Monday, April 10, 2023

We have Tomatoes!

 

Hello Gardeners!

We Have Tomatoes!

Seeds that is. Due to a wonderful donation from Rita D., I added 80 packets of new varieties of tomatoes. I also added 40 packets of some current varieties of tomatoes. It’s certainly not too late to start your tomatoes as though the average last day of frost is May 10th, you will need to wait a couple weeks after that before setting out your tomatoes plants. It’s best to wait until both the day and night temperatures are above 55 degrees. There are few new pepper seeds too.

Here’s what tomatoes are in the seed library now:

Tomatoes: Regular Sized:

Abe Lincoln – red, 12oz, 70-77 days

Aunt Ruby’s German Green – green, 16 oz, 80-95 days

Berner Rose – pink beefsteak, 4-6 oz, 75 days

Big Rainbow – slicer, gold w/red stripes, 80-102 days

Black from Tulua – 10-12 oz slicer, purplish-brown, green shoulders, 80 days

Black Krim – brownish-purple-maroon, 80 days

Box Car Willie – red, 12-18 oz, 80 days

Cheroke Purple – dark purplish, 12-16 oz, 80 days

Brandywine – red, 8 oz, 80-100 days

Dakota Sport – red, 5-7 oz, 65-75 days

Earl of Edgecombe – yellow, light green shoulders, 3”, 69-80 days

Garden Peach – apricot color with fuzzy skin, 90 days

German Johnson – pink, 8-16 oz, 75 days

Hungarian Heart – pink, 1 lb, oxheart type, 85 days

Juane Flamme – apricot-orange, 2-4 oz, 80 days

Marglobe – red, 70-80 days

Mortgage Lifter – red, slicer, 83-90 days

Nebraska Wedding – apricot-orange, 4”, 90 days

Pineapple – yellow slicer, 1-2 lbs, 6’-1-‘ vines, 90 days

Prudence Purple – dark pink, 12-16 oz, 70 days

Rozovyi – pink, 3-12 oz, 86 days

 

Tomatoes: Cherry/Lunchbox Size:

Gold Rush Currant – yellow,  ¼”, 75-80 days

German Lunchbox    pinkish red, 70-80 days

Green Zebra – yellowish-green with dark stripes, 1.5”-2.5”, 2-3 oz, 75 days

Matt’s Wild Cherry – red, currant type from Mexico, 55 days

Red Cherry Large

Tommy Toe – red, 1-1.5”, 75-80 days

 

Tomatoes: Roma/Paste Tomatoes:

Nistru – red, ? days

 

Two handy charts for when to start seeds indoors and outdoors as well as the best time to transplant seedlings outside.

Note: The twin Cities is in Zone 4 and the average last date of frost is May 10th.

From Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Note, you must enter last date of frost): start calculator

From the Farmer’s Almanac: start chart

 

Plant Sales

 

Big River Big Woods Native Plant Sale

Big River Big Woods Chapter of Wild Ones is holding their  annual Native Plant Sale.  They have a wide selection of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees. 

 

Glacial Ridge Growers and Out Back Nursery are our native plants suppliers this year. Plants are neonic free.

Individual plants are available as 6-packs and 3-packs. Trees and shrubs are available in a variety of sizes.

This year we also have pre-designed garden packs.

More information and the online order form are at https://bigriverbigwoods.org/plant-sale/.

 Monday, May 1 - Order deadline: last day to place your order.
Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Day to pick up your plant orders.
Sunday, June 4, noon to 3 p.m. - Day to pick up your plant orders.

The pick-up location will be in White Bear Lake. The address will be included in the confirmation email. If it doesn't show up in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folders.

 

Friends School Plant Sale

Thousands of vegetable, herbs, annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, bulbs, native plants and rare plants are available at the largest plant sale in the U.S. Held on the State Fair grounds on May 12-14, 2023. This is a fund-raiser for the Friends School of Minnesota. If you have shopped this sale in previous years, please read their updated shopping procedures. All plants sold are neonic free. Visit friends-sale to get more information.

 

Anoka County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

Anoka County Master Gardeners are hosting their plant sale May 16-17, 2023. Details should be forthcoming on their website

 

Ramsey County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

Funds raised by the sale help support local youth horticulture projects and scholarships for University horticulture students.

Ramsey County Master Gardeners are hosting their annual plant sale on May 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Church of the Holy Childhood, 1435 Midway Pkwy, St Paul. 

The sale includes a large selection of native plants, vegetables, favorite and unique varieties of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, houseplants, quality garden gloves, and other great items to get your garden growing strong.  Funds raised support Master Gardener community and youth education programs in Ramsey County. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. 

For more information, visit www.RamseyMasterGardeners.org/plantsale.

 

Native Plant Expo and Market

 

Market: Purchase MN native plants from multiple growers. No systemic insecticides.

Expo: Learn to select and grow native plants for pollinators, wildlife, and water quality. Visit with educators and experts from conservation and environmental organizations. Get your landscaping questions answered.

 

Shoreview Native Plant Expo is June 10, 2023, 9am – 1pm

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Shoreview, MN

3920 Victoria St N
Shoreview, 55126
+ Google Map

Shoreview Expo

 

Oakdale Native Plant Expo is June 3, 2023, 9am – 1 pm

Oakdale Fire Station #1

5000 Hadley Ave N
Oakdale, MN 55128 United States
+ Google Map

Oakdale Expo

 

 

Happy Soil, Happy Plants  – Seed Talk

Wednesday, May 10th, 6:30 pm via Zoom

Do you know how much the health of your soil determines the health of your plants? This Seed Talk is about what is healthy soil and how do you improve your garden soil. Also, why healthy soil that is full of microorganisms is the best for improving vegetable yields, flowering plants and can even improve the health of our earth.

This is a Zoom meeting and you need to register on the Ramsey County library website at least 3 hours prior to the start of the Seed Talk.

Seed Talks are discussions with community members led by Horticulturist, lifelong gardener and one of the White Bear Lake Seed Library founders: Pam Larson Frink

 

Happy Planting!

Pam

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library