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Willits Seed Library News
Welcome to the Willits Library Seed Library newsletter!
Summer is in full swing, and gardens everywhere are bursting with tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and more. As we enjoy the bounty of the season, it's also the perfect time to start planning for your fall garden. Whether you're thinking of leafy greens, root veggies, or cover crops, we’ve got you covered! Don’t forget—our Seed Library is stocked and ready for your fall planting needs. And if you’re looking for inspiration or have questions, be sure to check out our collection of gardening books. They’re full of tips, ideas, and answers to help your garden thrive from summer into fall. Happy planting! |
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Stay Up-to-date on Seed Library events happening around the county! |
What can I plant in mid-summer? This question plagues many local amateur gardeners. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map places Willits in the 9a zone, meaning that the plants that will do best in this area (on average) will tolerate temperatures down to 20º F . Of course, this is a general guideline which does not take into account the occasional temperature extremes that occur in Willits.  Planting guides for this area generally agree on several plants that can be planted in late July through August for harvest in the Fall and Early Winter. These include:broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage, beans, beets, cantaloupe, cauliflower, chard, corn, cucumbers, carrots, kale, collards, and turnips. Gourds, squash, and pumpkins can be started. Fast-growing herbs like dill, basil, and flowers, such as cosmos and coreopsis can also be planted during this time. The Willits Branch Seed Library is preparing fall and winter seeds for the community. You can find the most recent seed inventory list here >> |
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Looking to join a local gardening organization? Do you have fruit trees that produce more than you need? The Willits Grateful Gleaners have a solution! It’s not too early in the growing season to look around your neighborhood and see if there are any fruit trees that are unlikely to be harvested by property owners. That’s where the Willits Grateful Gleaners come in. We are an all-volunteer organization that has been harvesting produce continuously for 21 years. We harvest a range of produce, but mostly plums, pears and apples that would normally go to waste. We provide the organizational connection between those who have too much fruit and those who don’t have access to fruit and can’t afford to purchase it. Boxes of fruit are delivered to the Food Bank and the Senior Center, to schools and after-school programs and to Nuestra Alianza, to name a few of the groups benefiting. The Grateful Gleaner group requests growers from the area who are willing to have their trees (or gardens) harvested to contact us. At that point a team leader will determine fruit ripeness and will set up a harvest date, drawing on a roster of willing volunteers.  If you would like to either offer your trees (or garden) for harvest or become a volunteer to glean fruit, please call the Grateful Gleaner voice mail at (707) 367-7391, and be welcomed into our efforts at local food sustainability. ~ Karen Gridley, for the Willits Grateful Gleaners |
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What's Blooming?
Late spring/summer in the Pollinator Garden displays a variety of color!
The Pacific Coast Iris produced very showy flowers in late spring, but is mostly done flowering for the year. This Hydrangea  suffered last summer's extreme heat, but seems recovered since staff relocated it to a shadier spot. There are two types of butterfly milkweed growing in the Pollinator Garden- narrow leaf and this brilliant orange variety. |
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Seedswap: The Gardener's Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds
by Josie Jeffery
Presents a guide to seed saving and creating a seed bank, providing information on why seed banks are important, which seeds to swap and save, and how to get involved with the worldwide horticultural campaign to save seeds
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