure.com/blog/2015/02/growing-rhubarb-from-seed/
Many gardeners are familiar with growing rhubarb from divisions or crowns, but if you want to start a large rhubarb patch quickly, without spending a lot, growing rhubarb from seed is the answer. The stems of rhubarb grown from seed will not all have that intense red color you might be used to. Some stems will be red, some green, and some in between. But they will all taste the same, perfect for your home-cooked pie. If you want all red stalks, get divisions from a friend or neighbor or buy crowns from your local nursery.
Rhubarb seeds are encased in a large paper-like shell. To speed germination, soak your seeds in water for 1-2 hours before planting. If you’re starting indoors, plant the seeds in screened compost or other suitable organic planting mixture, 2 seeds per 2 to 3 inch pot. Using peat pots or cow pots makes transplanting easier. For spring plantings a heating cable or mat will speed the germination if the room temperature is below 70°F.
To start rhubarb in the spring (zones 8 and lower), sow seed in pots or flats under cover 8-10 weeks before your average last frost. Transplant the young plants out into the garden about two weeks before your average last frost, into an area amended with compost or well rotted manure and plenty of organic matter. The plants should be about 4 inches tall. Mulch your seedlings to maintain even soil moisture and keep the roots cool. Harden plants off before transplanting or protect the new transplants with row cover until danger of frost has passed.
Choose a location protected from the heat. The warmer your climate, the more important it is to provide afternoon shade (on the west and south) during the hottest months. A row of tall annual plants (your late summer tomatoes or pole lima beans), shade cloth, or a temporary structure can provide adequate shade that you can remove when the weather cools. Always remember to maintain even moisture. Letting your young rhubarb plants dry out in hot weather is the kiss of death.
Seed Pickup, Friday Oct 9, 4:30-5:30pm
The next seed pickup will be at the White Bear Lake library parking lot from 4:30-5:30 pm. Please wear a mask and follow social distance protocol.
If you want seeds, send me an email by 2:30 pm on Oct 9th with the name of the seeds you want. I will package them in a paper bag and you can pick them up on Oct 9th. Email address: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
If you need supplies to package seeds at home, also send me an email.
The lists of seeds available are on the Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Seed Talk, October 13, 2020 6:30 pm
The next seed talk is on how to save and package seeds. I have a presentation to show you and I will demonstrate how to package seeds for the seed library. As always, seed talks are community get-togethers! Please share you experiences and questions at the seed talk. You must register in advance for this Zoom seed talk.
If you find the event is full please let me or the library know. The number of participants can be increased. Also, you must sign up 2 hours in advance so there is time for the facilitator to send you the email to join the meeting.
How to Donate Seeds to the Seed Library
The Seed Library needs seeds!!!
In general, the seed library can use seeds from open-pollinated, non-hybrid vegetables and flowers or native plants. The plants providing the seeds must not have been cross-pollinated so that means tomatoes, peas, beans, lettuce, and native plants are the best plants to harvest seeds, though some annual flowers are also okay. If the plant is a hybrid the seeds will not come true to the original plant so the seed library cannot use them. If you are unsure about what seeds to save or how to save them, attend the next Seed Talk on Oct 13th.
Make sure the seeds are dry!
Please place your seeds in a paper envelope with the name of the plant, the date, your location, and your name. Plastic encourages mold. Make sure the envelope is sealed so that little seeds can’t escape. If you only use the glued area on the envelope flap, little seeds can escape on the edges where there is no glue. It is better to fold down the top of the envelope several times and fasten with a paper clip or staple shut.
1) Drop off the envelope of seeds at the curbside pickup area at the White Bear Lake library. Do not use the book return slot.
The librarians request that you refrain from arriving during the first two hours the library is open for curb-side pick up as it is very busy during this time. Please respect their wishes! So here are the hours you can come to donate seeds:
M: 12-8pm, T, W: 3-8pm, Th, F, S: 12-5pm
OR
2) Bring your envelope of seeds to a formal seed pickup day where I will be at the White Bear Lake library’s parking lot. The next date is Friday, Oct 9th; time 4:30-5:30pm. I will send out an email later for a reminder. There will be more seed pickups throughout the fall.
Happy Fall!
Pam
Upcoming Events
Seed Collecting at 21 Roots Farm, Oct 24th, 3-5 pm (rain date – Oct 25th 3-5pm)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1331916957160667
Come collect seeds in the ‘wild’ at 21 Roots Farm. The seeds will be donated to various seed libraries in the Twin Cities, including our White Bear Lake Seed Library. I will be there helping people to collect native plant seeds.
Open House Style- come when you can, stay as long as you can.
No Previous Seed Saving Experience Required!
Come and help collect seeds for the pollinators and local seed libraries.
Local Seed Savers will be on site to help guide you
(BYOP) Bring Your Own Pruner ... and gloves, please wear long pants and sturdy boots for walking in tall prairie grasses and plants.
Due to Covid please wear a mask and/or follow social distancing.
Green Coffee Talk with Do It Green
Seed Saving & Giving as Gifts, Oct 22, 2020
Presented by White Bear Lake Seed Library Founder Pam Larson Frink
Learn how to save vegetable, flower and native plant seeds. It's easy and a great way to keep heirloom seeds available and an inexpensive way to have seeds for your garden. Seeds are also a great gift idea! They are economical, easy to do, and of course, great for the environment. I'll show you some easy to make seed packets you can give as gifts.
More information and registration will follow.
Annual Virtual Green Gifts Fair, Nov 19-22, 2020
Join us for our 15th Annual Virtual Green Gifts Fair event!
Do It Green! Minnesota will be hosting our annual event virtually with some exciting, fun ways to participate from Thursday, November 19th – Sunday, November 22, 2020.
* SHOP! Online directory of local green artists and businesses offering discounts and specials.
* LEARN! Online videos and live chats to learn ways to reduce our environmental impact over the holidays and all year long.
* PARTICIPATE! Live feeds during the event.
Join us for our 15th Annual Virtual Green Gifts Fair event from Nov 19-22, 2020 with an online directory, demo videos and live feeds during the event!
Future Seed Talks via Zoom
Oct 13, 2020 Tues How to Save and Package Seeds
Nov 10, 2020 Tues How to Start Native Plant Seeds
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
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