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Thank you to the
Wisconsin Public Service Foundation!
Wow, do we have a lot to be thankful for! This spring we were honored to receive a $1,000 grant from the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. They provide grants to nonprofit organizations, associations and worthwhile community causes throughout the WPS service area. The foundation is funded by WEC Energy Group stockholders, not by customers of the energy companies.
The foundation supports programs in arts and culture, community and neighborhood development, health and human services, education and environment. In 2023 alone, they donated $1,689,137 to enhance the well being of the communities they serve. Thank you Wisconsin Public Service Foundation!
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2nd Annual Seed Library Launch
Our second annual Seed Library Launch was a great success. We gave away over 8,000 packets of seeds, saw over 500 people and had approximately 165 seats filled during our four educational seminars. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who gave their time, money and seeds to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who attended, it’s wonderful to see so many people interested in growing food for themselves and for the pollinators.
Because we had such a great turnout, we will be having one more seed packing event this spring to restock our supplies. It will be held in the Central Library on April 20. Click here to sign up for seed packing.
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Stratification Methods
The BCSL utilizes the stratification code system created by Prairie Moon Nursery, a seed company based in Minnesota. They have an excellent guide detailing not only what the codes mean, but different ways to achieve stratification. We encourage you to read the guide to learn more.
Germination Codes and Seed Starting Basics
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Time to Start Seedlings
Starting plants inside to later transplant outdoors can be a rewarding process that allows you to get a head start on your garden. For our area, it’s not too late to start onions, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and eggplant. April 1 is the day to start peppers--no April Fools! April 22 is the date to sow seeds indoors for tomatoes. Here are the steps you can follow:
-Plan Ahead: Begin by selecting the right seeds for the plants you want to grow, considering our climate and the time needed for each plant to mature. Check the seed envelope for growing information.
-Start Indoors: Plant your seeds in small pots or seed trays filled with a good quality seed starting mix. (Garden soil is not recommended.) Keep the soil moist and place the containers in a warm, sunny location or under a grow light to encourage growth. Self-watering trays work especially well to keep the soil consistently moist. Another suggestion is to expose the plants to wind by a fan to help strengthen the stems. Even gently brushing your hand over the tender seedlings a few times a day can help.
-Potting Up: It's time to pot up whenever a seedling has outgrown its current container. At a minimum, seedlings should have at least two sets of true leaves. That would be in addition to the first leaves it grew. Use a bigger size pot to move your seedlings into. This is also a good time to start fertilizing the plants.
-Prepare to Transplant Outdoors: Once your seedlings have grown a few sets of leaves and the weather is warm enough, you can start preparing for transplanting outdoors. Begin by hardening off your plants, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7-10 days. Start with just an hour or two the first day, and gradually increase this outside exposure to all day. I can’t stress how important this is. Many plants have been lost at this stage of the process. If outside conditions are very windy, you may want to consider providing a bit of a wind block when starting to set your plants outdoors.
-Planting Outside: Choose a suitable spot outside with the right amount of sunlight and soil quality for each plant type. Make sure the plant in the tray or pot is well watered, carefully remove the plant from its pot, and gently loosen the roots if they are tightly packed. Dig a hole in the garden or pot that is larger than the root ball of the plant. Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was in the pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in the hole with soil and water the plant thoroughly to help it settle into its new home.
By following these steps, you can successfully start plants indoors and later transplant them outdoors, giving them the best chance to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest. From your harvest, consider saving seeds for the BCSL!
Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener,
with assistance from Canva AI
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Seed Steward News
Have you completed the steps to becoming a Seed Steward yet?
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3…
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Go to our seed saver webpage and watch our 3 videos, available anytime on You Tube.
- Attend one in person hands on training.
- Fill out the Certification Survey.
This year we are hoping to make it even easier! We are asking all existing and aspiring Seed Stewards to consider saving the following 5 varieties of seeds for the seed library:
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Riesentraube Cherry Tomato
- Pimento Sweet Pepper
- Muncher Cucumber
- Sugar Ann Pea
These seeds were chosen because they are either high cost and/or high demand. With Muncher cucumbers, this will also give us the opportunity to show how to use blossom bags to control pollination. We will be growing each of these 5 varieties in the Children's Edible Garden at the Library, so you can observe their growth and watch the Master Gardeners do the steps of seed saving for each plant. There will be opportunities on Tuesday nights to join Master Gardeners and ask questions. Dates/times will be posted on the library website.
For in-person training this year, we will be offering 3 sessions at the Central Library.
The dates/times are:
- June 8, 10:30 am-11:15am
- July 30, 6:15 pm-7pm
- Aug 27, 6:15 pm-7pm
We hope to see you in the garden!
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One Seed, One Community
This year, the Sugar Ann snap pea has been selected for our 1S1C program. This program is to encourage all gardeners in the community to participate in saving seeds for our library. You can get your free packets of Sugar Ann snap peas at the Brown County Central Library.
Sugar Ann snap peas are a delightful variety of peas known for their sweet flavor and crisp texture. These peas are a favorite among gardeners due to their early maturity and high productivity. When it comes to planting Sugar Ann snap peas, there are a few key qualities and conditions to keep in mind for successful growth.
First and foremost, Sugar Ann snap peas thrive in cool weather, making them an excellent choice for early spring or fall planting. In our area, the recommendation is to start planting peas after April 22. That is this month! These peas prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, so be sure to amend your soil with compost before planting. Peas as a rule do better trellised, however, this variety grows short vines and does not require a support. In terms of planting depth, sow Sugar Ann snap pea seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Additionally, ensure your peas receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth. By following these qualities and conditions, you can look forward to a bountiful harvest of delicious Sugar Ann snap peas in your garden. From your bountiful harvest, make sure you leave some pods on the vines until they turn brown. That’s when you know the seeds are ready to harvest. Happy April Planting!
Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener,
with assistance from Canva AI
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Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:
April 1, 1pm -2pm (free)
Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer: From Identification to Action
Virtual, UW Extension
April 1, 6pm - 8pm ($)
Perennials for Shade
Virtual, UW Extension
April 3, noon - 1pm (free)
"What’s the Deal with No Mow May?"
Virtual, UW Extension
April 6, 11am - 12:15pm (free)
Foraging for Health and Wellness
Brown County Library East Branch
April 8, 6pm - 8pm ($)
Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries
Virtual, UW Extension
April 9, 1pm - 2:30pm ($)
Three Sisters Garden
Green Bay Botanical Gardens, 2600 Larsen Rd
April 9, 6:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
No Dig + Hugelkultur
Virtual, MN State Horticulture Society
April 10, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Garden Watch Party: Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Watch Party at Central Library
April 12
4 weeks till last frost
April 20, 9:30am - 12pm & 12:30pm - 3pm (free)
Seed Packing Event
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St
April 21, noon -4pm (free)
Earth Day Celebration
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, 1660 East Shore Dr.
April 22, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Ask the Experts: A Monthly Garden and Landscape Q&A Series
Virtual, UW Extension
April 22, 6pm - 7:30pm ($)
The Winged Garden
Green Bay Botanical Gardens, 2600 Larsen Rd
April 24, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Plant Disease Management by Design: Preventing Plant Disease Problems During the Landscape Design Process
Virtual, UW Extension
April 25, noon - 1pm (free)
Establishing a Bee Lawn – Current Research and Practical Techniques
Virtual, UW Extension
April 25, 5pm - 6:30pm (free)
Bountiful Branches Mini-Class
Virtual, New Leaf Foods
April 26
2 weeks till last frost
April 27, 10am - 11:30am ($)
Intro to Foraging Hike at Baird Creek Parkway
Meet in Lower Parking Lot, 324 Baird Creek Rd
April 27, 10am -11am (free)
Wisconsin’s Pollinators (presented by the Gardeners Club of Green Bay)
GBBG, 2600 Larsen Rd
April 30- May 2 ($)
Friends of the Library’s Big Book Sale
Brown County Central Library Lower Level
May 1, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Garden Watch Party: Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Watch Party at Central Library
May 10
Last estimated frost!
May 15, noon - 1pm (free)
The Buzz About Wisconsin’s Periodical Cicadas
Virtual, UW Extension
May 18, 1pm - 3pm (free)
Safe & Successful Garden TransPLANTs -- and Give-Away!
Central Library
May 20, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Ask the Experts: A Monthly Garden and Landscape Q&A Series
Virtual, UW Extension
May 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
The Science (and Art) of Plant Disease Diagnosis
Virtual, UW Extension
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Plant Profile:
New England Aster
This month we would like to highlight the New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). This enchanting wildflower offers both aesthetic appeal and vital support to a myriad of pollinators. Its nectar-rich flowers, characterized by striking purple petals surrounding golden yellow centers, beckon bees, butterflies, other insects and even hummingbirds with their irresistible allure.
The New England Aster is native to North America, primarily found in the eastern and central regions of the United States and parts of Canada. It thrives in a range of soil types, from dry and sandy to moist and loamy, making it a resilient and adaptable species. To start from seed, sow at surface depth outdoors in fall or indoors in spring after 60 days cold moist stratification. For optimal growth, provide it with full sun exposure, though it can tolerate partial shade. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent waterlogging, but this species can withstand periods of drought once established.
New England Aster generously rewards gardeners with an abundant display of blooms from late summer up until frost, providing essential sustenance for our pollinator friends. This contribution is especially crucial as it offers vital nourishment at a time when many other flowers have ceased blooming. In addition to being a host plant for Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars, species such as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) are frequent visitors. Beyond butterflies, New England Aster also provides sustenance for a variety of birds and mammals. Nectar-feeding birds, such as hummingbirds, are known to visit the flowers. Additionally, the seeds of the New England Aster serve as a valuable food source for seed-eating birds like finches and sparrows during the winter months. Planting New England Aster will provide enjoyment for you and all creatures that visit your garden.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
OpenAI. (2023)
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Featured Recipe
Strawberry Granita
Ingredients
- ½ c sugar
- ½ c warm water
- 3 c sliced strawberries
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- Lemon zest (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Place sugar and water in a blender and process until sugar is dissolved. Add strawberries and lemon juice, process until smooth. Pour mixture into an 8 inch square baking dish. Cover and freeze 3 hrs; stir well. Cover and freeze 5 hours or overnight.
- Remove mixture from freezer; let stand at room temperature 10 minutes. Scrape entire mixture with a fork until fluffy. Garnish with lemon zest or fresh mint leaves if desired.
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, Cooking through the Seasons
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Spring Plant Sales
Spring is the time for plant sales! If you choose to buy started plants, we encourage you to support your local small businesses and non-profits this year.
One of our partner organizations, New Leaf Foods, is offering a sale of perennial food bearing plants called Bountiful Branches. Sale is open now until sold out, supplies are limited.
Visit https://www.newleaffoods.org/bountiful-branches today to shop!
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