Note for Comcast Email Accounts:
Some of you may not be getting my emails as Comcast/Xfinity has decided
it is spam. These emails may be in your SPAM folder. To prevent this,
go to your spam folder and select the seed library emails and mark them
'not spam'. It also helps to add the seed library's email to your
contact list/address book. (My latest email was Nov 25, 2020.) Seed library's email: wblseedlibray@gmail.com
If you don't find my emails in your inbox or spam folder, Comcast may have deleted them as there is a setting somewhere that tells Comcast to delete anything it thinks is spam. I don't use Comcast for my emails so I don't know where this is, but maybe there is a help page which may 'help'. You could also call costumer service and ask them if you eventually reach a real person. Comcast recently changed its security and I think this is why my emails from Mailchimp are going to spam.
Hello Gardeners!
I’m now resigned to the end of active gardening season. I harvested all my carrots and parsnips and the last snowfall put an end to my tenaciously blooming obedient plants. This time of year is good for reflecting on what were your garden successes and less-than-successes. If you have a garden journal, now is a great time to add an entry summing up how your gardens grew. Maybe jot down some new plants you’d like to try or what you’d like to do differently next season.
Here is a gift idea for the gardeners or would-be gardeners on your list:
Select several packets of seeds and place them in a fancy box or tote bag. Add some basic growing information and a pair of garden gloves and you have a wonderful gift that will be appreciated now and next spring!
Next Seed Pickup, Tuesday Dec 1st, 4:30-5 pm
Order seeds by sending me an email at wblseedlibrary@gmail.com. Please request seeds by 2:30pm on Dec 1, so I have time to bag your order.
I’ll bag up your seed packets and then you meet me at the White Bear Lake library’s parking lot to pick them up.
Also, if you’d like to package seeds you can pick up supplies at this time, but please send me an email so I can put together the supplies before you come.
There have been many new native plants added to the Seed Library. An updated list of native plant seeds and other seeds is posted on the blog site.
How to Donate Seeds to the Seed Library
The Seed Library still 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.
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 coming soon. There will be more seed pickups throughout the fall.
Happy Fall!
Pam
Upcoming Events
Urban Roots: Growing in the City
November 30th at 1:00 PM where Urban Roots will host (https://urbanrootsmn.org) a program on youth in the garden. Virtual, of course: https://umn.zoom.us/j/94113139665
Do you work with youth, or are you a youth participant, in a garden or environmental program?
Join in with your experiences, to network, and create possible partnerships!
Urban Roots has been cultivating youth leadership in Saint Paul since 1996. What started as a small garden for students at Dayton's Bluff Elementary School has grown into an urban farm that produces 15,000 pounds of produce annually on one acre of land on Saint Paul's East Side! Join us to hear more about the challenges of farming in the city and how Urban Roots cultivates youth leadership through market gardening, cooking and conservation.
Join in the conversation with Skyler Hawkins, Market Garden Program Manager, Jaclyne Jandro, Education Program Manager, Marcos Giossi, Seasonal Lead Supervisor, and Zarea Mobley, Administrative Assistant & Alum.
Farm at the Arb - Sustainable Horticulture Program
The Farm at the Arb - Sustainable Horticulture Program is offered each year from February to October. Applications are due in the fall. This hands-on, technical training in vegetable growing is designed for beginning growers, skilled workers and career changes. Are you looking to pursue a career in sustainable food production for sale and community health? The USDA defines a beginning farmer as someone who has ten years of experience or less - The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum helps individuals begin or continue their career as vegetable growers. The program is offered in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Sciences and Extension. Participants receive a combination of classroom, lab and field experience. This includes a 14 week paid work experience at the Arboretum and partnering farms.
For more information, see: https://arb.umn.edu/content/farm-arb
Contact Tim Wilson, Arboretum Farm Education Manager: trwilson@umn.edu
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
Dec no talk planned
Jan 12, 2021 Tues How to Grow Food Plants Inside
Feb 9, 2021 Tues Companion Planting
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
