May 2024 Newsletter

Gratitude for BCSL Support

At our April seed packing event, volunteers were able to pack 2,400 additional envelopes for the library. That brings our total # of envelopes packed for this season to 16,595! The library staff and volunteers will do their best to keep the Seed Library stocked, especially this month as we approach our estimated last frost day and you can get most things in the ground. As we move into summer there will be additional seed packing events available for sign up. 

The 2024 WPS Volunteer Awards were held on April 25, and it was wonderful to see the number of people gathered to celebrate the volunteers supporting local non-profits and allowing them to fulfill their missions. Many tears of happiness were shed as stories were shared about the varied and vast impact people are having on our community. I am happy to announce that as a representative of the Brown County Seed Library, I received the Volunteer Leadership Award! I am greatly honored by this, and want to thank everyone who has volunteered or participated in activities with our Seed Library. Together we can continue to increase healthy and local food availability here in Brown County. This award also brings with it a financial grant which will go to New Leaf Foods and help support the Seed Library. 

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

Time for S.O.U.P.

The BCSL has been selected as one of the 5 finalists to be shared at the Green Bay SOUP (Support Of Urban Projects) event on Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 pm at The Bar on Holmgren Way (2001 Holmgren Way). The SOUP event is open to the public and we would love to have your support! Registration is $10/person and includes a dinner of soup and fresh bread, locally made. During the dinner, guests can hear about all 5 community programs and vote for their favorite. A micro-grant is awarded to the winner from funds collected at the forum. The event is coordinated by Current Young Professionals, a program of the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce.  Click here to learn more about the 2024 Green Bay SOUP Event.

Grex seeds

It should come as no surprise that within the world of horticulture there are a lot of different ways to categorize plants. We have discussed before the meaning of open pollinated seeds and the need to prevent cross pollination from other varieties in order to preserve varietal purity.  This allows for predictable results from the seeds, season after season.  Within this category is heirloom, which denotes an open pollinated variety that is 50 or more years old.  There is also open pollinated/possibly crossed, where no precautions are taken against cross pollinating.  This means your cucumber vine might have fruit that crossed with your next door neighbor and someone else 3 houses down.  You have no way of knowing what traits the next generation will produce.

There are also hybrid seeds, which is an intentional cross between a parent of variety A and a parent of variety B (same species), to produce specific characteristics.  These characteristics predictably show up in the first generation of the cross, but after that results vary.  This is why at the BCSL we prefer to save only open pollinated varieties that are grown true to type.  If they are continuously grown true to type, you will know the variety specifics you will see and can plan on it.

However, there are other options for categorizing seeds which you may see when seed shopping.  Today I want to briefly touch on one called grex.  This term is derived from the Latin noun grex, meaning flock, and was originally used solely to discuss orchid hybrids.  However, in recent years it is being utilized with other plant species.  In a horticultural sense, it refers to the interbreeding of a population of plants of the same species but multiple different varieties.  The goal of grex seeds is to increase the genetic diversity and resilience within your seed population by selecting seed for only a few traits (such as cold hardiness, or late bolting) but allowing other traits (such as color, texture, height) to remain varied within the mix.  In doing this you sacrifice the true-to-type results but still get a predictable range.  For example, if you plant a perennial kale grex, you may have some kale that is purple, some that is dark green, some that is curly and some that is flat, but all the seeds in the mix produce perennial kale.  In the world of climate change, where seasons can fluctuate severely year after year, having such a mix in genetics improves the chances that the grower will be able to harvest kale, even if all its traits aren't predictable.  

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

Garden Tip

Patience is a virtue, especially true in the art and science of gardening. The process of growing a garden requires a gardener to embrace patience at every step to ensure the health and success of their plants. Plants, much like people, need the right conditions to thrive. Planting too early in the season can expose young, vulnerable plants to harsh conditions, such as frost, that can hinder their growth or even lead to their demise. Waiting for the optimal time to plant, when the soil has adequately warmed up and the threat of frost has passed, is crucial. This patience ensures that plants have a solid foundation for growth, setting the stage for a more bountiful garden.

Acclimating plants to change gradually is another aspect of gardening that demands patience. Plants often start their lives in the controlled environment of a greenhouse or indoors, where conditions are designed to be ideal for growth. Moving plants directly from this environment into the garden can shock them, leading to stress that can stunt growth or, in extreme cases, cause the plants to die. The process of hardening off, gradually introducing plants to the outdoor conditions they will face in the garden, requires patience. Over a week or more, plants are exposed to the outside world for increasing lengths of time, allowing them to adjust to the sunlight, wind, and temperature changes they will experience. This slow transition is vital for building resilience in plants, enabling them to thrive once fully transplanted into the garden.

Furthermore, the importance of waiting until temperatures are warm enough before planting cannot be overstated. Each plant species has specific temperature requirements for germination and growth. Planting seeds or transplants into soil that is too cold can result in poor germination, slow growth, or the development of diseases. Additionally, some plants are particularly sensitive to cold and can be damaged or killed by unexpected cold snaps. By exercising patience and waiting for consistent warm temperatures, gardeners can ensure that their plants have the best possible start in life, leading to healthier plants and more productive gardens.

The practice of gardening is a lesson in patience. This patience is rewarded with the joy of watching a garden flourish. Gardening teaches us that good things truly do come to those who wait.

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

with assistance from Canva AI

Seed Steward News

Reminder: While we accept all donations, this year we are asking our seed stewards to focus on these 5 seeds for saving.  They will also be growing in the Children's Edible Garden at the Central Library.



• Scarlet Runner Bean
• Riesentraube Cherry Tomato
• Pimento Sweet Pepper
• Muncher Cucumber
• Sugar Ann Pea 

There will be opportunities on Tuesday nights to join Master Gardeners in the Children’s Edible Garden 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!

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

One Seed, One Community

It’s time to join us in the One Seed One Community program.  This year we are planting Sugar Ann snap peas to harvest seeds for the Brown County Seed Library.  Sugar Ann snap peas were selected for their great taste, fast turnaround from seeding to seed, which will allow succession planting (two crops), grows well in a garden or a container, and the small size plants do not require a trellis.  

Get your free seeds at the Brown County Seed Library located on the second floor of the Central Brown County Library.  The frost is out of the ground, so they can be sown now in a place that receives 6-8 hours of sun, as they are cold hardy plants.  It is tempting to eat fresh snap peas, but the more pods you leave on the vine to fully ripen and turn brown, the more seeds you will be able to harvest and donate to the seed library.

Submitted by Peggy, NEW Master Gardener

Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:

May 1, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)

Garden Watch Party: Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables

Watch Party at Central Library

May 1, 6:30pm - 7:45pm ($)

Spring into Summer: March – August Garden To-Do: Ready, Set, Grow! [Pre-recorded Webinar] MN State Horticultural Society

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

SOUP Event

The Bar, 2100 Holmgren Way

May 10

Last estimated frost!

May 15, noon - 1pm (free)

The Buzz About Wisconsin’s Periodical Cicadas

Virtual, UW Extension

May 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)

Professor Doug Tallamy Presents HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK

Virtual, Wild Ones Prairie Edge and The City of Minnetonka

May 15, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm ($)

Building Soil Health: Ready, Set, Grow! 

[Pre-recorded Webinar] MN State Horticultural Society

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

May 29, 6pm - 7pm (free)

Container Gardening presented by Lynn Clark, NEW Master Gardener

for the Gardeners Club of Green Bay

2600 Larsen Rd

May 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Veggie Garden Pest Management: Ready, Set, Grow!

 [Pre-recorded Webinar] MN State Horticultural Society

June 5, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)

Garden Watch Party, Under-Appreciated Pollinators

Watch Party at Central Library

June 8, 10:30am - 11:15am (free)

Seed Steward Training in the Children's Edible Garden

515 Pine St

June 12, 6:30pm - 7:30pm ($)

Growing Vertically: Ready, Set, Grow! 

[Pre-recorded Webinar]

June 17, 1pm - 2pm (free)

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

Virtual, UW Extension

June 17-23

National Pollinator Week!

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

The Pollination of Native Plants

Virtual, UW Extension

June 19, 12pm - 1pm (free)

Balancing Act in the Home Garden: 

Protecting Pollinators while Managing Pests

Virtual, UW Extension

June 26, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm ($)

Backyard Composting: Ready, Set, Grow! 

[Pre-recorded Webinar] UM Horticultural Society

June 26, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)

Plant Diseases in History

Virtual, UW Extension

Plant Profile:

Black Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), is a beautiful and hearty native flower with golden-yellow petals and a striking dark center that supports abundant wildlife. Indigenous to a broad swath of North America, spanning from the eastern United States to the Midwest and down into parts of Mexico, the Black Eyed Susan’s adaptable nature allows it to thrive in a variety of habitats, so long as they are well drained. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, although it may produce fewer flowers in shadier conditions. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for areas with limited water availability.

Propagation is primarily achieved through seeds, which can be sown directly onto the ground in late fall or early spring. Seeds need light to germinate and germinate most reliably after at least 30 days of cold stratification. Alternatively, young plants can be divided in the spring or fall to create new colonies.  

With minimal care and attention, the Black-Eyed Susan will reward gardeners with a profusion of blooms from midsummer through fall, and provide a valuable food source for insects and birds. Bees, including native species such as bumblebees and solitary bees, and 17 species of butterfly/moth caterpillars use Black Eyed Susan as a host plant. It is a wonderful addition to your landscape both for its looks and the ecological functions it serves.

Source:

Beyond the Birdfeeder: Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard with Native Wisconsin Plants by Mariette Nowak

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

OpenAI. (2023)

Featured Recipe

Rhubarb Streusel Muffins

AUTHOR: LORD BYRON'S KITCHEN

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE MUFFIN BASE:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

1/3 cup milk

1 cup fresh rhubarb, finely diced

FOR THE MUFFIN STREUSEL TOPPING:

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cold, cubed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

FOR THE MUFFIN GLAZE:

1 cup confectioner's sugar

2 tablespoons milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, oil and milk.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir to combine.
5. Add the rhubarb and fold into the muffin batter.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the twelve muffin liners. Set aside.
7. Next, use a fork to smash together the first four ingredients of the streusel topping. It should look lumpy and coarse. Toss in the chopped walnuts and evenly top the muffins with the mixture.
8. Top the streusel with finely diced rhubarb if you so desire.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
10. Allow the baked muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin. Remove and transfer to a wire baking rack to cool completely.
11. When cooled, whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle the desired amount over top each muffin. Serve.

Store in air-tight container or in a domed cake stand for up to 3 days.

Submitted by Stacie Rosera, N.E.W. Master Gardener

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.

Bountiful Branches by New Leaf Foods- sale open now till sold out

Pickup is May 10 At garage behind the NWTC Sustainable Agriculture Center

Bountiful Branches — New Leaf Foods

Wild Ones Plant Sale at Stone Silo Prairie (2325 Oak Ridge Cir)

June 1, 9am -2pm 

Pick up pre-ordered pollinator kits and/or purchase extra plants

Upcoming Events - Wild Ones Green Bay Chapter

UWGB heirloom plant sale at UWGB Laboratory Sciences Greenhouse  

(2350 Laboratory Sciences Dr)

May 10, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm

May 11, 9am-2pm 

Heirloom Plant Sale - UW-Green Bay

NEWMaster Gardeners plant sale at STEM center (2019 Technology Way)

May 9th, 9am - 5pm

May 10th 9am - 5pm

May 11th 9am - 2pm

Master Gardeners

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

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