January 2024
LTPL Grows Newsletter

                   
 
January
 
  Again I reply to the triple winds
  running chromatic fifths of derision
  outside my window:
                                  Play louder.
  You will not succeed. I am
  bound more to my sentences
  the more you batter at me
  to follow you.
                                  And the wind,
  as before, fingers perfectly
  its derisive music.
                
by: William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)
                  
 

Upcoming LTPL Grows Programs 
Growing Healthful Herbs   
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 6:30 pm

Recent news reports about heavy metals and other contaminants in commercially-grown herbs and spices are alarming, to say the least. The good news is that you can grow many of your favorite herbs at home where you can control most of the external forces that cause contamination: the soil, the air, and applications of agricultural chemicals. Many herbs need several months for germination and indoor growing, so January is the perfect month to seed the majority of healthful herbs to have them ready for planting outside in the spring. Join us to learn which herbs to grow and how to grow them, and how to use the LTPL Seed Library to find the seeds you need!
Seed Packaging Party!
In-Person Monday, February 5, 2024 at 6:30pm
 
Many hands make light work! Join us as we package donated seed for the LTPL Grows Seed Library. Enjoy meeting and conversing with other helpers as we fill and label seed packets. Be one of the first to see the new additions to the seed library! Snacks and drinks will be provided, as well as a special gift for all helpers.
Seed Starting Workshop
In person Monday, February 19, 2024 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!

 
Herb of the Month: Savory!
The January Herb of the Month is Savory 
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, properties, and uses of savory and a sample bag of organic savory suitable for cooking or tea. Seeds for Summer Savory will be available in the seed library in mid-January. Kits will be made available in the curbside pick-up area beginning Wednesday, January 3, 2023. To receive your kit, sign up here: 
 
 The Herb of the Month will be announced every month in the LTPL Grows newsletter and on the LTPL website. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here. 
 
Seed Library News
It's January!   
The LTPL Seed Library is open for business all year long with seasonally appropriate seeds added on an ongoing basis. As we enter the new year, we turn our attention to the alliums and herbs that need an extended time growing indoors before placing them outside. Look for new additions to the seed library just ahead of the upcoming program on "Growing Healthful Herbs" that will be held on Monday, February 5, at 6:30 pm.
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!
 
 
January Garden Calendar
In January:
  • Sow seeds indoors that require a long growing time before planting outdoors: alliums, Mediterranean herbs, etc. 
  • Take inventory of your garden seed supply, and consider the age of the seeds. Most seed remain viable for 3-4 years if stored in a cool, dark, and dry location. Make note of seeds that need to be replenished. 
  • Look at seed catalogs and seed company websites for ideas for next year's garden. Request catalogs from seed companies if you prefer paper catalogs.
  • Make sure houseplants are getting enough light, and adjust placement if necessary. Weak color and spindly stems mean the plant is stretching for light, so adding supplemental lighting and day length might be called for.
  • Check houseplants weekly for pests. Look for tiny webs, gnats, scale, or tufts of white fuzz. Treat with an soap or neem oil solution that is safe for you and your pets.
  • Check stored root vegetables weekly for quality and sprouting. 
  • Clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools so they are ready to use in the spring.
  • Take notes about your garden while it is still fresh in your mind. What did well, what didn't, and plans for next year. 
  • Information and online resources for starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL website. 
    Find additional resources for seed saving here:
New Gardening Books at LTPL
National Geographic Herbal: 100 Herbs From the World's Healing Traditions by Mimi Prunella Hernandez, M.S., R.H., Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild. 
Hernandez approaches herbs with a broad world view, adding tips on sustainably harvesting and using herbs gleaned from her 20 years in the practice of herbalism.
 
Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers by Marta McDowell
If you love a garden-themed mystery, this is the perfect book to pass the winter months while you're dreaming of spring. It might be cold outside, but your want-to-read list will certainly be growing strong!
Edible Houseplants: Grow Your Own Citrus, Coffee, Vanilla, and 43 Other Tasty Tropical Plants by Laurelynn G. Martin and Byron E. Martin, co-owners of Logee's Greenhouses in Danielson, CT.  
The authors share their decades of experience in selecting and caring for edible houseplants that will help you create an indoor edible oasis.
Michigan Gardener Magazine
 Michigan Gardener Magazine
Michigan Gardener Magazine will only be published once in May 2023. While all copies for this year have been distributed, you can visit the Michigan Gardener website for all of their newsletters and blog posts, and browse through digital back issues of the print magazine.
 

 
Four Seasons Garden Club News
Coming Events:
January Meeting: The January meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9. The topic of discussion is "Favorite Garden Tools." Members are encouraged to bring in their favorite tools for show and tell, and there will be a demonstration on sharpening garden tools.
February Meeting: The February Meeting will beheld on Tuesday, February 6. Andre Dietrich of Green Valley Farms will speak on Converting Lawns into Pollinator Habitat. 
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. Social time begins at 6:30 pm and the meeting begins at 7:00. Meetings and tours are held at member's homes during the summer months. Click Here for membership information.
 
Central Michigan Seed Swap
It's Seed Swap Time!
Join the largest Seed Swap in Michigan on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 11 am – 4 pm
Admission is FREE! This is a buy, sell or trade event. There will be food available for purchase and vendors selling seeds, books, and gardening supplies.
Bring seeds for trading. No seeds? No problem! Everyone is welcome and there will be a free seeds table and plenty of people to talk to about gardening and saving seeds.
The swap is growing larger every year, and in 2024 it will be held at:
Bullock Creek High School
1420 S Badour Rd,
Midland, MI 48640
The new venue comes with a giant 600 person auditorium!  Plan to see the best speakers in gardening, homesteading and sustainable living!
For more information visit the Central Michigan Seed Swap webpage
or the Central Michigan Seed Swap event page on Facebook
 
Podcasts 
Seeds & Weeds Podcast with Michigan's own Bevin Cohen 
Many of you will recognize Bevin Cohen from his many visits to LTPL as a presenter. Bevin (Ben) is an award winning author, herbalist, owner of Small House Farm and host of the popular Seeds & Weeds podcast. He lives and works with his wife, Heather, and two sons, Elijah and Anakin, on their family homestead in Sanford, Michigan.
Bevin offers workshops and lectures across the country on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs, and locally grown food. He is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications including Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms Magazine, and The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company Catalog. He is the author of four books, including Saving Our Seeds and The Artisan Herbalist. 
 
DNR Wildtalk Podcast - December 
In this episode of the "Wildtalk" podcast, we talk about all things habitat in the southwest region of Michigan and fly away with a discussion about pileated woodpeckers, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the elusive pine marten.
 
Artwork for 261. Laura Fernandez on Sowing Seeds of Sustainability with Garden DesignLaura Fernandez on Sowing Seeds of Sustainability with Garden Design: How transforming our front yards into edible landscapes can transform not only our own food security by also that of our local food systems and communities.
 
New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Click Photo to expand 
 
Additional Links & Resources (and they're free!)
True Leaf Market
DYI Bird Seed Ornaments
New Year's Eve: Reflection and Revelry
National Audubon Society logo     Audubon Great Lakes
Enchanting Owls: Your Guide to Great Lakes’ Winter Birds
  
Mother Earth News
How to Make Paper from Plants
Cold Hardy Plants: Grow Edible Fresh Greens Year-Round
 
Michigan State University
 
Ask MSU Extension: one to one questions answered by MSU Extension experts and MSU Master Gardener Volunteers
 
 
 DNR Logo 24 bit PNGDept of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy logoMDARD Logo
Get ready to run, walk, roll or hike your way across the starting line! Inspired by Bob Ross' love of the outdoors, the DNR's Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K is back for 2024 and has even expanded to states beyond Michigan. Proceeds from the event are used to support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. Learn more and register by March 1.
 
 
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