Hello Gardeners!
I hope your plants survived the heat and drought. My plants were looking very sad before the rain on Sunday, but they have perked up since. Though I would like to think our drought is over for the summer, but I think the remaining season will be dry. It seems weather extremes are the norm now.
A Moral Dilemma?
There’s a plant that grows only on 21 acres in Nevada that has more than drought to worry about. It’s called Eriogonum tiehmii, or Tiehm’s wild buckwheat. It grows on soil that lacks important nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, and is extremely alkaline. This plant has adapted to very specific soils that are very high in boron and lithium. Those minerals make the soils very hostile to most plants, and so Tiehm’s buckwheat has developed special adaptations to be able to survive in these highly mineralized soils.
Also, where this rare yellow puffball plant grows is store of lithium. Mining the lithium could produce about 20,000 tons of battery-grade material per year, which is enough to power about 400,000 electric cars. More electric cars mean less pollution and less global warming. If this store of lithium is mined the plant dies as attempts to relocate it have failed.
What is the value of the mine versus the value of the plant? Read the story.
Good News!
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)
I must apologize as not all the seeds are in packets and the catalogs are not fully updated. Since March 2020 I have mostly packaged seeds as they were requested. 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.
The membership forms are back at the library’s main desk too. Again, I apologize as I did not update your membership form if you requested/donated seeds this last year. (It really was too much to do.) If you are new to the White Bear Lake Seed Library, the membership form is a means to find out the general location of people using the seed library and for you to let me know your email address. You can let me know if you want to be on the seed library’s email list to be informed of events and other cool stuff related to gardening. I never give out your email address to anyone.
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.
Summer is usually a slow time for the seed library, so it is easier for me to hand out envelopes of seeds for others to package as I don’t have to worry about someone requesting a seed variety I handed to someone else to package.
Grow a Row
All the packets of seeds for the Grow a Row project have been taken. If you missed out, I plan to do this again next year! I hope those who took a packet of seeds have a great harvest! Thank you!
Seed Talk – Problems, Pests and Poor Performance
Tuesday July 13th, 2021, 6:30 pm
Is your garden giving you problems? Do some of your plants look unhappy? Or maybe you've noticed some insect or other animal pests attacking your plants. Come to this Seed Talk to learn some ways to tackle some common garden problems. I don't have all the answers, but there may be someone at the talk that has had some success with a similar problem as yours. So tune in to ask questions and share your experiences.
Seed Talk via Zoom. You must register at least 3 hours prior to the event via Seed Talk.
How to Donate Seeds to the Seed Library
The seed library welcomes seed donations of hon-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.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Great River Greening Wonderhour
Join Great River Greening for nature-based skills and knowledge. Free.
Register here.
Climate Resilient Gardens (Wednesday, July 14, 6 p.m.)
The climate is changing, and that will affect Minnesota gardens. Learn about what to expect and how to adapt to grow a more resilient landscape.
Nature Heals (Wednesday, August 11, 6 p.m.)
Learn the science of how time spent in nature helps to improve our physical and mental well-being.
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Ramsey County Master Gardener Classes
Many online classes throughout the spring. See classes.
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
July 13, 2021 Tues – Problems, Pests and Poor Performance
Aug 10, 2021 Tues – Without Good Soil All You Have is Dirt
This Seed Talk is all about improving the soil your plants depend on. The number one thing you can do to improve your garden is provide well-structured soil with ample nutrients for your plants to grow in. It's easy and guaranteed to provide better results. Fall is a great time to start improving your garden soil so it's more than just dirt.
Sep 14, 2021 Tues – How to Save Seeds
Learn how to save vegetable, herb and native plant seeds to use for future seasons.
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
