December 2024 Newsletter

Happy Holidays from the BCSL!

As we approach the close of the year, we’re reflecting on the incredible support and accomplishments that have made 2024 so impactful. This month, we are delighted to recognize the Rotary Club of Green Bay for awarding us a generous $2,500 grant—the second time they’ve supported our mission! Their commitment to fostering positive change in youth, education, and health initiatives across Brown County resonates deeply with our goals, and we’re honored to have their partnership.

We’re equally grateful for our amazing volunteers. At our most recent seed-packing event, we had such an incredible turnout that we had to move to a bigger room! Your energy and commitment to our mission is nothing short of inspiring. Thanks to your efforts, we’re already over halfway to our goal number of seed envelopes for the 2025 season. We’re also thrilled to announce that our next big milestone—the launch of our 2025 season—is set for March 8, 2025. More details will be shared in upcoming newsletters, so stay tuned!

As we look ahead to another year of growth, we wish you all a season filled with joy, connection, and warmth. Happy holidays, and a very Merry Christmas!

Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener

Nov 9 Seed Packing at Central Library

December's Garden:

Prepare, Reflect, Dream

As the chill of winter edges closer, the days grow shorter and the earth prepares to sleep beneath a blanket of frost. December, with its quiet grace, offers a perfect moment to tend to the slumbering garden, ensuring it is ready to awaken when spring smiles again.

In this serene pause, take the time to mend the steadfast fences that guard your sacred space, ensuring they stand tall against the whispers of winter winds. Look upon your humble shed, straightening its posture against the weight of snow and time. With gentle hands, cleanse your tools, their metal gleaming like silver under the pale winter sun, ready to carve the future.

Amidst this quiet labor, let your thoughts turn to the tiny vessels of life – the seeds. Organize and inventory these promises of growth, each one a potential masterpiece waiting to unfurl. Breath gently onto your seeds during germination testing, coaxing them to reveal their hidden vitality. Are they still filled with the spark of life? In a sanctuary of darkness, coolness, and dryness, lay seeds to rest until their time to flourish arrives.

As you put your garden to bed, let your mind wander to the horizon of the coming year. Reflect upon the tapestry of this past season – the vibrant successes, the gentle failures. What melodies did your garden sing, and what discord did it reveal? Gather these insights like precious gems, using them to shape the dreams of next year’s harvest.

In this quiet interlude, December gifts us the space to prepare, to reflect, and to dream. Let your garden rest and rejuvenate, as you yourself do the same.

Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener

Open AI

The Garden Tool that gets Better with Use

Maintaining a garden year after year can be greatly enhanced by using a garden journal. This tool helps track successes, challenges, and lessons learned, making future planning more effective. By documenting planting decisions, growth patterns, and weather conditions, you can make informed choices and optimize your garden’s productivity.

At the ADRC, our journal includes a layout template for documenting the garden's various containers, such as five deep wooden garden boxes, five large plastic planters, and several smaller ones. While the garden design often evolves throughout the season, each change is carefully noted, allowing us to refine the layout over time. We also record planting dates, crop varieties, locations, and harvest times. This helps us track productivity and maximize donations, as all produce is donated. Additionally, we note the source of seeds or plants, helping us identify what worked well and where to go for future purchases.

Here are a few examples of how we used the journal this year:

• We planted lettuce in both full sun and partial shade, but contrary to expectations, the lettuce struggled in the sunny spot due to excessive heat. The journal helped us track this issue, and we moved the lettuce to a shaded area while planting cucumbers in the sunny spot. This adjustment resulted in 34 pounds of lettuce and 81 pounds of cucumbers.
• In June, heavy rainfall waterlogged a large black planter without enough drainage holes, drowning the plants. The journal recorded this setback, prompting us to modify the planter with new soil and improved drainage, then replant it with Romano tomatoes and sweet peppers.
• In July, a shallow planter dried out in sunny weather. A petunia plant, hidden beneath a tall tomato plant, was relocated to the dry planter and thrived, adding beauty and pollinator support to the garden.

To get the most from your garden journal, document not only the layout and planting schedule but also smaller details like weather, plant performance, and any changes made throughout the season. Keep track of unused spaces for additional planting and record crop yields. Also, remember to keep a pencil or pen with your journal and store it in a dry place, like a plastic tote in the garden, for easy access.

A garden journal is an essential tool for gardeners who want to build on their experiences each season. It provides a simple way to track growth, make adjustments, and plan for the future. By carefully recording your garden’s journey, you’ll ensure your success grows year after year.

Submitted by Kate Fix and Melissa Wass, N.E.W. Master Gardeners

Open AI

Putting Your Garden to Bed for Winter:

A Sustainable Approach for

Wisconsin Gardens

As the first deep frosts arrive, it's time to finish putting your garden to "bed" for the winter. While this task may seem like just another chore, how you prepare your garden can have lasting benefits for soil health and local wildlife. By adopting a sustainable approach, you’ll help create a healthier environment for next year’s growing season.

It’s tempting to clear away all plant debris before winter, leaving a blank slate for spring. However, leaving plant roots in the soil can strengthen and enrich your garden. As roots decompose over the winter, they add organic matter to the soil, increasing available nutrients and improving its structure and moisture retention. To leave roots in place, simply cut plants at the base using a harvesting knife or pruning shears. For cover crops like buckwheat and radishes, let them die back naturally and decompose in place. For the above ground plant matter you can improve the soil even more by utilizing the "chop and drop" method: Cutting plants into small pieces and leaving them on the soil to break down. This process provides organic mulch that protects against erosion and allows the nutrients to be recycled for the next generation.  

Another consideration is leaving the stems of perennial plants standing. While it may seem tidier to cut everything back to the ground, many beneficial insects—such as native bees, wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings—rely on hollow stems for shelter over winter. Leaving these stems intact provides important overwintering habitats for these insects, which will help your garden come spring. Leave plants standing or cut them back to 12"-24" of stem height. New growth next season will hide the old stems and leave your plants as beautiful as ever, while supporting the ecosystem.

If possible, it’s best to leave all non-diseased plant matter in place over the winter. A "messy" garden full of standing stalks, leaf litter, and tall grasses provides shelter for wildlife like small mammals, birds, and insects. Native birds, including chickadees, sparrows, and finches, can use these areas for nesting and food as many seed heads persist through the season. Additionally, standing plant matter traps snow, insulating the soil and protecting beneficial creatures below the surface.

By leaving more in your garden, you’ll promote soil health, support pollinators, and create a safe habitat for wildlife. As you close down your garden, remember that this winter preparation sets the stage for a productive, thriving garden next year. And in the spring, as you plant your seeds from the Brown County Seed Library, you’ll benefit from a garden that’s been nurtured and rejuvenated over the winter months. Happy gardening!

Submitted by Melissa Wass, N.E.W. Master Gardener and Open AI

Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:

Dec 5, 7pm - 8:30pm (free)

Soil Basics

Virtual, UMN Extension

Dec 12, 6pm - 7pm (free)

Neonics & Advocacy: Protecting Pollinators and Influencing Policy

Virtual, Wild Ones

Dec 12, 7pm - 8:30pm (free)

Maple Syrup 101

Virtual, UNM Extension

Dec 16, 1pm - 2pm (free)

 Ask the Experts: A Monthly Garden and Landscape Q&A Series

Virtual, UW Extension

Dec 18, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)

Evil Twins: Plant Disease Look-Alikes

Virtual, UW Extension

Jan 4, 9:30am - 12pm & 12:30pm - 3pm (free)

Seed Packing Event

Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St

Jan 18, 1pm - 3pm (free)

Winter Seed Sowing Workshop: Jumpstart your Spring Garden

333 N. Broadway, De Pere

Jan 25, 10am - noon (free)

Gardeners Club of Green Bay Meeting: Allen Pyle presents Invasive Species Discussion on Jumping Worms, Japanese Beetles and Red Lily Beetles

2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay

Jan 27-30, 1pm - 2:30pm (free)

Climate-resilient pollinator habitats across 

Minnesota landscapes webinar series:

Virtual, UWM Extension

• Monday, Jan. 27:  Pollinators and pollination in a changing climate
• Tuesday, Jan. 28: Pollinators and climate change: Making an impact on the farm
• Wednesday, Jan. 29: Key steps for successful residential pollinator plantings
• Thursday, Jan: 30 Forests: The giants of pollinator habitat

Jan 28, 6:30pm - 8pm (free)

Design, build and grow: Get growing with raised beds

Virtual, UWM Extension

Storing Winter Fruits and Vegetables for Long-Term Freshness

Proper storage of winter fruits and vegetables is key to keeping them fresh and flavorful throughout the colder months. Each type of produce has specific needs for light, temperature, humidity, and airflow. By understanding these requirements, you can maximize the shelf life of your harvest. Here’s how to store common winter crops:

Apples

• Apples should be kept in a cool, dark place with good ventilation, ideally at 35-40°F and 90% humidity. Apples emit ethylene gas, which can cause other produce to ripen too quickly, so store them separately. Damaged apples release more ethylene, so inspect your apples regularly and remove any that are blemished or bruised.

Pumpkins and Squash

• Pumpkins and winter squash need cool, dry, dark conditions, ideally at 50-55°F. They should be kept off the floor to prevent moisture buildup and should not be exposed to humidity. A well-ventilated shelf in a root cellar works well. These vegetables can be stored near potatoes but should not be kept with apples, which require a more humid environment.

Potatoes

• Potatoes need a cool, dark, dry location with temperatures between 40-50°F. Store them in a well-ventilated container, such as a burlap sack or wooden crate, to prevent sprouting caused by excess moisture. A root cellar is ideal, but ensure low light levels to prevent greening. Potatoes should not be stored with onions, as both will spoil faster when stored together. If space is limited, separate them using a shelf or other barrier.

Onions

• Onions should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space, ideally between 32-40°F. Like potatoes, onions do well in a root cellar or basement. Hang them in mesh bags or place them in shallow containers to allow airflow. Keeping onions in the dark prevents sprouting. If storing multiple crops in the same space, keep onions separate from potatoes to avoid premature spoilage.

Carrots

• Carrots prefer cool, moist storage conditions, ideally at 32°F with high humidity. If you have a root cellar, store them in damp sand or soil to retain moisture and prevent wilting. Remove the green tops before storing to reduce moisture loss. If a root cellar isn’t available, carrots can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator, but sand or soil is the best option for long-term storage.

Using Sand for Storage

For root vegetables like carrots, beets, and parsnips, sand is an effective storage method. Layer damp (but not soggy) sand in a container, adding the vegetables and covering them with more sand. This helps maintain moisture while preventing excess dampness that could cause rot. Sand creates a stable environment that keeps the vegetables hydrated without becoming overly wet.

Storing Multiple Crops in One Space

If you’re storing vegetables with different needs, such as potatoes and carrots, in the same space (like a root cellar or basement), consider their temperature and humidity preferences. Since heat rises and warmer air holds more moisture, place moisture-sensitive crops (like onions and squash) higher up, where the air is drier. Store crops that need more humidity (like carrots and potatoes) lower, where the air tends to be cooler and more humid.

Using fans or small ventilation openings can help control airflow. A fan reduces humidity for crops needing drier conditions while maintaining airflow to prevent rot. Adjusting airflow can create microclimates within the same space that meet the needs of different crops.

By understanding the storage needs of your winter produce and using these strategies, you can extend the shelf life of your harvest. Whether in a root cellar or a cool, dark corner of your home, proper storage will keep your fruits and vegetables fresh, nutritious, and ready to enjoy throughout the winter season.

Submitted by Melissa Wass, N.E.W. Master Gardener and Open AI

Gram’s Sour Cream Apple Pie

Ingredients:

⅛ tsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon

3 TBSP flour

¾ c sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 c sour cream

4 c peeled, cored and sliced apples

1 recipe unbaked pie crust

Crumb topping

⅓ c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

⅓ c flour

¼ c butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients in med bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together beaten eggs and sour cream. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Stir in apples gently with spatula. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust.
2. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 min. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30 minutes.  
3. Mix together crumb topping ingredients using a food processor or pastry cutter until crumbly. Cover pie with crumb topping and bake for another 10 minutes.

Submitted by Kate Fix, N.E.W. Master Gardener

Give the Gift of a Lifetime:

Plant a Tree This Holiday Season

This holiday season, give a gift that can grow for generations—by planting a tree. Support the Community Orchards project and help New Leaf Foods continue planting food-bearing perennials at schools and public parks, creating a sustainable urban agricultural system in Brown County.

From now until December 15, we are raising funds through the SeedMoney campaign to expand this impactful initiative. To date, the project has planted 10 orchards across Brown County, providing fresh, free produce to students, families, and individuals in need. With your help, we can continue this important work, increasing access to nutritious food and strengthening our local food system.

To make it even more exciting, donations of $20 or more will be entered into a drawing for an Ooni Pizza Oven (worth $599), complete with a pizza cover and server! The winner will be announced at our Winter Social on December 15.

Your contribution not only helps plant new orchards but also boosts our chances of receiving additional funding through the SeedMoney campaign. Every donation makes a difference, so let’s come together and finish strong!

Click below to donate now and stay updated on our progress:

Donate to New Leaf Foods Community Orchards

Together, we can plant the seeds of change—one tree at a time.

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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