February: A Month of Heart and Growth
February is a month of love—love for our community, our gardens, and ourselves. As we look ahead to the Seed Library Launch on March 7, volunteers have been hard at work packing seed envelopes and preparing for another season of growing together.
This month we’re celebrating the many ways we can show love: to each other through connection, to nature through gardening and stewardship, and to ourselves by taking time to learn something new. With many educational opportunities coming up in February and March, we invite you to treat learning as an act of self-care—nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and growing alongside your garden.
You’ll also find heart-healthy recipes to inspire wellness from the inside out, because caring for ourselves helps us better care for our communities and the world around us.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Botany Basics
The Co-Evolution of Plants and Insects: Why it Matters for Gardens and Communities
In nature, plants and insects have developed intricate, interdependent relationships over millions of years. This process, called co-evolution, occurs when two species shape each other’s evolution. Many butterflies, moths, native bees, and bumblebees rely on specific larval host plants or flower species to feed, reproduce, and thrive. In turn, plants evolve traits such as specific flowering times, colors, or scents that attract these insects.
Co-evolution is crucial because it drives biodiversity and ecosystem health. Native bees and bumblebees, for example, co-evolved with local flowering plants, which makes them highly effective pollinators. Over time, these bees developed body sizes, tongue lengths, and foraging behaviors that perfectly match the flowers they visit, ensuring that pollen is efficiently transferred from flower to flower. Plants and pollinators also synchronize their timing: flowers bloom when their pollinators are active, and bees forage when nectar and pollen are available.
For gardeners and everyday people, supporting co-evolved species is both simple and impactful:
- Plant native species, including larval host plants for butterflies and flowering plants for native bees.
- Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which can harm pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Leave plants to flower and go to seed, providing food for pollinators and other wildlife.
- Create habitat diversity, such as leaving patches of wildflowers or bare soil for ground-nesting bees.
Climate change makes this work even more important. Shifting temperatures and seasons can disrupt flowering times and insect life cycles. By fostering pollinator-friendly gardens and protecting native plants, we help these co-evolved partnerships persist—ensuring that insects, plants, and humans all continue to thrive.
When we nurture these relationships, we’re not just helping wildlife—we’re building stronger gardens, more resilient ecosystems, and healthier communities.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Which Seeds in the BCSL are
Larval Host Plants?
Looking to support caterpillars and moths in your garden? These are the seeds we carry that serve as larval food for specific butterflies and moths.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Moths such as Radcliffe’s dagger moth; butterflies including American lady and common buckeye larvae
Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Raspberry pyrausta moth; other moth larvae (e.g., hermit sphinx)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine Duskywing butterfly larvae
Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Silvery checkerspot butterfly and other skipper larvae
Dill, Parsley, Carrot (Anethum graveolens, Petroselinum crispum, Daucus carota)
Black Swallowtail butterfly larvae
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Silvery checkerspot butterfly larvae; various moth larvae
Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)
Skipper butterflies and potentially other butterfly larvae
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa & Asclepias syriaca)
Monarch butterfly; milkweed-associated moths (milkweed tussock moth, dogbane tiger moth)
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum)
Hermit sphinx moth and other moth larvae; some skipper butterflies
Native Grasses (Sorghastrum nutans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Bouteloua curtipendula, Panicum virgatum)
Grass-feeding skipper and moth caterpillars
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae‑angliae)
Dozens of butterfly and moth larvae, including Wavy-Lined Emerald
Rudbeckia Mix (Rudbeckia spp.)
Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and other caterpillars that feed on Black‑eyed Susan relatives
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Painted Lady butterfly, Meadow Fritillary butterfly, and various pug moths (e.g., Yarrow Pug)
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| The Annual Bountiful Branches Sale opens today! | | |
Local Organization to Know
The Northeast Wisconsin Herb Society (established 1998) celebrates the many uses of herbs, from culinary and medicinal to foraging and beverages. Each month, members gather to explore a featured herb—learning how to grow it, its history, folklore, and practical applications. Past projects have included foraged nettle soup, fruit cordials, dyed fabrics, tinctures, syrups, salves, vinegars, and flavorful treats like rosemary shortbread and lavender brownies.
The Society is also active in the community. Members help plan, plant, and maintain the herb beds at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, sponsor herb-themed events and “high teas,” and teach about herbs across the state. Their monthly newsletter is full of tips and herbal knowledge, and their website will be launching soon. The group has been affiliated with the Herb Society of America since 2002.
If you’re interested in exploring the many uses of herbs, visitors are always welcome. Contact the Society at scentedgardens@msn.com for more information.
The Northeast Wisconsin Herb Society is also offering a free educational event in coordination with the Brown County Seed Library.
February 28, 1pm - 2:30pm (free)
Growing & Using Herbs Year-Round
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:
February 5, noon - 1pm (free)
Emerging Berry Crops Winter Webinar Series: Day Neutral Strawberries and Table Grapes
Virtual, UW Extension
February 5, 4pm - 5pm (free)
Winter Sowing Ground Cover Workshop
NWTC Greenhouse, 2600 Larsen Rd
February 5, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Vegetable Crops & Specialized Gardening Techniques
Virtual, UW Extension
February 7, 1:30pm -2:30pm (free)
“The Extraordinary Caterpillar” Viewing
Sponsored by Wild Ones-Green Bay
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
February 11, Noon - 1:15pm (free)
Fruit and vegetable production: Pumpkin Integrated Pest Management
Virtual, U of Minn
February 14, 9:30am - 3pm (free)
Seed Packing for the BCSL
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
February 16-20, 1pm - 2:30pm (free)
Gardening from the Ground Up Series
February 16: Inputs and Outputs: Building healthy garden soil
February 17: Beneath the Surface: Myth-busting soil microbes and beneficials
February 18: Decoding Garden Product Labels: What you need to know before you buy
February 19: The New Normal? Air quality, smoke and shifting growing conditions
February 20: Enjoying the Bounty: Harvest and storage of garden produce
Virtual, U of Minn
February 18, 10am - 11:30am ($)
Cottage Garden Design – How to Get Started
Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
February 18, Noon - 1:15pm (free)
Fruit and vegetable production: Tomato problems
Virtual, U of Minn
February 18, 6pm - 7pm (free)
From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu
Virtual, Wild Ones
February 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Ask Your Gardening Questions Live
Virtual, UW Extension
February 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Plants that Go the Distance
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
February 19, 2pm - 3pm (free)
Vegetable Production Winter Webinar Series: Vegetable Irrigation Planning
Virtual, UW Extension
February 19, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Composting
Virutal, UW Extension
February 21, 10am - 11am (free)
Q&A On Pest/Critter Control and Pruning
A Gardeners Club of Green Bay Meeting
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
February 21, 11am - 1pm (free)
Grassroots in the Garden: Pruning & Fencing
330 S Oakland Ave, Green Bay
February 24, 1pm - 3pm ($)
Winter Pruning
Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
February 25, Noon - 1:15pm (free)
Fruit and vegetable production: Integrated weed management
Virtual, U of Minn
February 25, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Flowering Houseplants
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
February 25, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Fun and Games at the PDDC!
Virtual, UW Extension
February 28, 1pm - 2:30pm (free)
Growing & Using Herbs Year-Round
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
March 5, noon - 1pm (free)
Emerging Berry Crops Winter Webinar Series: Elderberries and Currants
Virtual, UW Extension
March 5, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Vegetable Garden Weed Management
Virtual, UW Extension
March 5, 6:30pm -7:30pm (free)
Starting New Plants from Seeds, Cuttings and More
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
March 7, noon - 2:30pm (free)
Seed Library Launch Party 2026
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
March 11, 10am - 11:30am ($)
Cottage Garden Plants – Favorite Flowers and Combinations
Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
March 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Save Money & Boost Your Growing Success with Bare Root Plants
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
March 12, noon - 1pm (free)
Seasonal climate conversations: Spring in your yard and garden
Virtual, U of Minn
March 12, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Cover Crops for the Vegetable Garden
Virtual, UW Extension
March 18, noon - 1:15pm (free)
Fruit and vegetable production: Vegetable plant diseases
Virtual, U of Minn
March 18, 1:30pm - 2:30pm (free)
Ask Your Gardening Question: LIVE
Virtual, UW Extension
March 18, 6pm - 7pm (free)
Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology presented by Joey Santore
Virtual, Wild Ones
March 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
March 19, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Vegetable Crop Disease Management
Virtual, UW Extension
March 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Badger Talk: Gardening with Native Plants
Virtual, Wild Ones Fox Valley Area
March 25, noon - 1:15pm (free)
Fruit and vegetable production: Understanding your soil test report
Virtual, U of Minn
March 25, 6:30pm - 9pm (free)
Fundamentals of Plant Diseases
Virtual, UW Extension
March 26, 5:30pm - 7:30pm ($)
Green Thumb Gardening Winter 2026: Vegetable Garden Succession Planting, Companion Planting, & Season Extension
Virtual, UW Extension
March 26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Getting Started Growing Vegetable & Flower Gardens
Virtual, Melinda Meyers
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2026 Featured Local Seed: Native Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
This year, we’re excited to feature native Columbine as our 2026 Featured Local Seed. A petite wildflower native to Wisconsin, columbine was chosen for its beauty, adaptability, and important role in supporting pollinators and healthy ecosystems. All of the seed we are distributing has been harvested from Brown County gardens, ensuring it is locally adapted. Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, columbine’s delicate, fern-like foliage and airy flowers add texture and movement to the landscape. Though individual plants may be short-lived, reseeding ensures a lasting presence when conditions are right.
In the Green Bay area, Columbine typically blooms from late April through early June, making it one of the earliest abundant nectar sources available. This timing is especially important, as bumble bees and other native pollinators in Wisconsin begin foraging in April. Early flowers help feed emerging queens and support colony establishment.
Columbine’s tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds, and a wide range of native insects — including mason bees, sweat bees, butterflies, moths, and hoverflies — also visit columbine for early nectar and pollen. Columbine is also a host plant for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly (Erynnis lucilius). Seed-eating birds such as goldfinches can feed on the seeds later in the season, while insect-eating birds and predatory insects benefit from the increased insect activity. As an added bonus, deer and rabbits generally avoid columbine, making it a resilient choice for many gardens.
Native Columbine thrives in partial shade but adapts to full sun in cooler or well-watered sites. It prefers well-drained soil and is well suited to woodland gardens, native plantings, shady borders, and the upper edges of rain gardens, where soils drain quickly and do not remain saturated. Columbine is a short-lived perennial that maintains its presence through reseeding. Seeds require approximately 60 days of cold, moist stratification to germinate and should be sown outdoors in fall or early spring. Because columbine seeds need light to germinate, they should be surface-sown and gently pressed into the soil rather than covered.
By featuring Native Columbine this year, we aim to highlight the importance of early-season nectar sources in supporting pollinators and enhancing biodiversity. We invite everyone to plant columbine and help create healthier, more resilient green spaces for generations to come.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Spiced Carrot Fritters
By Woman's Day Kitchen
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 12 oz. carrots (about 3 large)
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 red chile, seeded for less heat and thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Using a food processor with the large grater attachment, coarsely grate the carrots. Add them to the bowl with the eggs and toss to coat. Fold in the panko, then 2 scallions, the chile, and cilantro.
In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and remaining scallion.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, then add 1 tablespoon oil. Drop 6 spoons of the carrot mixture into the skillet and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes per side; transfer to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining oil and carrot mixture, adding more oil to the skillet, if necessary.
Gently stir the feta into the lime-scallion mixture. Serve over the carrot fritters and serve with green salad, if desired.
Submitted by Eileen, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Bonus Recipe: Almond, Coconut and Date Bites
Ingredients:
2 cups Medjool dates, pitted
1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup unsalted roasted whole almonds
1/3 cup whole golden flax seeds
Kosher salt
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup almond butter (or your preferred nut butter)
1/3 cup cacao nibs
Directions
1. Place the dates in a medium bowl and cover with warm water (about 100 degrees F). Let sit for 2 minutes. Drain well and place in a food processor with the oats, almonds, flax seeds and 1 teaspoon salt. Process until the oats and almonds are minced, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup coconut flakes, the almond butter and cacao nibs and blend until fully incorporated, scraping the sides of the
food processor down as needed, 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Shape the mixture into 2 tablespoon-sized balls (a 1-ounce scoop works well here). Once all of the mixture has been shaped, place the remaining 1/4 cup of coconut flakes in a small bowl and roll each ball in the coconut flakes to fully coat. Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Recipe courtesy of Maya Ferrante for Food Network Kitchen
Submitted by Eileen, 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 and included in our newsletters.
*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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