Ready for Winter Sowing?

Repurposing milknjugsb into miningreenhouses

Sarah Pregitzer

Free Workshop features native seed sowing

Get ready for spring gardening with this Native Plant Winter Seed Sowing & Seed Ball Workshop. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) will host this “Make It & Take It” event on Saturday, January 11 from 10am – 12noon. It will take place at the NCEC office located at 432 Quarterline St, Newaygo, 49337, in the United Church of Christ building. 
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Everyone who has pre-registered will be able to make and take home native plant “seed balls” and/or mini-greenhouses. The event is free – however donations will be welcomed to help cover costs of the supplies. Eventbrite registration links can be found at the NCEC Facebook Event page; by scanning the QR Code; or by visiting the NCEC website calendar: www.nc-ec.org. Questions can be emailed to [email protected]. The workshop will be led by Sarah Pregitzer, Master Naturalist, Conservation
​Steward and NCEC Board Member.

“Winter is the best time to plant your native plant seeds to be ready for spring gardening,” stated Sarah. “We will sow native plant seeds in milk-jug mini-greenhouses or other containers. These will be set outside during the winter months. The temperature and moisture changes are needed for many native plant seeds to sprout when the weather begins to warm up. Then in spring the plants are ready to put into your garden!”

“We will also be making Seed Balls at the workshop,” adds Sarah. “Native plant seeds are set into balls of clay and dirt which protects them until spring. If you have a larger area to plant, these Seed Balls can then be tossed into the desired area in early spring. The seeds have a much better chance to sprout and grow than if you broadcast them on top of the soil.”

​The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is a local non-profit organization dedicated to bringing environmental awareness and activities to community members. Their Healthy Habitats programs are supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation and other generous donors. To learn more, visit www.nc-ec.org.

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Seed balls anyone?