I restocked the following native plant seeds Friday:
name - # packets added
Little Bluestem - 1
Lupine - 3
Pale Purple Coneflower - 4
White Wild Indigo -4
Blue False Indigo -8
Columbine -7
21 Roots Mixture - 2
This is all I have of these varieties, except the 21 Roots Mixture, which I have lots of.
I'm still working on added a few more natives and I'll let you know when that is completed.
Hello Gardeners
Last month almost 400 packets of seeds found new homes! Wow!
So, needless to say, the seed drawers are getting empty. I am working on packaging more seeds from the seeds I have at home. I will let youknow when the seed drawers are replenished.
But I have few pea, pepper, lettuce and herb seeds. So if you are ordering seeds from a commercial seed company perhaps you can purchase a seed packet for the seed library.
The seed library needs open-pollinated, non-hybrid seeds.
The easy to save seeds (peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and native plants) are the best to purchase as these seeds don't cross-pollinate easily and usually come true to the parent plant. When I say 'they come true to the parent plant' I mean if I grow a Black Giant tomato the seeds will most likely be exactly like the plant I grew. In contrast, if I grow a hybrid Better Boy tomato the seeds may or may not be viable and if they do grow the fruits from the plant will probably NOT be similar to the original plant. This is because hybrid plants need genes from two different types of tomatoes to produce the characteristics of the hybrid plant.
If you can't find a particular seed at the seed library, please let me know. I may have more at home or if it is a popular variety I'll try to purchase some of those seeds.
Pam
Hello Gardeners!
There are new native plant seeds in the seed library!
The native plant seeds drawers are bursting. From now until January is a great time to start stratifying native plant seeds. You can do that either by sowing directly outside now, using the winter sowing method (my last seed talk) or by sowing in pots you place outside all winter. Check out the latest Joe Gardner’s podcast for information on this method here.
Some of the newest native plant seeds:
Prairie sage Artemisia ludoviciana
Bristly Sedge Carex comosa
Gray Sedge Carex grayi
Lance-Leaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolate
Pale Spike Lobelia Lobelia spicata
Royal Catchfly Silene regia
Zig Zag Goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis
Heart Leaved Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve
New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Swamp Aster Symphyotrichum puniceum
The full list of seeds is here.
Or see links to all the available seeds on the blogsite. Look on the right hand side.
How to Get Free Seeds
There are many more native plant, flower and tomato seeds available now. There are over 91 varieties of native plant seeds! You can access the seed packets during regular library hours. The Seed Library table is to the right as you come through the double doors. (White Bear Lake library, 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake; M: 10-8, T, W: 1-8, Th, F, Sa: 10-5)
You can find the current list of available seeds on the Seed Library website at Seed Library site. Or a less than current paper list on the Seed Library table in the library.
If you can’t find the seeds you’re looking for please let me know via email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com and I’ll get you the seeds if they are available.
‘Grow a Row’ Participants
If you haven’t already harvested your pea or bean seeds, now is the time. Wait until the pods are dry and brown. Remove the pods from the plants and remove the seeds from the pods. Place the seeds in a paper envelope with the name of the plant, your location, date and the words “Grow a Row”. After placing the seeds in an envelope, seal it and return it to the seed library table at the White Bear Lake library. I will take all the Grow a Row seeds and mix them together, keeping the peas separate from the beans. Then next season, people can grow them again and we’ll repeat the process. Over time our pea and bean seeds will be more adapted to our region.
Special Offer for the ‘Grow a Row’ Gardeners!
If you don’t want to remove the seeds from the pods, you can return the whole pods to the Seed Library. There is a memory care facility where the residents can shell your pea or bean pods. This is an easy and repetitive task the residents can do independently. Just place the whole pods in a paper bag, write ‘Grow a Row’ on the bag and your location. Drop off at the Seed Library table inside the WBL library, 2150 2ndt St, White Bear Lake.
Please indicate if your seeds or pods are from the ‘Grow a Row’ project so I don’t get them mixed up with other types of seeds.
Thank you to those who grew a row for the Seed Library!
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato, bean, and pea seeds. This is a great time to start saving seeds. Many native plants have seed pods or seed heads ready for harvesting.
The seed library welcomes any seed donations of non-hybrid, non-cross-pollinated seeds. Place dry seeds in a paper envelope with the name of seed, year and location on the envelope. Drop off in the bin on the seed library table in the library during open hours.
Volunteer Opportunity
Help package seeds for the seed library. If interested, send me an email and I’ll get you seeds, supplies and instructions. You package the seeds and return them to the seed library table.
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
Jan 11, 2022 Tues – How to Grow Indoor Plants
Learn how to grow indoor houseplants to brighten up your grey winter days.
Events
White Bear Lake Winter Farmer’s Market at Tamarack Nature Center,
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Saturdays: December 11 and January 8, 10am-2pm
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.
See Forks in the Dirt for more information.
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Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
Hello Gardeners!
The seed drawers are getting full. I have been adding seed packets at least once a week this entire month! There are now 91 varieties of native plant seeds in the seed library. Just in time too as now is the time to start these seeds either by direct sowing outside or by winter sowing. Many native plants need a period of cold, moist days to break dormancy.
If you are not familiar with winter sowing, it is an easy way to start native and other seeds. Come to the next Seed Talk on November 9 to learn how to do this seed starting method. See below for details.
Leaves, Leaves, Leaves!
I bet you have a yard full of leaves by now and you’re probably thinking that means hours off work raking and bagging the leaves.
There is a better way!
There is no need to rake the leaves off your lawn. In fact, your lawn will be much healthier if you just mulch them with your regular lawn mower and leave the bits of leaves on your lawn. It is free fertilizer and much less work.
So leave the leaves!
See here for more information: Start Tribune article and UMN Extension article.
Winter Sowing
Want to know an easy way to start native plant seeds? Tune in to this seed talk on with just an empty milk or water jug, some potting soil and seeds you can be on your way to growing wonderful native plants to enhance your yard and feed the pollinators!
Many native plant seeds need a period of stratification to germinate. This is one method of providing that for these seeds.
Nov 9, 2021 Tues – How to Do Winter Sowing
Learn how to start seeds using the winter sowing method of germination.
To attend this event you need to register at least 3 hours prior in order for the library to send you a link . Register at Seed Talk.
How to Get Free Seeds
There are many more native plant, flower and tomato seeds available now. You can access the seed packets during regular library hours. The Seed Library table is to the right as you come through the double doors. (White Bear Lake library, 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake; M: 10-8, T, W: 1-8, Th, F, Sa: 10-5)
You can find the current list of available seeds on the Seed Library website at Seed Library site. Or a less than current paper list on the Seed Library table in the library.
If you can’t find the seeds you’re looking for please let me know via email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com and I’ll get you the seeds if they are available.
‘Grow a Row’ Participants
If you haven’t already harvested your pea or bean seeds, now is the time. Wait until the pods are dry and brown. Remove the pods from the plants and remove the seeds from the pods. Place the seeds in a paper envelope with the name of the plant, your location, date and the words “Grow a Row”. After placing the seeds in an envelope, seal it and return it to the seed library table at the White Bear Lake library. I will take all the Grow a Row seeds and mix them together, keeping the peas separate from the beans. Then next season, people can grow them again and we’ll repeat the process. Over time our pea and bean seeds will be more adapted to our region.
Special Offer for the ‘Grow a Row’ Gardeners!
If you don’t want to remove the seeds from the pods, you can return the whole pods to the Seed Library. There is a memory care facility where the residents can shell your pea or bean pods. This is an easy and repetitive task the residents can do independently. Just place the whole pods in a paper bag, write ‘Grow a Row’ on the bag and your location. Drop off at the Seed Library table inside the WBL library, 2150 2ndt St, White Bear Lake.
Please indicate if your seeds or pods are from the ‘Grow a Row’ project so I don’t get them mixed up with other types of seeds.
Thank you to those who grew a row for the Seed Library!
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato, pea and native plant seeds. This is a great time to start saving seeds. Many native plants have seed pods or seed heads ready for harvesting.
The seed library welcomes any seed donations of non-hybrid, non-cross-pollinated seeds. Place dry seeds in a paper envelope with the name of seed, year and location on the envelope. Drop off in the bin on the seed library table in the library during open hours.
Volunteer Opportunity
Help package seeds for the seed library. If interested, send me an email and I’ll get you seeds, supplies and instructions. You package the seeds and return them to the seed library table.
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
Nov 9, 2021 Tues – How to Do Winter Sowing
Learn how to start seeds using the winter sowing method of germination.
Register at Seed Talk.
Jan 11, 2022 Tues – How to Grow Indoor Plants
Learn how to grow indoor houseplants to brighten up your grey winter days.
Events
White Bear Lake Winter Farmer’s Market at Tamarac Nature Center,
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Saturdays: November 13, December 11 and January 8, 10am-2pm
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.
See Forks in the Dirt for more information.
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
Hello Gardeners!
What do beans, peas and monarchs have to do with each other?
See below for answer.
Fall is a wonderful time of the year! Flowers are still blooming and gardens are still producing, and the temperatures are still nice for plenty of time outside. My patch of the world only got less than a ¼” of rain recently—not enough! As much as I like sunny, cool days, I know we still need rain. So I’m willing to take several rainy days to help out the trees and other plants. Keep watering your trees even in the fall as they need reserves to carry them through the winter.
Answer: Trick question…they are all topics of this email!
Do you raise Monarch butterflies?
If you raise your monarch caterpillars inside your home you may be causing them to not know how to migrate south for the winter. From this University of Chicago study, they found wild monarchs raised in captivity inside (or monarchs purchased commercially) were not able to determine the direction to migrate. Monarchs raised outside in an enclosed screened area were still able to find ‘south’. You can read about the study here.
From the article: ‘But the new study shows that however well-intentioned, monarch enthusiasts should remember that the migratory behavior of these beloved butterflies is incredibly fragile.’ Perhaps a better way to help monarch populations is to grow more milkweeds or raise them in a screened container outside.
Grow a Row Participants
If you haven’t already harvested your pea or bean seeds, now is the time. Wait until the pods are dry and brown. Remove the pods from the plants and remove the seeds from the pods. Place the seeds in a paper envelope with the name of the plant, your location, date and the words “Grow a Row”. After placing the seeds in an envelope, seal it and return it to the seed library table at the White Bear Lake library. I will take all the Grow a Row seeds and mix them together, keeping the peas separate from the beans. Then next season, people can grow them again and we’ll repeat the process. Over time our pea and bean seeds will be more adapted to our region.
Special Offer for the ‘Grow a Row’ Gardeners!
If you don’t want to remove the seeds from the pods, you can return the whole pods to the Seed Library. There is a memory care facility where the residents can shell your pea or bean pods. This is an easy and repetitive task the residents can do independently. Just place the whole pods in a paper bag, write ‘Grow a Row’ on the bag and your location. Drop off at the Seed Library table inside the WBL library, 2150 2ndt St, White Bear Lake.
Please indicate if your seeds or pods are from the ‘Grow a Row’ project so I don’t get them mixed up with other types of seeds.
Thank you to those who grew a row for the Seed Library!
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato, pea and native plant seeds. This is a great time to start saving seeds. Many native plants have seed pods or seed heads ready for harvesting.
The seed library welcomes any seed donations of non-hybrid, non-cross-pollinated seeds. Place dry seeds in a paper envelope with the name of seed, year and location on the envelope. Drop off in the bin on the seed library table in the library during open hours.
Where are the seeds?
Since the end of June the seed drawers and catalogs are back at the White Bear Lake library. You can access the seed packets during regular library hours. The Seed Library table is to the right as you come through the double doors. (White Bear Lake library, 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake; M: 10-8, T, W: 1-8, Th, F, Sa: 10-5)
You can find the current list of available seeds on the Seed Library website at Seed Library site. Or a less than current paper list on the Seed Library table in the library.
If you can’t find the seeds you’re looking for please let me know via email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com and I’ll get you the seeds if they are available.
Volunteer Opportunity
Help package seeds for the seed library. If interested, send me an email and I’ll get you seeds, supplies and instructions. You package the seeds and return them to the seed library table.
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
Nov 9, 2021 Tues – How to Do Winter Sowing
Learn how to start seeds using the winter sowing method of germination.
Register at Seed Talk.
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
