Saturday, November 20, 2021

More native Plant Seeds Available

 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.

 

 

2022 Extension ProHort Core Course

Online at-your-own-pace course starting January 6, 2022

Comprehensive horticulture knowledge that homeowners, hobbyists, and professionals can use to transform their gardens. Now conveniently offered online, The ProHort Core Course unlocks the same trusted training that Master Gardeners receive, developed and created by University of Minnesota Extension. Watch a video about ProHort (1 min 30 sec)
 

14 Horticulture modules
Course modules can be completed online, at-your-own-pace. There is a knowledge quiz at the end of each module:

  • Botany & Horticulture
  • Soils, Composting & Fertilizers
  • Herbaceous Plants
  • Woody Plants
  • Lawn Care
  • Weeds
  • Growing Vegetables
  • Growing Fruit
  • Indoor Plants
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Plant Pathology
  • Plant Diagnostics
  • Entomology
  • Living with Wildlife

 

How it works: Registered participants will receive course login information and details by email from your Course Coordinator, Laura, on or before January 6, 2022. If you have questions or challenges with accessing or navigating the online course, Laura will be available to assist you! Complete each module and quiz at-your-own-pace. Earn a Certificate of Completion by passing each of the 14 online knowledge quizzes that are available after each module. You may also choose to attend optional live sessions including a Meet-and-Greet with Laura, and weekly Q&A sessions with guest experts (included in the course fee).

Busy schedule? No problem, the online course is self-paced, and you will have access to complete all the online information, modules, and quizzes through December 2022. Expect an average of 40 - 60 hours to complete all the course material and quizzes.

 

Learn more about the ProHort Core Course
$550 Arboretum, MSHS, MNLA or ASLA-MN member
$590 non-member

Registration Deadline: January 3, 2022.

Or contact the Arboretum Education Office:
612-301-1210 or
ArbEdu@umn.edu

 Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library

Pam

 

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