Hello Gardeners!
These cooler days are welcome, but there is still plenty of growing season left. Tomatoes, squash, onions and many more vegetables are still ripening. I have oodles of asters and goldenrod blooming keeping the bees happy too.
There are a couple new events coming up quick, so check them out at the end of this email.
Grow a Row Participants
If you haven’t already harvested your pea or bean seeds, now is the time. Hopefully, 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.
Thank you to those who grew a row for the Seed Library!
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato and native plant seeds. This is a great time to start saving tomato seeds. Many native plants have seed pods or seed heads ready for harvesting too.
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.
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.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Grower Spotlight: Feed Me Farms | September 23, 4-5:30 PM | Minnetonka
Jake Jarecki started Feed-Me Farms and is in the second year of production. He farms former lawn at a Synagogue, Lutheran Church, and a friend's side yard. Jake’s is a great case study on how to get started without a lot of money or owning land. Growing on city lots can be a low cost, low risk way to get a start in farming, and gain valuable experience, build assets and cultivate business relationships.
We will explore what it takes to start a market farm. Lawn owners and urban and
Address: Bet Shalom Synagogue, 13613 Orchard Road Minnetonka, MN. Please pre-register for a head-count, walkups are welcome too.
Compost! | September 25, 10 AM - Noon | Minneapolis
This event is focused on that magical pile in our yards, gardens, and farms: compost! Urban Ventures will host the gathering at their gardens along the Greenway. We'll see their composting operations, and veteran composter Russ Henry and Chesney Engquist of Minnehaha Falls Landscaping will also facilitate our discussion on making quality compost for soil quality.
Join in and learn:
What you need to make compost
How to build a good compost pile
How to manage the pile to make high quality compost
How to use finished compost
Address: Urban Ventures Greenway Gardens, 2841 S. 5th Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55408. Please pre-register for a head-count, walkups are welcome too.
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.
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
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