Lots of Seeds in the Seed Library!

 

Hello Gardeners

I’m happy to let you know I added over 200 packets of native plant seeds this month! There are lots to choose from and all of them are winners because native plants help pollinators. There are dozens of varieties. You can take a peek at the list here or you can go to the blogsite link below. The seed lists are on the right side of the blog site.

 

Just a note about native plant seeds—Most native plant seeds need a period of stratification before they will germinate. Stratification is a period of cold, moist conditions that breaks the dormancy of native plant seeds. In nature this is called ‘winter’!

This was the topic of Tuesday’s Seed Talk, but below is a brief description.

You can help get your native seeds a head start by doing one of the following right now:

1. Direct sow the seeds outside in a prepared bed. They should germinate next spring.

2. Use the winter sowing method to create a little like greenhouse for the seeds. Basically you cut a plastic jug in half, leaving a small part uncut as a hinge. Poke holes in the top, bottom and sides. Remove the bottle cap. Add potting soil and seeds. Water. Tape the top shut and write on the outside the type of seeds. Place OUTSIDE now in a sheltered area that will get sun, snow and rain. Early next spring you should see seedlings growing that you can transplant to your garden.

3. You can stratify seeds inside your refrigerator by placing damp sand and the seeds in a plastic zip lock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for the number of days necessary to stratify. Remove the bag after the length of time and place the sand and seeds on a tray with potting soil. Place the tray under lights and water as needed. Soon you will have seedlings you can harden off outside and plant in your garden.

The seed packets in the seed library are labelled with the number of days needed for stratification or you can find this information online as well.

 

I also added 80 packets of lettuce seed of various varieties. Maybe some of you grow hydroponically during the winter months. Lettuce is an easy crop to grow inside as it doesn’t need as much light as some vegetables and it grows fast.

 

 

The seed library is taking seeds from peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and native plants. Now is a great time to donate seeds, especially ripe native plant seeds.

 

Upcoming Events:

                   

Winter Market – Farmer’s Saturday Dec 9 and Jan 13, 10-1pm, Normandy Park Education Center

2482 County Road F East, White Bear Lake MN 55110

 

The White Bear Lake Seed Library will be at this market on January 13^th.

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.

This year they are back partially inside, as our community has requested! The majority of vendors will be inside, along with our community booths and the Senior Center Craft Corner. They’ll be offering monthly classes as well!

 

See Winter FM for more information.

 

 University of MN 2024 ProHort Core Course

 

The ProHort Core Course offers 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 Gardener Volunteers receive. The ProHort Core Course is developed and created by University of Minnesota Extension, and offered through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
 

14 Horticulture modules
ProHort Core Course modules can be completed online, and 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

 

Course opens Jan. 11, 2024
Registered participants will receive an email with the Course login instructions and details from the Course Coordinator on January 10, 2024. If you have questions or challenges with accessing or navigating the online course on or after January 11, the Coordinator is available to assist you!

How it works
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 the Coordinator and 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 2024. Expect an average of 40 to 60 hours to complete all the course material and quizzes.

For more information.

Registration Deadline: January 9, 2024

 

 

Pam

 

 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: WBL Seed Library