We are thankful for you!
On November 8, we hosted a fantastic seed cleaning event! Volunteers and Seed Stewards came together to learn new techniques and explore creative ways to use our seed cleaning tools.
Take a look at some highlights from the day:
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With all the seeds now cleaned, our focus shifts to the next exciting step: packing them up for the upcoming season’s launch.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Botany Basics: Growth Habit and Habitat
Last month we explored leaf types and arrangement; this month we are looking at how and where a plant grows. Growth habit describes a plant’s overall form, structure, and how it occupies space. Habitat describes the environment where it lives. Recognizing both helps you narrow down plant ID possibilities even before examining leaves closely.
Growth Habit: Plant Size and Stem Structure
Tree
- Woody perennial with a single trunk
- Branches appear above the ground
- Tall, upright, and fully self-supporting
Shrub
- Woody perennial with multiple stems near the ground
- Shorter than trees but still self-supporting
Herbaceous
- Non-woody, soft-stemmed plants
- Annuals or perennials that die back each year
- Stand upright on their own
- Includes many garden flowers, vegetables, and wildflowers
Vine
- Twines, climbs, or sprawls across ground or structures
Groundcover
- Low-growing plants that spread horizontally
- Can be woody or herbaceous
- Form dense mats that protect soil and suppress weeds
Habitat Where the Plant Is Growing
Aquatic Habitat
- Soils saturated or submerged; conditions range from fully underwater to partially floating
Wetland Habitat
- Soils often waterlogged and low in oxygen; may include marshes, swamps, or boggy areas
Forest Habitat
- Partially to fully shaded
- Soils rich in organic matter, often well-structured
- Protected from strong winds and temperature extremes
Grassland, Pasture and Prairie Habitats
- Open, sunny areas with few or no trees
- Soils well-drained, ranging from dry to moderately moist
- Exposed to wind and full sun
Disturbed-Area Habitat
- Gardens, plowed fields, roadsides, and other altered sites
- Conditions change quickly due to human activity or erosion
Why Growth Habit and Habitat Matter
Understanding a plant’s growth habit—how it grows and supports itself—and its habitat—the environment where it lives—gives you a strong foundation for identifying plants confidently. Using these clues together, along with leaf type and arrangement, helps you narrow down possibilities quickly and sets you up for success as you explore and identify the plants around you.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Tend Your Tools, Tend Your Body:
Winter Tips for Easier Gardening
Our gardens are tucked in for winter, waiting for spring’s return. This is the perfect time to browse seed catalogs, read up on gardening, and dream of next season’s blooms. It’s also a great moment to prepare your body for the physical work ahead. Consider garden adjustments like raised beds to reduce strain, and explore tools that ease stress on joints and your back. In this article, I’ll share tips to help you—and your tool kit—be ready to dig in come spring.
Let’s start with tools. Cleaning your tools helps prevent spreading plant diseases and keeps them functioning so you don’t have to strain to use them. This UW Extension article discusses cleaning, sharpening and overall maintenance of your tools. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maintaining-lawn-and-garden-tools/
If sore joints, decreased strength, or limited flexibility make gardening tasks challenging, the off-season is an ideal time to prepare your body for starting to garden in the spring. Before beginning any new exercise routine, consult your health care provider. As a retired physical therapist, I can attest that strengthening and stretching—particularly the muscles of the legs, core, back, and upper body—can greatly reduce the risk of pain or injury when digging, lifting, or pulling in the garden. Those unfamiliar with exercise may benefit from guidance provided by a personal trainer or fitness instructor at your YMCA or other fitness center. Individuals with physical limitations or concerns are encouraged to seek the expertise of a physical therapist for personalized instruction and safe exercise modifications.
It is difficult to teach you exercises in an article so I searched YouTube to find some videos that will demonstrate effective exercises safely. Here are the ones I thought might be helpful to get you started:
Exercises for Gardening with Ease (55+)
Full body stretch routine for gardeners to prevent injury | 12 minute
Exercises for Gardeners | Quick Fit with Cassy Core Stabilization
Training for Gardening - Fit To Garden; Stacy Walters with Carl Edwards
As we age, we need to modify how we are performing some tasks. Planning your garden might need to include adding raised garden beds or acquiring some tools that will help with the chores. When shopping for the best ergonomic garden tools, look for the cushioned handles for added comfort and shock absorption; adjustable handles for customization; lightweight materials for easy maneuverability.
For ease, I looked at Amazon for a few tools that may help you avoid injury or pain as you return to the garden in the spring. Please use the list below as a guide and purchase your tools from any store that sells garden supplies.
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Fiskars Ergo Weeder Tool for Weeding Click Here. The angled head increases leverage for uprooting roots in tough soil and the ergonomic handle is better for your hand and wrist.
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The handle design on this tool and the others shown in the link decreases stress on the hand and wrist. Just as the Fiskars tool above it will improve leverage and the curved design fits nicely into the hand. Click here
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Your knees are worth saving. Using a garden pad is easy. You can purchase a kneeler/seat combo like this one: Click here
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This weeder is fantastic. I purchased one last spring. Weed pulling is fast, easy and no back pain from bending over. Click here
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A water wand eliminates overreaching, heavy lifting and bending over to water plants near the roots. Click here
With a little planning and preparation this winter, both you and your tools will be ready for a productive and enjoyable spring. Please let us know if you have a favorite tool or tip to decrease stress on your body. Taking time now to care for your body and equipment means more comfort, less strain, and a longer gardening season to look forward to.
| | Submitted by Jeanette, N.E.W. Master Gardener | | |
Book Review:
Wisconsin Cookbooks
Wisconsin Field to Fork: farm fresh recipes from the Dairy State
by Lori Fredrich
format: book and ebook
Wisconsin Field to Fork highlights growers and farms from around the state of Wisconsin. Each piece includes recipes using ingredients harvested from those growers. Additionally, the author shares important information which will naturally encourage readers to buy local, especially since she is giving us information about our options to do so. Featuring vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes, Wisconsin Field to Fork will inspire home gardeners with unique and delicious ways to use what is coming out of our own gardens!
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Bountiful Wisconsin: 110 Favorite Recipes
by Terese Allen
format: book
Born out of the Wisconsin Trails Magazine sponsored recipe contests, Bountiful Wisconsin is a collection of the entries to give attention to all the dishes, not just the prize winners. The first year’s theme was picnic foods which included good tailgate party dishes and the second year’s theme was agricultural heritage to celebrate the delicious foods that Wisconsin is known for - apples, cherries, and more! If you’re looking for inspiration for old and new favorites, this is your cookbook.
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Heritage Hill Cookbook: a collection of recipes used at Heritage Hill
Compiled by the Heritage Hill Guild
format: book
Heritage Hill Cookbook is a collection of recipes that as a compilation is a sort of time capsule for our area. These recipes were gathered by the Heritage Hill Guild, some of which were prepared at Tank Cottage, and possibly still, to be enjoyed by visitors. The garden at Tank Cottage is a project of NEW Master Gardeners, a replication of a 1700s kitchen garden. Rhubarb harvested from the Tank Cottage kitchen garden today would be a perfect ingredient when used to make Rhubarb Bread as guided by the recipe on page 30 of the cookbook. Be sure to try other historic recipes such as Plum Duff or Salmon Chowder!
Submitted by Jennifer, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:
December 2, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Tri-County Webinar Series: Growing Kiwiberries in MN
Virtual, U of Minn Extension
December 9, 5pm - 6pm (free)
“Turn That Patch Into a Plan" with Zoe & Heather Evans
Virtual, Wild Ones Presents
December 15, 1:30pm - 2:30pm (free)
Ask Your Gardening Question: LIVE
Virtual, UW Extension
December 16, 1pm - 2pm (free)
Tri-County Webinar Series: Climate Ready Integrated Pest Management
Virtual, U of Minn Extension
December 17, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Ten Cool Diseases You Can Learn to Love (and Identify by Eye)
Virtual, UW Extension
December 20, 8am - 11am (free)
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation Inc Native Seed Planting
Paul Hartman Prairie & Gazebo, 4677 Co Rd JJ, Green Bay
January 3, 9:30am - 3pm (free)
Seed Packing for the BCSL
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
January 10, 1pm - 3pm (free)
Winter Seed Sowing Workshop: Jumpstart your Spring Garden
Weyers-Hilliard Library, 2680 Riverview Drive
January 16, 1pm - 2-pm (free)
2026 Cold Climate Fruit Webinar Series - Part 1: Marssonina Leaf Blotch
Virtual, UW Extension
January 31, 9:30am - 3pm (free)
Seed Packing for the BCSL
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
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New for 2026: Russian Tarragon!
Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides) is a brand-new addition to the Brown County Seed Library and will be available for the first time at our launch party on March 7. With its mild anise-pepper flavor and hint of licorice, this hardy herb is a classic for chicken, salads, light soups, herb vinegars, and homemade dressings. Russian tarragon grows reliably from seed in Wisconsin and returns each year as a bright, flowering perennial.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Sow Russian tarragon seeds indoors in mid-April. Press the tiny seeds into moist potting mix and do not cover, as they need light to germinate. Germination typically takes 1–2 weeks. Keep the soil consistently moist—either by bottom watering (placing the pots in a shallow tray of water) or gently misting the soil surface. When seedlings have a few true leaves, begin hardening them off and transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
Planting in the Garden
Russian tarragon grows as an upright, bushy perennial with woody stems, reaching 2-4 feet tall and 18–24 inches wide. It prefers full sun to partial shade and light, dry, sandy, well-drained soil. Once established, tarragon is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Pinch back young growth to encourage bushiness and delay flowering; if plants bloom, cut back by about two-thirds to maintain shape and prolong leaf harvest. Russian tarragon is hardy in Zones 4–8, so it should survive Wisconsin winters. Winter wetness is more harmful than cold, so avoid heavy mulching and leave some top growth to protect the crown. New shoots will emerge in spring.
Flowering & Seed Production
Russian tarragon may flower in its first year if not pinched back. It produces pale-yellow flowers that will set viable seeds. While you can harvest leaves during flowering, the flavor becomes milder and slightly bitter as the plant redirects energy toward seed production. For the best balance, allow a few stems to flower for seed saving while keeping the rest pinched back for flavorful summer harvests.
Harvest and Use
Begin harvesting once plants are well established. Russian tarragon is best enjoyed fresh, though dried leaves can still lend a mild flavor to dishes. Add it to dressings, sauces, vegetables, seafood, or infused oils. Beyond cooking, fresh or dried tarragon leaves can be used in herbal remedies, soaps, or decorative arrangements.
Gardening Benefits
In addition to its culinary uses, Russian tarragon attracts pollinators, deters pests, and serves as a hardy companion plant. We can’t wait for you to add Russian tarragon to your garden next year and enjoy its bright leaves, delicate flowers, and signature flavor!
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
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Tarragon and Cherry Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
2 large eggs, room temperature, divided use
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
2-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1-1/4 teaspoons dried tarragon
2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/3 cup chopped pistachios
Directions
1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. In a large bowl, combine 1 egg, butter, sugar, chives, zest, salt, tarragon, yeast mixture and 1-1/2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Knead in cherries and pistachios. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape dough into 12 balls. Roll each into a 10-in. rope. Fold in half; twist together. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Repeat with remaining ropes. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until
almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg; brush over rolls. Bake until golden brown, 11-13 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.
Submitted by Eileen, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| | New Leaf Foods, a founding partner of the Brown County Seed Library, is raising funds to plant community orchards and teach families how to care for fruit- and nut-bearing trees. Every gift helps local gardens—and local people—thrive! Click here to learn more and to donate. | |
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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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Disclaimer:
Although brand names of products are mentioned in this newsletter, NEWMG and BCL do not endorse any particular brands. These mentions reflect individual experiences and should not be interpreted as endorsements or recommendations.
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