Happy New Year from the BCSL, Subscriber!

January 2025 Newsletter

Happy New Year from the BCSL!

As we welcome 2025, we invite you to join us in embracing fresh opportunities for growth—in our gardens, in our community, and in ourselves. The new year is a wonderful time to reflect and let go of practices that no longer serve us, our environment, or our gardens. Whether it’s making the switch to more sustainable gardening methods, prioritizing native plants, or simply trying something new, this season is all about renewal and progress.

One way to start the year strong is by exploring the exciting world of winter sowing. Winter sowing is a simple, effective method to grow native plants and other garden staples by mimicking nature’s process of seed germination. This practice not only supports local ecosystems by nurturing plants that thrive in our region, but it also makes gardening more accessible and enjoyable during the colder months. To help you get started, we encourage you to attend our Winter Sowing Workshop, taking place January 18 at the Kress Library in DePere. It’s a perfect chance to gain new skills, connect with fellow gardeners, and prepare for a flourishing garden in the months ahead. Or read below to learn how to winter sow at home, using recycled materials!

Let’s make this year a celebration of growth and sustainability, together. Stay tuned for more updates and events to help you nurture your garden and our community.

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

The beauty of a winter garden!

Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is a method that allows you to sow seeds outdoors in winter using mini greenhouses. This is ideal for seeds needing cold stratification.

Materials Needed

Clear plastic containers (milk jugs, water bottles)
Utility knife or scissors
Potting soil
Seeds
Tape
Permanent marker

Instructions

Prepare Containers: Cut containers in half, leaving a hinge. Poke drainage holes in the bottom and fill with soil.
Plant Seeds: Sow seeds according to packet instructions. Cover with soil, but leave light-sensitive seeds uncovered.
Label Containers: Mark the outside with the plant name and date. Add an internal label for reference.
Create Mini Greenhouse: Secure the top half with tape. Ventilation holes should be added for air circulation.
Place Outside: Position containers where they can receive rain or snow, protected from strong winds.
Monitor Progress: Check moisture and ventilation regularly. As spring warms, seedlings will grow. Remove the tops to help them acclimate before transplanting.

Enjoy your winter sowing and watch your garden thrive!

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

Open AI

Soil Components and Building Soil

Understanding soil and its components is crucial for gardeners. Soil science continues to reveal new insights, helping us understand the complex relationships between its living and non-living elements. Soil is composed of living and dead organic matter, inorganic matter (dirt), water, and pore space occupied by air. Ideally, soil consists of 45% dirt, 25% air, 25% water, and 5% organic matter. As gardeners, our actions significantly impact both the organic matter and pore space in soil. Striking the right balance among these components is the foundation of successful gardening.

The mineral component of soil, or inorganic matter, is known as dirt. Dirt forms from the weathering of rocks over time, breaking larger minerals into smaller particles. Soil texture is often categorized by the size of these particles: sand (coarse), silt (gritty), and clay (fine). However, soil texture is more than just particle size. It also depends on the pore spaces between particles, which allow air and water to move through the soil. These spaces are essential for healthy root growth and nutrient absorption. Additionally, as organic matter, water, and dirt bind together in the soil, they form aggregates. A good balance between aggregates and pore spaces plays a vital role in creating a stable soil structure, improving water infiltration, aeration, and root development.

To preserve pore space, gardeners can adopt several practices. Avoid stepping on garden beds by using designated walking paths. Apply a thick layer of mulch to reduce compaction and buffer the soil below. Plant cover crops to maintain photosynthesis and nourish the living organisms in the soil. When harvesting, leave plant roots in the ground whenever possible to further enhance soil structure. These practices protect existing pore space and support long-term soil health.

Adding organic matter back into the soil is equally important. Much of the organic matter that soil supports is removed as crops, so replenishment is necessary. I achieve this through basic composting techniques. Each year, I relocate a homemade wire fence composter to a nutrient-depleted area, filling it with kitchen vegetable scraps. As the organic matter breaks down, it enriches the soil. Over time, this method has significantly improved my soil’s fertility. Adding a layer of compost across all garden beds helps sandy soils retain moisture and nutrients while making clay soils lighter and better drained. It also provides trace nutrients essential for plant growth. For best results, I incorporate a two- to three-inch layer of compost into the soil with a shovel at least a month before planting.

Finally, gardeners can evaluate their soil’s fertility by testing nutrient levels and pH through resources offered by the University of Wisconsin (https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/soil-testing/). Soil testing helps identify deficiencies or excesses and provides specific recommendations for improvement. With consistent care and attention, your soil can become a thriving ecosystem that fosters healthy plant growth and abundant harvests.

*More in depth information available in this you tube video from UW Extension on understanding your garden soil.

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

Open AI

Planning Your Garden:

Making the Most of Your Seeds

Winter is here, making it a great time to plan your garden. Whether you're experienced or a beginner, using your existing seeds can be rewarding. Here are some tips to maximize your seed collection.

Assess Your Seed Inventory

Gather Seeds: Collect all your seed packets and loose seeds.

Sort by Type and Date: Organize seeds by plant type and packaging date for effective planning.

Check Viability: Test seeds by placing some on a damp paper towel, sealing them in a bag, and checking for germination.

Garden Planning Tips

LOCATION

Choose a spot with 6-8 hours of daily sunlight.

Test and amend your soil for optimal growth.

LAYOUT DESIGN

Research which plants grow well together, called companion planting, like tomatoes and basil.

Rotate crops from previous years to maintain soil health.

TIMING

Use a planting calendar based on your climate.

Stagger plantings for a continuous harvest using a succession planting guide.

Using your existing seeds for gardening can be fulfilling and economical. By evaluating your seed stock and planning thoughtfully, you can create a thriving garden. Happy gardening!

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

Open AI

Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:

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

Seed Packing Event

Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St

January 9, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Planning the Vegetable Garden

Virtual, UW Extension

January 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Soils and Fertilizers

Virtual, UW Extension

January 18, 1pm - 3pm (free)

Winter Seed Sowing Workshop: Jumpstart your Spring Garden

333 N. Broadway, De Pere

January 21, 6:30pm - 8pm (free)

Japanese Beetles IPM

Virtual, U of Minn Extension

January 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)

Top Ten Plant Diseases of 2024

Virtual, UW Extension

January 23, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Seed Starting

Virtual, UW Extension

January 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

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

Climate-resilient pollinator habitats across

Minnesota landscapes webinar series:

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

Virtual, Northern Gardener

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

Design, build and grow: Get growing with raised beds

Virtual, Northern Gardener

January 30, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Vegetable Garden Crops and Special Techniques

Virtual, UW Extension

February 1, 9:30am - 12pm & 12:30pm - 3pm (free)

Seed Packing Event

STEM Center, 2019 Technology Way, Green Bay

February 10, 6pm - 7pm (free)

The Buzz on Bees

Brown Co Library, Weyers-Hilliard Branch, 2680 Riverview Dr

February 11, 10am - noon (free)

Rob Zimmer: What's New in Gardening for 2025

Brown Co Library, Wrightstown Branch, 615 Main St, Wrightstown

February 11, noon - 1pm (free)

Raised Bed Gardening Demystified

Virtual, U of Minn Extensiton

February 13, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Composting

Virtual, UW Extension

February 15, 9am - 11am (free)

Seed Starting

Virtual, Northern Gardener

February 15, 9:30am - 12pm & 12:30pm - 3pm (free)

Seed Packing Event

Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd

February 17-21 1pm - 2:30pm (free)

Gardening from the Ground Up Series:

Monday, February 17: Embracing climate change:

how to prepare for weather whiplash

Tuesday, February 18: Non-traditional Lawns

Wednesday, February 19: Replacement Trees

Thursday, February 20: Planning and maintaining successful food forests

Friday, February 21: Adapting with Integrated Pest Management

February 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Vegetable Disease Management

Virtual, UW Extension

February 22, 10am - noon (free)

Gardeners Club of Green Bay meeting: Donna Zelner presents; Proper bird food and habitat for winter and attracting more wildlife to your garden

2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay

February 26, 6:30pm - 9pm (free)

Fundamentals of Plant Diseases

Virtual, UW Extension

February 27, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Green Thumb Winter 2025: Vegetable Insect Management

Virtual, UW Extension

Book Reviews: Preserving your harvest

While the harvest season is behind us, it is not too late to think about ways that we can enjoy our harvest well into the season of hibernation in our region. We would like to share with you some titles from the Brown County Library collection to inspire you and guide you through the process of preserving the treasures from your garden.

The preserving answer book

by Sherri Brooks Vinton; format: book

Best selling author Sherri Brooks Vinton acknowledges that food preservation can be intimidating. From pressure and water bath canning to fermentation, this answer book also includes options for easy methods like quick pickles. Vinton aims to answer the most frequently asked questions so her readers can fill their pantries over and over again.

Food in Jars:

Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round

by Marisa McClellan; format: book, ebook

Marisa presents options and recipes for preserving the harvest from every part of the growing season. Produce from the early days such as rhubarb and asparagus in spring. And berries, stone fruits, and tomatoes in the summer. Have you experienced the delight of pickled cauliflower as fall approaches? McClellan takes from the expertise of others to pass along for her readers’ to add to their repertoire.

Recipes from and for the garden

by Judy Barret; format book

Judy Barrett put together a cook book of recipes so that gardeners have options for even uncommon ingredients to fully enjoy their garden harvests. Each featured ingredient is the star of several recipes giving gardeners’ choices in their kitchen; eat it fresh, freeze it, or can it. She goes on to share ideas for home remedies as well as incorporating our gardens’ bounty into home decor!

Submitted by Jennifer, N.E.W. Master Gardener and Brown Co Library Associate

Easy Cheesy Potato Soup

Ingredients:

2 pounds diced potatoes

2 c. of milk

3 c. of water

8 ounce package of cream cheese

1 c. of grated Parmesan cheese

1 c. of grated Romano Cheese

4 ounces of real bacon bits

1 bunch of green onions

Directions:

In a soup kettle add the milk, water and potatoes, bring to a simmer. Dice the onions and add to the kettle. Add the bacon.
Once the potatoes are tender, cube the cream cheese and add to soup. Once the cream cheese is partially melted add the grated Romano and Parmesan. Stir to blend.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Can add more milk if too thick.

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

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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