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It’s time for the big
harvests of summer!
Summer produce is ripening here in NE Wisconsin! I get so excited for the first cucumbers, green beans and tomatoes of the year. There is something so satisfying about walking out to your garden and coming back with the ingredients for a meal. However, sometimes you get so much at once you don't know what to do with it! If you start to feel overwhelmed with the amount of produce coming from your garden, remember:
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Even if your family can't eat them all, you can harvest those crops to share. Planting for a purpose is a program where you donate your excess produce to food pantries. You can track your donations to see how much food you contribute during the season. Click here to learn more.
- If you miss the harvest window, there is still hope. Read below to learn about incidental seed saving. Maybe those plants can go to seed and not only feed your family next year but many families through the seed library!
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Incidental or Intentional?
Seed saving is an age-old practice which involves collecting seeds from mature plants to use for future planting. Seed saving can be categorized into two main types: incidental and intentional. Both methods have their unique attributes and implications for biodiversity, crop resilience, and cultural heritage.
Incidental seed saving happens by chance, more than design. For instance, gardeners might notice some seeds left over after a harvest and decide to save them rather than discard them. This method is often less systematic and can lead to unpredictable results, as the seeds might come from random plants with unselected traits. While incidental seed saving might not always guarantee optimal plant performance, it can still contribute to genetic diversity. The random nature of this practice can sometimes result in the discovery of unique and resilient plant varieties that might not have been intentionally cultivated.
On the other hand, intentional seed saving is a more deliberate and planned process. It involves selecting plants with desirable traits and carefully collecting seeds from these plants. This practice often requires knowledge of plant breeding and the lifecycle of the crops. By saving seeds intentionally, gardeners adapt their crops to local growing conditions, enhancing food security and sustainability.
Both incidental and intentional seed saving have significant roles in agriculture and gardening. While incidental seed saving can add to genetic diversity through chance, intentional seed saving provides a more controlled approach to ensure seed security is maintained for desired seeds. Together, these practices contribute to a resilient and diverse landscape, supporting both food security and environmental sustainability.
Below is a chart showing examples of both intentional and incidental seeds saving with an explanation of how one gardener manages their seed saving. Walk around your garden and see if you can find plants going into seed. You might find some worth keeping for next year’s garden.
Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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One Seed, One Community
If you planted your Sugar Ann Snap Peas at the beginning of June, and if you were able to not eat all of the delicious pods, then it probably is seed harvesting time for you.
How do you know when the pods are ready to harvest for seeds? Pods will change color from green to brown, and even the plant might look like it is on its way out.
What do you do with the pods? It is best to pick the brown pods off the vine and lay in a single layer in a shallow cardboard box or screen placed to further dry out.
Where do they go? Bring your cache of seeds to the Brown County Library. On Saturday, September 14 there will be “The Return of the Sugar Ann Snap Pea” celebration. Join us in cleaning seeds for the Seed Library on that day.
Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Garden for Wildlife
Recently, the Children’s Edible Garden at the Central Library was added to the Homegrown National Park’s Biodiversity Map. We planted several species of plants considered keystone species for our area. “Keystone plants are natives that are essential to our ecosystems because they support 90% of the caterpillar species that enable our terrestrial birds to reproduce, as well as all of our specialist native bee species.” (NWF) Thus, keystone plants are critical to ecosystem health, resilience and stability.
The National Wildlife Federation discusses keystone species in detail. We used their listing for Eastern Temperate Forests to help determine our planting list. Some examples of keystone plants in our region that we have utilized in our space include American plum (Prunus americana), Juneberry (Amelanchier sp.), and New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). We encourage everyone to read the list for our area, learn about keystone species, and incorporate them into your landscape if you are able. The health of our local ecosystems depends on what we allow to exist within them.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
Open AI
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Book Review:
Month-by-Month Gardening Guide:
Daily Advice for Growing Flowers, Vegetables, Herbs & Houseplants
Authored by: Franz Böhmig
Böhmig’s guide is written in two parts. The first is numbered and written step by step for preparing and tending to your garden all throughout the year, sharing facts and ideas for useful tasks which could remedy late-winter cabin fever. There are tips for establishing winter nesting habitat for birds or cleaning tools before spring arrives. This section of the guide is organized for general, vegetable, and ornamental gardening.
Part two is a series of tables which can be a helpful way to see various information laid out. Böhmig offers guidance on possible seed sowing dates; plant lists overview their growth patterns and suitability in a landscape; and lists of common plant diseases including measures for prevention and control. Worth noting is the extensive index making this a user-friendly reference.
This book, Month-by-Month Gardening Guide: Daily Advice for Growing Flowers, Vegetables, Herbs & Houseplants, is available for checkout and on our Libby app.
Submitted by Jennifer Classon, Brown County Central Library Associate and N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Plant Profile: Summer Squash and Zucchini
This month, we are talking about summer squash and zucchini. Unlike winter squash, summer squash and zucchini are harvested before the rind hardens and the fruit matures. They have high yields relative to the space they occupy in the garden and offer great flexibility in their culinary uses. Classic sweet treats such as zucchini bread and zucchini brownies are staples at summer BBQs, and baby zucchini grilled with a little oil, salt, and pepper is as delicious and simple as it gets. The University of Minnesota has a wonderful webpage dedicated to growing summer squash and managing pests or diseases they may face. Click this link to learn more.
A side note: monitor your plants frequently. Healthy plants can be overrun by pests quickly, such as squash bugs. This plant will be fed to my chickens, and hopefully, they will catch all the nymphs before they mature. Only adult squash bugs can overwinter to cause problems for you next season; the nymphs die off.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:
Aug 2, 10am - 11am (free)
Salsa and the Taco Dragon: An Edible Garden Adventure
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Aug 3, 10am - noon (free)
Tour of Augusta and Maple Community Garden
1032 N Maple Ave, Green Bay
Aug 6, 10:30am - 1:30pm ($)
Glen Innish Farm Tour
E5427 Second Rd, Kewaunee
Aug 6, 3pm - 6pm (free)
NEW Master Gardener Tank Garden Open House
2640 S Webster Ave, Green Bay
Aug 6, 6pm - 7:30pm (free)
Evenings in the Library's Edible Garden
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Aug 7, noon - 12:30pm (free)
Planning for Fall Planting:
Choosing the Right Trees and Shrubs for Success
Virtual, UW Extension
Aug 7, 5pm - 6pm (free)
Weed with A Master Gardener at the Neville Public Museum
210 Museum Pl, Green Bay
Aug 13, noon -12:30pm (free)
Tree Planting 101: Setting Trees Up for Success
Virtual, UW Extension
Aug 13, 5pm - 7:30pm (free)
NEW Master Gardener West YMCA Garden Open House
601 Cardinal Ln, Green Bay
Aug 13, 5pm - 6pm (free)
Seed Saving Basics
Virtual, Northern Gardener
Aug 13, 6pm - 7:30pm (free)
Evenings in the Library's Edible Garden
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Aug 13, 6pm - 8pm (free)
“Searching for Sustainability” Film screening and panel discussion
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Aug 13, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Wild Ones Tour of Sikora residence
978 Lakeview Dr, Green Bay
Aug 14, 1pm - 2:30pm ($)
Hydrangea Walk
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
Aug 19, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Ask the Experts: A Monthly Garden and Landscape Q&A Series
Virtual, UW Extension
Aug 20, 6pm - 7:30pm (free)
Evenings in the Library's Edible Garden
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Aug 22, 6pm - 7pm (free)
Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants
Virtual, Wild Ones
Aug 24, 9am - 2pm ($)
Wild Ones Late Season Native Plant Sale
Stone Silo Prairie Garden, 2325 Oak Ridge Cir, De Pere
August 27, 6:15pm - 7:30pm (free)
Seed Steward Training in the Children's Edible Garden
515 Pine St
Aug 28, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Hosta Diseases
Virtual, UW Extension
Sept 7, 10am - 11am (free)
Tour of Theeke residence
2742 Main St, Green Bay
Sept 9, 7pm - 8pm (free)
Restoring Habitat in the Fox River and Green Bay
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
Sept 11, noon - 12:30pm (free)
Seasonal Secrets: Fall Bulb Planting
Virtual, UW Extension
Sept 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Turf Alternatives
Virtual, Northern Gardener
Sept 14, TBD
Seed Cleaning Event and Return of the Sugar Ann Peas
515 Pine St, Green Bay
Sept 19, 6pm - 7pm (free)
The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows
Virtual, Wild Ones
Sept 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
No Dig + Hügelkultur
Virtual, Northern Gardener
Sept 23, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Ask the Experts: A Monthly Garden and Landscape Q&A Series
Virtual, UW Extension
Sept 25, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Growing Healthy Plants: Basics in Plant Disease Management
Virtual, UW Extension
Sept 28, 9am - 5pm (free)
Fall Family Fest at the Botanical Garden
Seed Harvesting for the Seed Library during Fall Family Fest
1pm - 3pm
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
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Featured Recipe
Cheddar, Chive and Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups zucchini, shredded (do not squeeze)
1/4 cup chives, diced
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Mix the zucchini, chives, eggs, sour cream, and butter well before mixing in the cheese.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and pour the batter into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Bake in a preheated 350F oven until a toothpick pushed into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes.
- Take out and top with fresh cheddar cheese and chives and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Let cool… Remove from pan and slice. Top with butter if desired and enjoy
Submitted by Eileen Rueden, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Support the BCSL!
We are entirely supported by grants, donations and volunteers! If you are interested, there are many ways to support the BCSL.
*You can become a Seed Steward and support the library by growing out seeds from our core list to donate. We will accept seed donations by anyone who would like to donate, seeds can be dropped off at the STEM center or at the Central library.
*You can volunteer to sort and pack seeds. Opportunities will be posted on the New Leaf Foods Calendar of Events, included in our newsletters and posted with the Volunteer Center of Brown County.
*You can make a monetary donation through our Fiscal Agent, New Leaf Foods. Click here to donate.
*You can visit our Amazon Wish List, which has basic packing supplies that we utilize for preparing our seeds for distribution. Click here to access the wishlist.
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