Hello Gardeners!
Welcome to year 2022!
January is the time when the seed catalogs are coming to my mail box and I’m pouring over their tempting photos and descriptions for seeds to plant for next season. I always order too much thinking I have room or energy to plant way more than I really do. I try to keep in mind the to-do list I wrote late last summer too—I may pass on peas this year as I had baby bunnies thwart my fence and gobbled up my entire crop!
Though I am somewhat content with happy memories of the warm sunshine and smell of fresh soil during the winter, I am glad I have many houseplants to keep my attention. Maybe you think you have a brown thumb when it comes to house plants, but I bet with a little bit of information and some tips you can be rewarded with something green and living during our long winters.
Tune into the Zoom webinar of the Seed Talk this coming Tuesday, January 11th at 6:30 pm where I’ll talk about growing houseplants. I’ll cover basic requirements of houseplants as well as offer a few tips. Flowering plants as well as some edible houseplants will be covered too.
As with all Seed Talks, this is a community interactive event and your questions, advice and experiences are most welcome!
To register for the event, go to the White Bear Lake library page at: Seed Talk registration.
(Register at least 3 hours prior to the event, before the library closes registration.)
Hope to see you at the Seed Talk!
Pam
Update on Seeds
The native plant seeds drawers are bursting. From now through 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 or by sowing in pots you place outside all winter. Check out the Joe Gardner’s podcast for information on this method here.
The full list of native 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
I have only received one envelope of seeds from the ‘Grow a Row’ participants. I hope more than one person had success growing their peas or beans. There still is time to get the seeds back to the seed library. 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.
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato, bean, lettuce and pea seeds. 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.
Mar 8, 2022 Tues How to Start Seeds
Learn all the ins and outs of starting vegetable and flowers seeds.
Events
White Bear Lake Winter Farmer’s Market at Tamarack Nature Center,
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Saturday: 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
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