Upcoming Events!

The Biggest Little Farm

  A great film showing at the Plaza Theater in Maplewood.  The plot summary: “A testament to the immense complexity of nature, this documentary follows two dreamers who bring harmony to both their lives and the land as they work to develop a sustainable 200 acre farm.” 
Synopsis from Fandango: “Two dreamers and a dog embark on an odyssey to bring harmony to their lives and to the land. As their plan to create perfect harmony takes a series of wild turns, they will have to reach a greater understanding of the intricacies and wisdom of nature.”
The film has wonderful cinematography, is uplifting and inspiring. I have much more respect for traditional farmers after watching this movie. And hope that we can heal the Earth.
To watch a trailer see: https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/

As far as I can tell it is only playing at the Plaza Theater in Maplewood. Cost is $3 ($2 on Tuesdays).  Check the Plaza’s website for times. I don’t know how long it will be playing, so see it soon. Anyone who grows food will want to see this!

Plaza Theater info: https://theplazatheater.com/

UMN Organic Open House July 23rd, 5-7 pm 

Stop by for a chance to hear about innovative organic growing practices and talk with researchers about current organic and sustainable agriculture research. Growers, students, researchers, and community members are invited to attend. These events are FREE & open to the public. 

Concurrent with the UMN Organic Open House will be a field day on summer cover crop mixes and how they can be used to improve soil health and fertility on your farm. Come learn about a variety of flowering summer cover crop options and summer cover crop research taking place at the University of Minnesota. Field day is supported by a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant.

This year's events will feature:

• Summer cover cropping systems for soil health and beneficial insect support
• SWD research in raspberries
• Cover crops for soil health in high tunnels
• Increasing production of summer lettuce and cauliflower
• Planting method effects on cover crop growth and soil benefits
• Alternative crops: field peas and quinoa

Location: Cornercopia Organic Farm on the UMN St. Paul Campus, Intersection of Lindig St & Dudley Ave.

Parking is available in the Gortner Ave Ramp, 1395 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108.

• Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019, 5-7 pm
• Thursday, Sept 19, 2019, 4-6 pm

More info contact:
Anne Pfeiffer
Organic Program Associate
University of MN/Grossman Lab
436 Alderman Hall, 1970 Folwell Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
apfeiffe@umn.edu
612-626-2217

https://www.organicag.umn.edu/cornercopia/2017fieldday

Join the Seed Library at Market Fest!

The Seed Library will be at the last White Bear Lake Marketfest on July 25^th from 6-9pm.

We will be at a booth on 4^th and Banning along with other displays at the Environmental Resource Expo. Other booths at the expo include; Tamarac Nature Center, Rainbow Tree Care, University of MN Turf Science, Watershed Partners, Sierra Club, Master Gardeners, Electric cars and many more.

We’ll have lots of seed info and a game to win candy. Stop by to say hi to Bev and myself!

New Forest Farm Tour

“New Forest Farm is a diverse Restoration Agriculture research site in the Driftless Area of Southwestern Wisconsin. Come join us for a beautiful walk at the farm. This marks the start of tree crops harvesting season where the hazelnuts, apples, pears, grapes are bountiful. We will be doing a hybrid hazelnut harvesting demo too!”

You can take the tour on Saturday August 17, 10am – 1 pm. $20.

See https://newforestfarm.us/

Note: I wasn’t able to find the address on their website, but found it by google-- 15124 ASH RIDGE DR VIOLA, WI 54664

Ramsey Master Gardener Classes

Weeds & Pests Identification, 7/27 – Shoreview Public Library

See details and other classes at: www.ramseymastergardeners.com

Future Seed Talks and Seed Packaging

September – MONDAY, September 9^th, 6:30pm – How to Save Seeds

September – Wednesday, September 11^th, 5pm Seed packaging

October – Tuesday, October 8^th, 6:30 pm – Putting Your Garden to bed

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: https://wblseedlibrary.blogspot.com/

Fruit Growing

Fruit

Check the University Of Minnesota Extension website for information on growing many kinds of fruit:

https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/fruit

Basics: 

Eight hours or more of full sun.

Many need 2 varieties in order to successfully pollinate.

Prune to annually.

Get a soil test to determine if you need to amend your soil.

Soil test info at:  http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/

Protect fruit bearing plants from rabbits and deer with fencing.

Growing Native fruit in Minnesota

There are several native plants which bear fruit which humans can eat that grow in Minnesota. Such as Black cap raspberry (Rubus species), Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Currant (Ribes species), Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis), Wild grape (Vitis Riparia), Juneberry (Amelanchier species), Red mulberry (Morus rubra) and Wild plum (Prunus americana).

NOTE!! It was mentioned at the Seed Talk that American Spikenard has edible berries, but use caution. Some sources say it is edible and some say it is not!!!

Website with good information:

http://www.hampdenparkcoop.com/native-minnesota-fruits-primer

Also, the book Wild Berries & Fruit , Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan, by Teresa Marrone

Fruit!

Hello Gardeners!

Hope your gardens are fruiting, flowering and producing. Mother Nature has given us lots of rain to help things along. I noticed some powdery mildew on some of my beardtongues the last few days which I’m sure was caused by the humidity and bountiful rain. Maybe you noticed some on your plants too. Here are some ideas:

Make sure your plants have plenty of air flow.

Mix up 40% milk and 60% water. Spray on plants when sun is shining. Milk protein will kill off mold spores. OR

Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 1/2 tsp. liquid hand soap with one gallon of water. Spray solution on affected leaves. OR

Combine 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a quart water in a bottle spray. Mist the mixture on the leaves to stop fungi from growing. Can also use this as a preventive method.

Do not compost diseased plants or leaves in your compost pile so the mold doesn’t spread.

Next Seed Talk

July 9th – Fruit

Fruit is tasty and good for you. Learn how to grow raspberries, blueberries, fruit trees and other less common fruit at our next Seed Talk on Tuesday evening, July 9th at 6:30 pm at the White Bear Lake branch of the RCL. Come to share your knowledge and maybe pick up some new tips. Seed Talks are group discussions on a certain topic. Please share your experiences and questions growing fruit.

We’ll be joined by Loretta, a Ramsey County Master Gardener who grows various kinds of fruit. She’ll share her own tips and expertise at our discussion.

Cool Beans Newsletter

The current Cool Beans newsletter has an informative article on how to save native plant seeds. You can read the latest version of this seed library newsletter at: www.seedlibraries.net

Other Events

Ramsey Master Gardener Classes

Vegetable Gardening (Advanced)

7/13 – Roseville Public Library

Weeds & Pests Identification

7/13 – North Dale Rec Center

7/17 – Ramsey Master Gardener Barn

7/27 – Shoreview Public Library

See details and other classes at: www.ramseymastergardeners.com

Future Seed Talks

August – none

September – MONDAY, September 9^th, 6:30pm – How to Save Seeds

October – Tuesday, October 8^th, 6:30 pm – Putting Your Garden to bed

Pam

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: https://wblseedlibrary.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Seed Talk

Hello Gardeners

I hope your gardens are growing great. I had over 3” of rain recently, but I know other areas hardly received any. If you were not on the receiving end of the needed moisture, you may want to water your tomatoes by hand. To help prevent cracked skins and blossom end rot tomatoes need to grow in evenly moist soil. Now would be a good time to mulch your tomato and other vegetable plants. Your plants will also appreciate some mulch during the hot steamy weather this weekend.

National Pollinator Week

“In 2006 the United States Senate designated the first National Pollinator Week as a way to recognize the importance of pollinators to agriculture and ecosystem health.” Check out the article about these wonderful creatures and how they help us. This is a great blog site to visit often!

https://www.ecobeneficial.com/2014/06/national-pollinator-week-thank-bee-fly-even-beetle/

Upcoming Seed Talk

Tuesday July 9, 6:30pm at the White Bear Lake library. The topic is growing fruit. This is a huge topic and we will not be able to cover all the different kinds of fruit, so bring your questions and tips. We will be joined by a Ramsey County Master Gardener who can help us learn how to grow these tasty morsels. Hope to see you there!

Other Events:

Bev and I will be at Market Fest on the last day, July 25, 6-9 pm. If you are attending that night, come say “Hi”. We will have a table at the area of the Annual WBL Environmental Advisory committee Expo, which is located on 4th Street just west of Banning Ave.

More Seed Talk Info:

I find my August is quite hectic, so there will not be a Seed Talk that month.

Also, starting in September, the Seed Talks will alternate between the 2^nd Monday evenings and the 2^nd Tuesday evenings. Some of you mentioned you cannot attend on Tuesday evenings due to other commitments. Though I am sure some cannot attend on Mondays, perhaps this will allow more people to come to the Seed Talks. If the month is an odd number the Seed Talk will be on a Monday evening. If the month is an even number the Seed Talk will be on Tuesday evening. Note the library is only open in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I will try this arrangement for the rest of 2019 and see how it goes, so let me know if this works better for you or not.

Future Seed Talks:

Monday, September 9, 6:30pm. Topic – How to Save Seeds

Tuesday, Oct 8^th, 6:30pm. Topic – Putting Your Garden to Bed

Starting in September, I’ll be scheduling seed packaging events. Stay tuned for more info. Don’t forget—Save Your Seeds! We especially will need beans, peas, lettuce, tomato and native plant seeds for next season.  

Happy gardening!

Pam

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: https://wblseedlibrary.blogspot.com/

Next Seed Talk - Tomatoes!

Hello Gardeners

Isn’t it great that the ground has started to dry out and we can start planting our gardens? But please step lightly on water soaked soil to preserve its structure. Sometimes I take 2 scraps of 2X4 lumber and use it as temporary stepping stones in my garden while I’m planting. It helps spread out my weight so I don’t compact the soil. I stand on one piece and then place the second piece at the next spot I want to be. I move the board steps along as I garden. If you have the space you could use a small piece of scrap plywood as a stepping platform. I also permanently place stone steps in my gardens so I can step on them while weeding or deheading, etc. during the summer.

Next Seed Talk June 11^th – Tomatoes!

Everyone (or almost everyone) loves the taste of a home grown tomato. Many of us grow our own or buy these juicy orbs from a farmer’s market. At the next Seed Talk we’ll be tackling how to grow tomatoes. I’m sure there are many of you who have some tried and tested tips to share. Please come to the Seed Talk on Tuesday evening, June 11 at 6:30 pm at the White Bear Lake branch of the RCL to share your knowledge and maybe pick up some new tips.

We’ll be joined by Joe, a Ramsey County Master Gardener who is passionate about tomatoes! He’ll share his own tips at our discussion.

Enjoy digging in the dirt!

Pam

Plant a Row

Please consider planting an extra row of peas or beans or a couple extra plants of lettuce or tomatoes to harvest the seeds for the Seed Library. The Seed Library depends on community donations to keep providing seeds. 

Contact info for the Seed Library:

Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com

Blog site: https://wblseedlibrary.blogspot.com/

EVENTS:

Jun 9 – Landscape Revival Plant Sale, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128

The Oakdale Native Plant Expo and Market offers gardeners one convenient location to shop for Minnesota native plants from 6 local native growers and learn how to use the plants from conservation organizations. The goal of Landscape Revival is to promote the use of native plants by educating about their benefits for wildlife habitat, pollinators, water quality and landscape diversity. Plants sold at the sale are neonic free.

https://www.saintpaulaudubon.org/events/landscape-revival-native-plant-expo-market-oakdale/

June 11 – Seed Talk – Tomatoes

Come join fellow gardeners as we talk about tomatoes. Share your tips and techniques for growing tomatoes. If you are new to growing tomatoes come join us to find out how to grow these tasty orbs. Open to all, experienced or not. Tuesday, June 11^th, at 6:30pm at the White Bear Lake library, 2150 2^nd St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.