February 2023 LTPL Grows Newsletter
For gardeners, February in Michigan is all about the seeds! We are thinking about seeds, gathering seeds, and starting seeds that need a long growing period before planting outdoors, like Alliums (the onion family) and Mediterranean herbs. Perennial herbs and flowers that require stratification (a cold period) before they will germinate are also at the top of the seed-starting to-do list for early February.
Click Here for a seed-starting timetable for our area
Click Here for an in-depth tutorial about starting perennial herbs, flowers, and vegetables from seed. 
Register for our Seed Starting Workshop February 20!
 
February is also the month when Michigan's largest seed swap takes place at the beautiful Chippewa Nature Center in Midland Michigan! The Central Michigan Seed Swap on February 25 is a fun day of immersion in the world of seeds! Open from 11am to 4 pm, there will be presentations all day, a buy/sell/trade event and a free seed table! Vendors are from our region, selling and trading for Michigan adapted varieties and offering advice. Entrance is free, but bring cash for seed purchases and food vendors.   
 
LTPL Grows Presents...
Seed Starting Workshop
In person Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:30pm
 
Learn to start your own vegetable, flower, and
perennial seeds at home. Whether you are a
beginner or an expert, this workshop is full of
valuable information about producing your own
seedlings and being a more self-sufficient
gardener. 
Free seeds and door prizes for attendees!


 
Grow Your Best Veggie Garden
In-Person Monday, March 6 at 6:30pm
 
Gardening has become even more important as the prices of food has risen and availability can be limited. Join us as we learn tips and strategies for growing a bountiful vegetable garden as Karen Golden, owner of Michigan Heirlooms in Highland, shares her decades of experience and garden wisdom with us.
Karren Golden is an experienced gardener, seed saver, and lecturer and makes her living selling organic heirloom vegetable plants. Order tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetable plants for pick-up in spring at michiganheirlooms.com
 
Seed Saving 101
In Person Monday, March 20, 2023 at 6:30pm
 
Learn the basics of the traditional skill of seed saving through a blend of hands-on demonstration and lecture. Find out how to incorporate seed saving into your own garden by learning what to plant and when and how to harvest. This in-person event will take place in the community center at LTPL.
Bevin Cohen is a Michigan author, seed saver, herbalist, and owner of Small House Farm near Midland. He is a frequent speaker at events all over the country, and is a contributor to Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm and other publications. Bevin has written several books on seed saving &  herbalism with more on the way. His newest endeavor is his "Seeds and Weeds" podcast.
 
Herb of the Month: Thyme
The February Herb of the Month is Thyme! Each month, we feature a different herb or spice and provide a take-home kit that contains information about the herb, a sample and/or seed packet, instructions for use and recipes. This month you will receive a kit with the growing instructions and properties of Thyme, recipes, and a sample bag of organic dried thyme suitable for tea or cooking. Seeds are available and optional - request on the registration form. Please note that thyme seeds need to be planted now for them to be big enough for planting out in May. Kits will be made available in the curbside pick-up area beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2023. To receive your kit, sign up here:  
 
The Herb of the Month will be announced every month in the LTPL Grows newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here. 
 
Seed Library News
It's February! Time to start members of the Allium (onion) family! Onions and leeks need a big head start in order to perform well in our Michigan gardens. Scallions, or green onions, can be ahead or directly sown into your garden in spring.  The seed library has a supply of onion and leek seeds ready to plant now, as well as herb and perennial seeds that need to be planted early.
Do you have seeds to donate? Please make sure the seeds are clean and free from debris, pods, stalks, etc. Seeds can be dropped off in the white basket on top of the seed library. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. The seeds are available at no cost to you. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. First time users of the Seed Library need to register. You may do so with this form or in-person at the seed library. Once you have registered, you log your initials and number of packets taken on the clipboard. The clipboard and instructions are on top of the Seed Library cabinet.  
Gardening handouts are available at the Seed Library and also on the LTPL Grows Webpage, along with informative videos!
February Garden Calendar
In February:
  • Start seeds indoors for alliums, perennials, and herbs that need a long season or cold-treatment before transplanting outdoors
  • Inventory your seed supply and make lists of what you need and what you want to try
  • Visit the LTPL Seed library and check for seeds you might need. New seeds will be added weekly through February and beyond!
  • Inspect your houseplants and plants overwintering indoors for pests that thrive indoors during the winter. Look for tiny webs, tiny insects on the undersides of leaves or flying near the plants, black soot on leaves and stems, and cottony tufts in the leaf axils.  
  • Check your birdfeeders often to clean and restock. LTPL offers several books on feeding birds and identifying your feathered visitors. 
  • Information and online resources for starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL website. Find additional resources for seed saving here:
January Feature: New Gardening Books at LTPL
Wild Plant Culture: A Guide to Restoring Edible and Medicinal Native Plant Communities by Jared Rosenbaum
A guide to the ecological restoration of native medicinal and edible plant communities in the eastern US through foraging, rewilding, herbalism, and permaculture.
Wildcrafted Vinegars: Making and Using Acetic Acid Ferments for Quick Pickles, Hot Sauces, Soups, Salad Dressings, Pastes, Mustards, and More by Pascal Baudar 
Change the way you cook by learning how to create flavorful vinegars using local and foraged plants.
Plants Go to War: A Botanical History of World War II by Judith Sumner 
From Victory Gardens to medicine to manufacturing, plants played a pivotal role in WWII, both at home and abroad. This is the companion piece to the lecture Ms. Sumner presented at LTPL.
Four Seasons Garden Club News
Upcoming Events
February 7 meeting: 7 pm at the South Lyon High School Senior Center. André Dirich from Green Valley Farms will speak on How to Grow Better Vegetables. Guests are welcome.
May 6: Spring Perennial Plant Exchange: 9am to 11am at the Salem-South Lyon Library. This is an annual event and is open to the public.
 
The Four Seasons Garden Club of South Lyon meets at the Center for Active Adults at the South Lyon High School on the 1st Tuesday of each month throughout the school year. Meetings and tours are held at member's homes during the summer months. Click Here for membership information.
 
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